Catalans Abroad
Bibiana Mas
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A land of cold beauty
“In the UK, we entreprenuers have a fair amount of support from the local authorities” “Without doubt the best thing about Scotland is its people and the breathtaking landscapes”
Why did you leave Catalonia?
I have always been a curious person, and getting to know other realities enriches my soul. It was a family decision. We had just been through an economic crisis and the desire to live in the UK was growing and growing. We were sure that a better future awaited us if we dared to live a new life in a different country
Why did you choose Great Britain?
We knew that we wanted to go to live in an English-speaking country: the UK, Canada or New Zealand. One of the things that hurts the most when you decide to make a life in another country is leaving your family and friends. So choosing the UK was probably the least unreasonable. We would have the best of a country that is open to the world and, at the same time, we would be close to the people we love.
Are you happy with the job opportunities you found in your adoptive country?
Here in the UK almost everything is possible. Well, now things are a bit more complicated, Brexit and the pandemic are taking their toll on us. But yes, I can say that I am happy with the opportunities that this country has given me: I went back to university, I worked on my own while taking care of my daughters and now I am starting my own project, a book publishing house in which I will publish translations into English of books written by women in minority languages. Here in the UK we entrepreneurs have a fair amount of support from the local authorities, you just have to be aware of the resources and help they offer.
What do you think is the best thing about living there?
Scotland is a beautiful country. The best thing about this country is, without doubt, its people and the breathtaking landscapes.
What would you most like to change?
Without hesitation the cold and the rain. Although I love the long days in summer, during winter we have too many hours of darkness, and I won’t deny that it’s a bit of a struggle.
What do you miss most from home?
I miss family and friends. And going out without thinking if it is going to rain. And also the Mediterranean sea, Cadaqués, and seeing Monserrat every day.
What characterises your neighbourhood?
Broughty Ferry is on the east coast of Scotland, between Edinburgh and Aberdeen. It is a small village belonging to Dundee. It is at the mouth of the river Tay, and the beach, which kisses the North Sea, is charming. The beach is always changing and wild, under the gaze of the castle of Broughty Ferry. It is also a very quiet village, ideal for families with children.
What is the best experience you’ve had in your adoptive country?
That my family and I have always felt at home. Scotland is a very open country, with many pioneering social policies. Its people are open-minded and never question why you are here, on the contrary, they are proud to welcome everyone from all over the world. Oh! I also had one of my best experiences when I went on a boat for dolphin spotting. I love dolphins.
What is the best kept secret about the area?
From July to September you can spot dolphins swimming just off the Broughty Ferry beach. It’s absolutely beautiful! And if you want you can go on a boat trip to see the dolphins at really close distance.
Do you plan to go back to Catalonia?
My heart is divided. Although I am doing very well here in Scotland, I can’t help missing Catalonia. Now I can’t think about going back home, my daughters have their life here, but when they are older I don’t rule it out.
CATALANS ABROAD Dundee, Scotland
SOME SUGGESTIONS:
Where are the best places for visitors to stay?
I would recommend any small hotel in Broughty Ferry. And if you want to be closer to the city of Dundee, I would recommend staying near the City Quay.
What do you consider the highlights for any brief visit for the first time?
You shouldn’t miss the Broughty Ferry beach and the V&A Museum in Dundee. The most beautiful places to visit around the area where I live are St. Andrews, Stonehaven and the stunning Dunnottar Castle.
And if visitors have more time or make a return visit?
All of Scotland is worth exploring. North, South, East, West, the Highlands and the Islands!
Can you recommend a place to have lunch with friends?
I would recommend a place called Gracies. It’s a beautiful small restaurant on the main street of Broughty Ferry. They serve very good food, including vegan options.
Where would you have a special dinner for two?
I would definitely go to Gallery 48, a unique space in the core of Dundee’s Cultural Quarter that offers a flexible, innovative, social environment fusing the finest tapas, a handpicked selection of Spanish wines and an array of contemporary gins with ground-breaking exhibitions by local and international creatives.
When is the best time of year to plan a visit?
I would say in July. Although it is when most Scots have their holidays. We cannot forget that it’s also the month of the year in which you can feel, even if it’s just a little, the summer. Foto
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