'It felt amazing' Elgin woman reunited with family in Inverness after coronavirus lockdown
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CHILDCARE practitioner Claire Ironside admitted "it felt amazing" to be reunited with her family in Inverness after 15 weeks separated by lockdown.
Claire (35), of Ashgrove in Elgin, last saw her parents Helen (64) and John Ironside (72) on March 7.
She had not seen her sister Emma (31), her brother in law John, or niece Olivia (3) and nephew Jacob (11 months) also.
The close family have kept in touch through video calls, however the easing of lockdown with a move to phase two gave them the opportunity to meet up again in person.
Claire and her boyfriend Ben Mortimer, a piper with the Queen's Own Highlanders in Inverness and also Forres and District Pipe Band, travelled through to Kirkhill to meet the family to surprise her dad on Father's Day and meet up with all the family on Sunday.
"As it was Father's Day and my boyfriend is a piper, he piped us into the street where my parents live. It was only my sister and brother in law that knew we were visiting so my parents were so surprised when we arrived. It was such a lovely reunion.
"I have a three-year-old niece and 11-month-old nephew who also were full of smiles and excitement.
"We were chasing bubbles around and playing football. There were a few tears. This has been the longest I have gone without seeing my family."
Claire, who works at the Magic Roundabout, has been furloughed since lockdown was introduced on March 23.
Claire plans to meet up with the family again on July 11 to celebrate Jacob's first birthday.
Scotland has moved into Phase 2 of the four-phase route map out of the crisis. The changes include extended household groups, under which people who live on their own or only with children under-18 can meet people from one other household indoors without social-distancing measures.
We would like to share the happiness and joy of reunions. If you would like to share your reunion with us, we would love to see your photos and help spread the happiness.
Send your photos to newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk, with a brief description of who is being reunited and how good it feels to be together again.
