On 7th December 2021, we received a letter notifying us that we could no longer use the word Hobbit in Hobbit Hideaway. It came as quite a shock, as you can imagine!  I read and re-read the letter, then called the contact number just to check that it wasn't a scam. It wasn't,  we had no choice, and only 14 days to think up a new name.  Help!

So what's in a name? This phrase was used by Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet: 'What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet'. A name gives power to a word. It adds meaning and depth, it is filled with associations, memories, thoughts, and feelings. It's a big responsibility to give a name. I named four of my five daughters and thankfully only one changed  hers!

So we came up with a temporary name of Coorie Hideaway and removed the word Hobbit, just to give us a little time. We then put a call-out over social media and asked our followers for ideas. Heelan Hideaway was a favourite so we tried that out. We loved every single suggestion, not because they were the perfect names, but because people had taken the time and effort to share them. We were touched by the generosity of spirit and love for our special place, which is quite a gift. It made us realise just how much folk cared. But we had just not found The One Name!

Now, to be perfectly honest, I always thought that we were not quite hobbitsy enough to be a true hobbit hole. I frequently checked in with our hardcore LOTR fan visitors, just to ensure that we hadn't let them down with the lack of round doors, or not being buried into the hillside. Apparently, we were doing just fine, and one kind soul even exclaimed that not only was the hideaway hobbitsy enough, but we were also creating a Shire!

So the natural charm and magic had more than compensated for the lack of a round green door, and besides which, our intention was never to replicate a "perfect" hobbit hole. Our Hideaway is a magical place, and it really suited its name; it made people happy and that's always been our priority.

Seven days later, after many sleepless nights and a dose of the winter lurgie (PCR test negative!), I was inside the hideaway cleaning when two of my gorgeous daughters (both Scorpios for those interested) dropped by to visit. They suggested a few names, which led to us having a wee brainstorming session under the roof dome. And then it happened. I said, "Hideaway Under the Stars" and we all liked it!. I slept on it and didn't wake in the morning thinking, nope that's not The One. It felt just right. Each day I questioned myself and it was still The One. So I put it out to our followers and the majority of folk liked it and thought it captured the essence of our special place.

It seemed like a good fit, possibly a little long and a bit of a mouthful, but it kind of feels a wee bit magical and special.  Practically speaking, Speyside is renown for its vast dark skies and lack of light pollution and we will always be unique and magical with starlight twinkling through the roof dome. And let face it, stars are ancient, celestial and don't come with any trade marks or intellectual property rights prohibiting the use of the word as a name!

Ridiculous or fortuitous?!