The lateness of the hour and darkening sky put paid to our plan to walk over the mountains from Glencoe back to Edinburgh. SJ suggested that we hitch a lift instead, so we took our chances in a gravelled lay-by, thumbs at the ready. Within minutes my fears were realised. In the pitch black a man, his dog, and toddler grandson made a combined attack on us.

Afterwards the grandfather kindly led us back to his house, where he introduced us to his family. I delivered a lecture on good manners to the child, who – by now – deeply regretted his actions. Finally the family thanked us for our participation with a delicious cup of weak leaf tea and arranged our safe transport home by car.

(In a related scene, on the grounds that this was no longer the fashion, SJ begged me not to change into pyjamas to present my conference paper.)