At Aikwood Tower

The 1993 midsummer junketing of the Scottish writer’s group of Pen International was held at Aikwood Tower in the Ettrick valley, an old tower house restored by Sir David and Lady Steel, which has become not only their home but also a public place for gatherings, literary, artistic and social.

Judy Steel had made lunch, which ended, appropriately, with junket. The delicate, flower-scented curd had been set with rennet in large crystal bowls, on top of which (following an old recipe) she had poured an inch-thick layer of whipped cream. Her original summer symbol was a scattering of shocking pink rose petals from old-fashioned rose bushes in the garden, which had been thrown over the cream just before serving.