IT rained on golden girl Heather Stanning’s parade yesterday.
But it did not stop hundreds braving the downpour to welcome the 27-year-old Olympic rowing champion back to Moray.
Cheering fans waving Union flags lined the streets as she was driven past in an open-top Army Land Rover, appropriately by Sapper Dean Gold.
Hundreds of schoolchildren in Elgin’s High Street cheered as Army captain Heather jumped from the vehicle and ran along the crowd touching their hands and letting kids hold her medal.
For Heather, from Lossiemouth, who took gold in the women’s pairs with Helen Glover, it was a homecoming to remember.
She said: “Coming along the street was amazing. Seeing all the kids was absolutely brilliant.
“If I can inspire one person to achieve their dreams, that would be fantastic. But I’m hoping there will be a few more than one.
“It doesn’t have to be rowing or even sport. Follow that dream.”
Scott Grant and his son, Jack, two, had their picture taken with Heather. Scott said: “It was brilliant to meet an Olympic champion. Jack was very excited.”
Also in the crowd were Ailsa Spark, 10, and Georgia Ettles, 11, of Bishopmill Junior School.
Ailsa said: “We got to see Heather and the medal. It was amazing.”
Georgia said: “Fantastic. It is all very exciting and we are pleased to welcome her home”
At Money Shop pawnbrokers, manageress Amy Robertson had her picture taken with Heather.
Amy said: “I offered her £500 for the medal. She just laughed.”
One of Heather’s family friends, Sandy Christie, 32, from Elgin but now working in London, was there in his Union Jack boilersuit. He said: “I’ve known Heather and her family for 20 years. It’s been a fabulous homecoming and we’re all very proud of what she has achieved.”
Heather then went to the County Hall with her parents, former Royal Navy officers Tim and Mary, where she was presented with a scroll by Moray Council.
But Heather’s break in Lossie will be busy.
She will visit local schools, including Gordonstoun, which she attended, to show off her medal and inspire the younger generation.
She said: “I have been meeting up with friends and family. It’s been an odd mixture of things.
“I just feel like myself. I’m surrounded by great friends and family who I’m sure will bring me back down to earth very quickly.”
And Heather, who was born in Yeovil, Somerset, but has lived in Lossie since she was eight, is now looking to the future.
She said: “I’ll keep training and go back to work. I got a lovely box with the medal but I don’t think I’ll keep it in there. I want to show it to people. There’s no point in having a gold medal and keeping it locked away.
“I’m going to rest for a few weeks, then it’s back to Army life – and a possible posting to Afghanistan.”
And her thoughts have already turned to the Olympics in Rio.
She said: “I have not decided yet. It’s another four years. If my body can stay injury free, then yes.”
