It is fair to say that we had a super trip. We were well organised, covered a lot of ground in long but enjoyable days and met a large number of very hospitable Danes working in our sector.

We cemented relationships with old clients and made contact with new clients and their Danish legal advisers, presenting to them over a series of meetings and working dinners about the opportunities for estate and forestry purchases in Scotland and the myriad of other rural offerings available here. Forestry is seen by many as a very safe place to have your money these days.

We came away feeling buoyed up by the enthusiasm which we encountered for investment in rural Scotland and genuinely touched by the charm and warmth of the relationships we had made and strengthened.

Three weeks on we could never have imagined that we would be in lock down both in the UK and Denmark, but we are coping. Necessity is the mother of invention, so the saying goes, and we are all fired up and working from home. We are keeping calm and carrying on. If anything, this has strengthened working relationships within the office, and with colleagues in other firms in the same situation and most importantly, with our clients.

We are doing what we have always done by way of transactions, just changing the style of our communications to ensure that people keep safe and are coping in these crazy times. We are also refining our skill sets to participate in virtual board meetings and client meetings and, on a more light hearted note, Zoom Pilates classes and daily chats with our friends and colleagues!

 And of course, we have been back in touch with our Danish clients and connections. They are also on lock down until after Easter. This means that schools, all further education, restaurants, bars, hair dressers, fitness gyms and shopping centres are closed, and so are their Borders. They are not allowed to meet in public or private in groups of more than 10 persons and it is recommended that all travel inside Denmark is kept to an absolute minimum.

Needless to say they are also reporting that the restrictions are having a severe impact on family and business life.  

However, like us they take the view that the best way to return to normal daily life is to sit tight, pay close attention to your business, and try to take actions to ensure that the lock down period will cause as little damage and be as short as possible.

Put simply, the message is keep calm and carry on (and keep safe). We are here for you if any of you have issues you want to discuss or take advice on, and we will be here for the duration of this emergency, and beyond.