During a recent trip to Dunedin I visited New Zealand’s only castle which is an important and much loved piece of Dunedin history. Built in 1871 by William Larnach, a merchant and politician born of Scottish parents, Larnach Castle is absolutely stunning, it has been carefully restored to its original Victorian grandeur, and its beautiful rooms and magnificent gardens are open to the public 365 days a year. The castle boasts a 3,000 square foot ballroom, which hosts high teas, and a tower commanding sweeping views of the picturesque Otago Peninsula

Dunedin most definitely has a stately Scottish feel to it, from the architecture, shops and street signs which pay homage as well as bars that proudly present their own selection of malts and whiskeys. Golf courses, pipe bands and the Highlanders rugby team are just a few of the many examples of the loud-and-proud Scottish identity on show.

They even have their own Haggis (traditional Scottish meal) ceremonies using local fine produce.

So the unique piece of New Zealand Jewellery which most reminds me of Dunedin is:

Scottie Dog Charm GCH15 Often owned by celebrities, the 32nd president of the USA was Franklin D Roosevelt who had Fala and Meggie. Other USA presidents to have Scotties were Dwight Eisenhower with Telek and George w Bush with Barney and Miss Beazley. I hadn’t realised that David Bowie also had a Scottie.

Our cute wee Scottie Dog Charm is actually modelled on these steadfastly loyal dogs which the “Mother” and “Father” of our Ariki family have owned over the years. So what a better way to acknowledge this very special breed of dog than to have your very own Scottie Dog charm on your own bracelet.