Denise Robertson reveals her top holiday destinations

This Morning agony aunt Denise Robertson loves Loch Linnhe.

“My only holiday as a child was to Middleton-in-Teesdale and I’m afraid I don’t have fond memories.

“I’m sure it’s a lovely place and I wouldn’t want to insult it. But when I was there it was wartime and there was real austerity.

“We stayed on a farm as my mother thought we might get some bacon and eggs. We did, but I still found the countryside quite frightening.

“Maybe it’s just a child thing. I remember taking my children to France when we didn’t have much money, thinking it’d be a great experience for them. But all they did was whinge because they wanted to be back home with friends.

“My absolute favourite place in the world is the shores of Loch Linnhe, Argyll. We stay in Onich. We were there this year I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been.

“It has the most lovely, unspoiled countryside and I love to go into Fort William and shop.

“A few years ago we were there and I was wondering how my four dogs were doing. I was in a shop that had some lovely stuffed toy dogs and unknown to me my husband bought one, hid it in the car and gave it to me at home.

“We called it McTavish. I was featured in a magazine and letters flooded in from This Morning readers who’d spotted it in the photo and wanted one. We sent out details and a lot of people have a McTavish now.

“The last time I was there I discovered a wonderful restaurant, the Seafood Caf, and had the most wonderful scallops. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.

“Another place I’m very fond of is Nice. We went last year by Eurostar and despite everyone telling me French trains were marvellous, I didn’t think they were anything as good as East Coast mainline. But I was very fond of Nice when we arrived.

“I’m no sun worshipper so I liked that it was warm without being oppressive. There was something about it, maybe the pace of life.

“I went up to the Eze, the medieval fort, and you can jump on a bus and pop into Monte Carlo. I often take notes when I’m away as I used Nice as part of the setting of a novel and I’ve used Onich in the past.”

Denise Robertson has been the agony aunt on ITV’s This Morning since it began back in 1988. Now 82, Denise’s wise words have helped thousands and she’s one of the show’s most familiar and popular faces.

Sunderland-born Denise has been awarded an MBE in 2006 and is also a very successful author. Denise is involved in This Morning’s Adoption Week, which starts on Monday, November 3, on ITV at 10.30am.