Sir David Attenborough has been reunited with a woman 35 years after he gatecrashed her third birthday party – when his hot air balloon crashlanded on a Scots farm.
Julie Paterson was just three when the broadcasting legend was involved in an emergency landing in Earnieside Farm in Dunning Glen by Dollar, Clackmannanshire.
Sir David, who was wearing a space suit and moon boots, knocked on the door of the family farm and was greeted by Julie’s dad.
James, now 64, told his daughter the surprise visitor had landed to wish her a happy birthday.
The strange encounter came back to the fore when Sir David told the story - complete with comedy Scottish accent - at an Edinburgh charity gala for the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Sir David was left speechless when host Dermot Murnaghan told him: “What would you do if I told you the same little girl works for the People’s Postcode Lottery and is in the audience tonight?”
Sir David, 90, gripped his chair in shock, stood up and put his arms out and said: “Where is she?”
Julie, now 37 and a marketing manager for the Postcode Lottery, then walked to stage in Prestonfield House where she was greeted with a huge hug as the audience, which included Prince Charles, cheered and applauded.
Sir David then whispered in Julie’s ear: “Tell your Dad I am really sorry about my terrible Scottish impersonation.”
Marketing manager Julie said: “It was a magical moment.
“The story of Sir David Attenborough and the BBC film crew landing a hot air balloon on our farm on my birthday has been told time and time again in my family.
“The Life on Earth book and letter he sent my parents after spending the day with us have been treasured.
“For our paths to cross again 35 years later was so very special.
“It was an emotional night for us all.”
After the reunion Julie gave Sir David a copy of a letter which featured her recollection of July 23, 1982.
She wrote: “I remember it was a very sunny morning, I was with my dad looking out from the back door to a hot air balloon coming down to land on our farm.
“It was my 3rd birthday and one of my earliest memories.
“I’m told you, along with Andrew Buchanan and a BBC film crew unexpectedly landed on Earnieside that morning because you were in the flight path of Edinburgh Airport, but I thought this gigantic balloon was for my birthday.
“Being three, my memories are limited but I think I made you a cup of tea (water!) from a bright yellow playhouse (which was my real birthday present).
“My parents however remember much clearer that you and the crew spent the whole day at Earnieside whilst our tractor helped to recover the balloon.”
The story has since become a family classic and, thankfully, Julie has the pictures to back it up.
She said: “You might imagine this day is a favourite story our family have often reminisced about.
“I did base my first public speech (age 7) on this exciting ‘birthday’.
“To my heartfelt disappointment, my primary school teacher did not believe me.
“Mum promptly sent me into school the very next day with ‘Life on Earth’ to prove it actually did happen.
“Life on Earth and the letter you wrote my parents after your visit to Earnieside has been treasured.
“So much so, my dad only finally trusted me to be their safe keeper on my birthday a few years ago.”
Before Sir David left Scotland yesterday he signed a copy of his memoirs for Julie.
And he told her boss: “I wish I had known and I wish I had spent more time with her.”
