An Army veteran has turned his heartbreak into a rolling tribute to the Scotland team ahead of the World Cup.
Colin Carroll, from Cranhill in Glasgow, has decked out his beloved Mini Cooper in Saltires and tartan as the country gears up for their first World Cup since 1998. The motor belonged to his late partner Robert Paterson who passed away while the couple were on holiday in Benidorm on December 30, 2019.
View 5 ImagesColin and his late-partner Robert(Image: Supplied)
The tartan-clad motor is Colin’s way of keeping Robert’s memory alive while paying tribute to the national squad.
Colin said: “Robert was a massive fan of Scotland. It was one of the many things we bonded over.
“It has been a long time waiting for Scotland to reach another World Cup. I wish he was here to see it. The place is absolutely buzzing already for the tournament.”
View 5 ImagesColin has a TikTok called CocoTVTime(Image: Supplied)
The former Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders soldier revealed the Mini had been Robert’s favourite car and after his death he struggled to even look at it.
He said: “My partner loved the car, it was his favourite. After he died while on holiday in Benidorm, I was going to sell it. It reminded me too much of Robert and who I had lost.
“It had too much sentimental value for me though that’s the reason why I wanted to customise it – out of respect for Robert, Scotland and to put a smile on everyone’s face who we pass by.”
View 5 ImagesColin can’t wait for the World Cup(Image: Supplied)
In a cruel blow, Colin was diagnosed with cancer just three months after losing Robert. But after a five-year battle, he received the all clear on April 13 last month.
He said: “Bereavement took so much out of me and will never go away but it, alongside my cancer diagnosis, has given me a new outlook on life.
“It’s made me realise how special and precious life is and we must grasp it. It has inspired me to live life to the fullest.
“You can only live in the moment. I live everyday by the motto – Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery.”
View 5 ImagesThe car is decked out in Saltires(Image: Supplied)
Colin and his Scotland themed mini has become a social media sensation too. He has been documenting his journey customising it on TikTok and YouTube after years of unimaginable pain.
He added: “It’s been hard dealing with life since Robert’s death but starting my TikTok and YouTube channel has helped give me peace mentally.
“The reaction so far has been amazing. A Glasgow tour bus even drove by and all the tourists got off and took photos with it. It was unreal.”
“I now want to bring a smile to the faces of everyone who helped me get through all of this hardship and support my country at the World Cup.”
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