They felt his blog was the perfect way to encourage his fellow Americans to cross the Atlantic to holiday here – so they invited the couple to make another trip, on them.
When Mr DeBaun began his blog, it was his first time in Scotland and he was keen to document some of our more endearing quirks, and poke gentle fun at our occasional faults, by shunning the popular selfie hotspots.
After covering more than 1,300 miles by hire car from the Central Belt to the Orkneys, he produced a blog highlighting the 'ridiculously rainy and windy' climate and the unwillingness of hotels to provide hairdryer sockets in bathrooms or a waste basket any larger than a "coffee can" in their rooms.
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A YANK IN SCOTLAND - DAY 2, SHOT 1
Scottish ingenuity at it's best. To keep the number of discarded cigarettes on the...
Posted by Christian DeBaun on Wednesday, 31 August 2016
His observations from that September 2016 trip went viral after he posted them on Facebook, revealing to a worldwide audience his preference for Glasgow over Edinburgh, his readiness to plunge wholeheartedly into the mayhem of an Old Firm day – and his delight at discovering virtual strangers standing each other drinks in the pub.
A guild sign in front of Gladstone's House - an educational tourist attraction that was empty - even in the heart of...
Posted by Christian DeBaun on Wednesday, 31 August 2016
"I never imagined the response I would get to the list," he says. "My wife is a travel agent and has travelled extensively so that when she recommends places to her clients she has a better idea of the climate, the food, the culture, the music, the religion, everything.
"It just makes you a more wellrounded travel agent. Sometimes it makes it easier to notice different customs. We were immediately struck by the friendliness of Scottish people and we are honoured to be asked to work as 'travel influencers' for VisitScotland in the hope of introducing more Americans to the wonders of your great country."
Last time, the couple headed from Edinburgh, taking in Pitlochry, Inverness, John O'Groats, Orkney, Skye, Glencoe and Glasgow. This time, they have revisited many of those places, but the focus has been on talking to locals rather than seeing the sights.
"I have been chatting to people about their lives and jobs and so forth," Mr DeBaun says. "I have avoided politics, but Brexit and Indyref 2 did come up once or twice, as did Trump. When people ask about him, I just say, 'I'm terribly sorry', and change the subject. People seem quite forgiving.
"We've been fly-fishing near Perth, then up to Kirriemuir so I could kiss the Bon Scott statue on the cheek because I'm a huge AC/ DC fan, then we did chocolate making with Cocoa Ooze's founder Jimmy Hutcheon in Aberdeen."
Mr DeBaun, 56, was especially excited to return to Glasgow, sharing a fondness for Scotland's largest city with his countryman, the late lamented celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, who once memorably described it as "notorious for its hard drinking, hard living, hard ass citizenry – and its uniquely merciless sense of humour".
In 2016, the DeBauns found themselves touring Glasgow on an open-topped bus during the buildup to an Old Firm match.
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A YANK IN SCOTLAND - DAY 7, SHOT 1
A fellow named Alan, and his 3 deerhounds we met in front of the cathedral in...
Posted by Christian DeBaun on Wednesday, 7 September 2016
He recalls: "Every time we stopped outside a pub, the guys would start cheering and they would see me with a camera and they'd wave and hoot and holler. It wasn't until later that somebody said you have to be very careful what colours you wear to what pubs."
Later that night, the couple braved an Irish bar close to the city's Central Station.
"It's kind of a dive and there was a whole bunch of yelling and shouting going on outside the place as Rochelle and I walked back to our hotel after dinner and
I said, 'Wow, that sounds like trouble – let's go in and have a drink!'"
"There was a loud rock band playing and the floor was so sticky it would pull the tread right off the soles of your shoes.
"And if you've seen the movie Trainspotting, you can imagine what the toilets were like! We still had a wonderful time."
His most cherished memory of Scotland – apart from the stunning vistas – was the warmth of welcome the couple encountered at the Clachaig Inn at Glencoe, a well-known haunt of the mountain climbing community.
On his blog, he posted: "I wish America had the 'buy the next round of drinks rule'. I did it for some lads about to climb Ben Nevis the next day for charity, and it was one of the best memories from my trip. We are now friends!"
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A YANK IN SCOTLAND - DAY 4, SHOT 2
Patience. Stirling Castle. Wait until the tourists leave the scene, get rained on,...
Posted by Christian DeBaun on Saturday, 3 September 2016
He adds: "Buying a round really doesn't happen in America. It might happen between two or three old friends, but in Scotland it seems to happen among groups, some of whom hardly know each other. Last time, when we were in the Clachaig Inn, there were a bunch of guys playing pool and I decided I wanted to get in on the action.
"I bought the next game of pool and pretty soon people were buying rounds of drinks. It was just a great example of the friendliness and camaraderie in the country. We'd love to see more of this in the States."
Other observations would have his growing band of social media followers nodding enthusiastically, including his assertions that the Scots "invented almost everything that is cool" and that "driving in Scotland (especially down the side of Loch Lomond) is a terrifying death sport", while his exasperation with British electrical safety standards may leave them scratching their heads.
"In America, you just plug your device in and away you go. Why would I need a switch on the socket? It's like the shavers-only rule in the bathroom. When was the last time you saw anyone use a corded shaver? Rochelle's been driven mad because she cannot use a hairdryer in the bathroom.
"Meanwhile, at the canal locks at Fort Augustus, the sides are totally unprotected. I mean, a little child could just fall into the water. In the States, there would be security cameras, railings, chain link fences, all these things, danger and warning signs all over the place, so the Scots live dangerously compared to Americans. But I just don't understand this shavers-only rule in the bathroom."
Mr DeBaun is still collating a new list of observations from his latest trip, but says: 'I'm keeping them to myself right now, although one thing I will say is that Scots don't really go in for bumper stickers on their cars.
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A YANK IN SCOTLAND - DAY 8, SHOT 2
The Standing Stones of Stenness - Neolithic. And yes, I had to lie on some sheep rubbish to make this shot.
Posted by Christian DeBaun on Thursday, 8 September 2016
"I got a bunch of my own printed out with the words 'Haste Ye Back' and I've been passing them out to people. I think a couple of restaurant owners said they were going to put them on their front doors. I'm still not sure any will end up on cars, even though they're free."
It seems that some things will never quite translate across the Atlantic, although Mr DeBaun is still hopeful the concept of the "round" will catch on.
A YANK IN SCOTLAND – Post Trip Observations(Some good, some peculiar, some not good – your mileage may vary).
1) Scotland embraces alternative energy – windmills everywhere. I wish we did the same. Shame on us.
2) The small, old distilleries are the best.
3) Americans should be friendlier; the Scots have us beat by a mile for openness, love, and general happiness.
4) There are no bathrooms in Scotland on the roads. I plan to start a page called "Peeing By the Roadside".
5) I saw exactly 2 police cars in Scotland (1,100 miles covered). One cop parked and texting on his cell phone near a roundabout in Glasgow, the other smoking a cigarette by his car in Glencoe. Nothing like the US.
6) There are no billboards in Scotland.
7) I never saw a jet contrail in Scotland, nor a small (personal) aircraft.
8) Driving in Scotland (especially down the side of Loch Lomand) is a terrifying death sport. Scotland could use some wider roads.
9) Everything is metric, except for cars and distances. It made my head hurt.
10) Its ridiculously windy. Everywhere.
10B) It's ridiculously rainy. Everywhere.
11) It's hard to find places the tourists haven't been to. Our planet is shrinking.
12) Scotland has the best vistas I've ever seen.
13) Motorcycling in Scotland is a big deal.
14) I hate electrical outlets with a switch on them.
14B) Shavers are allowed in bathrooms, but not hair dryers. Crazy.
15) The Scots invented almost everything that is cool.
16) Trash cans in Scottish hotel rooms are always the size of a coffee can (you can fit one Kleenex and an empty bag of crisps inside – and that's it. The foot pedal (to open the can) is usually dirty.
17) The grass is really green, and lush.
18) Americans fret about haggis. It's F'ng awesome.
19) I wish America had the "buy the next round of drinks rule". I did it for some lads about to climb Ben Nevis (Glencoe) the next day for charity, and it was one of the best memories from my trip. We are now friends!
20) If you are new to Glasgow on "Firm" days, stay clear of the pubs until the dust settles. Watch the colors you wear.
21) Saturday night in Glasgow is amazing, vibrant, and a bit crazy.
22) Good Cullen skink is almost better than whisky.
23) Everyone wants to see Edinburgh (we were a bit bored there), when Glasgow is the place to see!
Most of all - We were always received with warmth and graciousness all across this beautiful country by everyone. If you are ever in central Virginia (USA) look me up. Dinner and a pint will be on me.
With love and deep respect,
Chris
