A PERTHSHIRE couple have relived their new year nightmare—telling The Courier how a giant tree crashed to earth just inches from their home.

With a storm raging outside, Tom and Janet Watson had been planning to see in 2007 in the company of Janet’s brother and wife.

However, the celebration at their home near Pitlochry took a worrying turn as—just minutes before the bells—a 60ft tree slammed to the ground, scraping along the home’s conservatory windows.

Last night Mr Watson admitted the horrifying incident had ruined Hogmanay but insisted they had had a lucky escape.

The 64-year-old believes the whole house could have been destroyed.

“The consequences simply do not bear thinking about,” he remarked.

“We were sitting having a quiet drink when there was just an unbelievable ripping noise. There was then an enormous crash and the whole house shook.”

Mr Watson admitted his first feelings were of utter terror and confusion.

“It was extremely frightening,” he said.

“To be honest I did not really know what to think—it was like nothing I have experienced before.

“I looked at Janet and she was completely white.

“A massive copper beech tree had fallen and actually scraped down the conservatory windows.”

Mr Watson said daylight brought yet more shock.

“The tree was about 60ft high—if it had been any closer it could have destroyed the whole house.

“There is no doubt that it would have crashed straight through the roof.

“When I went out to inspect what had happened in more detail the next morning I got the shock of my life,” Mr Watson continued.

“The size of the tree was just incredible and when I realised how close it had come to the house it was terrifying.

“There was no sign that the tree was weak before—obviously it had come down with the wind but that just goes to prove how stormy it was.

“We were left really shaken and it certainly put a dampener on the new year celebrations; but, all things considered, we feel we had a lucky escape.”