Wedding Day

Giving your daughter away is a strange phrase in the 21st century and this photo explains why it is not an easy thing to do.

Princesses all

The weather held for Eva and Simon's wedding and guests from far and wide enjoyed a short, good humoured and wise service from Mrs Cloggie, the minister, at the Trossachs church in its idyllic surroundings. Then we had a treasure hunt to find the reception 20 miles away at Duntreath Castle, where Arthur piped us in from the battlements of the tower. Duntreath provided a superb setting for the reception and ceilidh. The reception was in the grounds and prosecco lubricated the occasion as friends from Denmark, Germany, Italy and Ireland mingled with folk from all corners of the UK. The children thought they were in a fairy tale and the gardens were magnificent in their late summer plumage.

We ate the best of Scottish produce prepared by an exceptional local chef, Jane Wilson. This included smoked salmon, halibut, lamb and a strawberry meringue wedding cake. This was followed by Lancashire, Scottish and Yorkshire cheeses, real ale from a microbrewery in Simon's home village, more wine and a collection of malt whisky. Sky lanterns were assembled and climbed swiftly and twinkled brightly against the black sky as they drifted northwards. The dancing resumed with an effervescent ceilidh band and a full dance floor before exhaustion, carriages and auld lang syne converged at midnight.

It appears to have been a great success with messages pouring in from all points staggered at the stunning locations and the guest easy atmosphere that seemed to percolate throughout the day and lift the spirits of all.

Granny

Sky Lanterns rise from the terrace