Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 4 on 9/9/2002.

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Romantic weddings in Scotland

Susan Nickalls says ‘I do’ to an in-depth examination of Scottish weddings

When it comes to fairy tale weddings, Scotland is the ultimate destination with its unique combination of history, tradition and romance. As well as boasting spectacular natural landscapes and the most magical castles in the world, Scotland's past is bursting with passionate and romantic figures such as Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Rob Roy.

No wonder Madonna chose to become Mrs Ritchie at Skibo Castle in the Highlands. But while she might have raised the country's profile as a wedding venue, truth be told, she jumped on an already runaway bandwagon. Couples have been coming to Scotland to tie the knot for hundreds of years. When England repealed the law that gave any citizen the right to perform a marriage ceremony, eloping couples trooped across the border to Gretna Green in their droves. It was a popular destination for underage couples and determined aristocrats. Writer and colonial reformer Edward Gibbon Wakefield abducted a 15-year-old heiress and tricked her into marrying him at Gretna in 1826, while there would be no Marquis of Queensberry and no Queensberry rules for boxing if his father Lord Archibald Drumlanrig had not married at Gretna.

It wasn't until 1940 in Scotland that the law was changed so anyone getting married had to have the ceremony conducted by a minister of religion or a civil marriage celebrant. Even today for young English couples wanting to get married, Scotland is often their only option with 18 being the minimum ag.....

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By Susan Nickalls

Section : Scottish Weddings

Page number : 58