Am Bratach No. 201
Wedding in a romantic setting Castle Varrich, the ruined castle overlooking the village and Kyle of Tongue, believed by some to have been a stopping off place for the bishop of Caithness on his visits to Durness in the late Middle Ages, was a centre of attraction on Saturday, June 21 — Midsummer’s Day — at three o’clock when family and friends gathered to witness local painter and decorator Scott Coghill and German-born Silke Plass exchanged marriage vows. The couple, who have two children Euphemia Esther (Phoebe, aged 3) and Girlinde Letitia (Girlie, 2), were intent on holding their wedding ceremony outdoors and anxiously monitored the weather forecast before to their big day. Although skies were cloudy and overcast it remained fine for the entire ceremony, much to the relief of all who attended. The dramatic background was an appropriate choice since their home overlooks the castle, perhaps the oldest stone building in the north of Scotland, which will be now become a daily reminder of their special day. “It’s our backyard after all. That’s were we go when we need a breath of fresh air, a step out of the ordinary and everyday life for a while,” said Silke. A quad bike and trailer, driven by Scott’s son, Darren, provided transport for most of the wedding party although many guests chose to walk, the odd pair of wellies and hiking boots in evidence. Scott, who grew up in Tongue, and his best men, brothers Keith, a joiner, and Darren, a graphic designer who had travelled from Innsbruck, Austria, patiently awaited the arrival of the bride. Silke, along with expectant mother, matron of honour, Regina Cromack, who had flown in from Melbourne, Australia, bridesmaids Girlinde, Euphemia and step-daughter Amy Beth, were piped by Tongue lass, Emma Macleod, a pupil at Farr High School, Bettyhill, to the standing stone below the castle where the ceremony took place. Rev Kristin Ofstad, a Norwegian minister of the United Reformed Church in Thurso, who had agreed to carry out the ceremony outdoors regardless of weather conditions, gave a captivating and moving service. After vows were exchanged everyone enjoyed a glass of champagne to toast the happy couple. Later guests made their way down to the reception held at Tongue village hall where the appearance of two large wooden carvings, by Andrew Chadwick of Visions Created, normally in view in a woodland in Forss, Caithness, caused quite a stir, as did Durness band, Blue Ridge, who kept everyone on their toes until well after midnight. Silke, originally from Keil, a village in the north of Germany, first came to Scotland in 2001, to be close to her then Glaswegian boyfriend and made a life for herself in Greenock. Becoming restless with city life in 2003, a life changing experience for Silke in more ways than one occurred when she resigned from her job at a call centre with IBM in Greenock and headed for the hills, intent on sightseeing around the Highlands. It was while in the Craggan Hotel, Melness, enjoying a coffee when she met proprietor Hamish Mackay who told her they were looking for staff. She applied and found herself a new job — and shortly afterwards, a new man — when Scott became somewhat of a “regular” in the bar. The couple both share a love of the Highlands and are keen hill walkers when time allows. Scott, who has been a painter and decorator for over twenty-five years, and carried on the family decorating business after his father Sinclair died several years ago, enjoys fishing and has recently become proud owner of a small boat which he is restoring. Although Silke has not indulged in her hobby for some time, she loves diving and has enjoyed diving in many parts of Scotland. Talking of her wedding day, Silke said: “We both loved the ceremony and think that Kristin captured the essence of our life together and the meaning of the landscape for us and transformed it into that service, never mind her willingness to go for it, rain or shine!” PHOTO: M Brookes
Roper |