Do ewe take this man? Day the loneliest shepherdess was lonely no more...
SHE once penned a memoir about her solitary life as Britain’s loneliest shepherdess.
But despite her prediction that she would be a perpetual singleton, Emma Gray has finally tied the knot – and her beloved sheepdogs were the guests of honour.
The 32-year-old walked down the aisle in Kelso Town House, Roxburghshire, on Friday to her new husband Ewan Irvine, who celebrated his 40th birthday on the day of the nuptials.
Following a civil ceremony in front of family and friends, the couple then headed back to her childhood farm, still owned by her parents in Hawick, for a reception and photo shoot.
And in the hardworking spirit that saw her crowned Britain’s youngest shepherdess nine years ago, the new Mrs Irvine said she plans to celebrate her honeymoon by competing in front of 12,000 people at this week’s International Sheepdog Trial in Co Down, Northern Ireland.
Mrs Irvine, already an awardwinning dog trainer, said: ‘I’m very happy. I’d just about settled for being single forever.
‘I always hoped I would find the right person and now I have.’
The couple met on dating app Tinder three years ago and last year Mr Irvine, from Penicuik, Midlothian, popped the question.
Mrs Irvine said that as well as taking on a new bride, her husband has learnt to command her sheepdogs – with the aim of joining her in the top ranks of the nation’s sheepdog trial circuit.
She said: ‘Ewan’s a full-time firefighter but he still helps around the farm.’
The new Mrs Irvine hit the headlines at 23 when a heartbreaking split from her fiancé prompted her to convince the National Trust to give her sole tenancy of the 150-acre Fallowlees Farm, Northumberland, making her Britain’s youngest shepherdess. The property has no mains electricity or gas.
She then won the affections of thousands, gaining the nickname Little Bo Peep, when in 2012 she wrote One Girl and Her Dog, a memoir of farm life.
Mrs Irvine has appeared in several television series including BBC’s Countryfile, Tales of Northumberland with Robson Green and ITV’s Flockstars.
When the couple announced their engagement on Facebook, she wrote: ‘The loneliest shepherdess just got engaged to this handsome son of a gun.’
Yesterday she said: ‘A massive thank you to everyone who came to our party on Friday night and those who sent us good wishes.
‘And lastly thanks to Ewan who has kindly taken on a hell of a role in being married to me.’
‘Hoped I would find the right person’