Perthshire railway station the perfect platform for true love

US actor pops question to girlfriend 40 years after her parents’ own brief encounter at Pitlochry halt

A chance meeting on a Perthshire railway platform 40 years ago blossomed into romance and marriage for an American couple.

And now that same station holds a similar romantic significance for their daughter after her boyfriend popped the question on a visit to the venue.

Teddy Warren, an actor from Wisconsin, chose Pitlochry Station Bookshop to propose to his girlfriend, Hadley McPherson, who accepted in a heartbeat.

The Perthshire town was already dear to the heart of medical student Hadley, who lives near Dallas, Texas, on the ranch run by her parents, Ingrid and Patrick.

Mr and Mrs McPherson first met at the station in the late 1970s when they were students, both independently backpacking around Europe. Ingrid, who was from Germany, missed her train at Pitlochry and found herself stranded on the platform.

While she was sitting out the three-hour wait for the next train, Patrick, a young American, arrived and struck up a conversation and the rest is history.

When it came to popping the question, Teddy decided to add to the family’s Pitlochry love story and again enlisted a Scottish Cupid to help him make his dream come true.

Bobbie McGraw, manager of Pitlochry Station Bookshop, said: “Teddy contacted me last month and we were delighted to join the conspiracy.

“They are a lovely couple and we wish them all happiness for the future.”

Teddy wrote a proposal speech for the occasion and read it from a copy of his favourite novel, Treasure Island.

Hadley had been completely in the dark but was thrilled by the surprise.

“I did not know what was happening, it took some moments to sink in,” she said.

The proposal is the latest chapter in the bookshop’s growing legend.

It has raised £226,000 for charity since it was established in 2006 and famous visitors have included Michael Portillo and AN Wilson who both used the setting for television programmes.

I did not know whatwas happening, it took some moments to sinkin. HADLEY MCPHERSON

Teddy Warren proposes to Hadley McPherson on the platform at Pitlochry Railway Station.