The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dundee stone keeps Scots tradition alive at wedding in USA
PEOPLE: Son of former Dundonian adds unusual touch to his big day in New England
When the son of a former Dundee woman got married in America his wedding had it all – handsome groom, beautiful bride, fairytale setting – and a “dirty old stone” all the way from the City of Discovery.
Affectionately named Tony Stoney, the memento had been kept safe for more than 20 years before playing a key part in the wedding of Iain Kaplan and Hannah Pappenheim in New England.
Iain’s mum Sheelagh Kaplan was born in Dundee but met and married an American man, Bruce, before emigrating.
The couple frequently returned to her place of birth with their three children.
Sheelagh, who grew up on Strathmartine Road, said: “In 1996 we visited in the spring and went as usual to the Olympia swimming pool.
“Iain, who was then almost 10, spotted a stone on the ground outside the pool,” she said.
“He and his two sisters proceeded to kick this stone around as we wandered around the centre of town.
“During this time and probably while I was telling them to cut it out and be careful this stone acquired the name Tony Stoney.
“We returned to our hotel and I said there was no way they were bringing this dirty old stone into the hotel room and it had to stay outside.
“At some point Iain pocketed the stone and brought it back to the US where it languished in the depths of his closet for more than 20 years.”
The former Morgan Academy pupil said when Iain and his fiancée were planning their wedding they discovered the Scottish tradition of the oathing stone, where the couple place their hands on a pebble while exchanging vows.
She added: “Iain had refound Tony Stoney and decided to use it in the ceremony.
“Hannah’s parents live in Alaska and it was decided that Tony should be anointed with Alaskan glacier water from a glacier near their home.
“The ceremony was held outdoors on a beautiful autumn day in Maine,” she said.
“Tony was passed around the 100 or so wedding guests and then anointed with the glacier water.”
He and his two sisters proceeded to kick this stone around as we wandered around the centre of town. SHEELAGH KAPLAN