Couple tie the knot the West Highland Way
For most brides a walk up the aisle may only be a few steps but for Tracy Pollington her procession was a planned week-long aisle – along the 96-mile West Highland Way to her marriage ceremony in Fort William, writes Iain Ferguson.
Tracy, 41, and her fiancé, 43-year-old Andy Cuthbert, both from Appin, met a few years ago through their shared interest in walking and cycling.
They had previously cycled the Way together and when Andy popped the question a few months ago during lockdown it seemed only appropriate to match their love for each other, with the other great love of their lives.
They set off from Milngavie accompanied by their ‘bridesmaid’, dog Isla, allowing plenty of time to reach Fort William where their ceremony was planned for 4.30pm on Thursday September 17.
In line with Covid-19 regulations, a small gathering of friends and family, including a few walkers they met along the route, assembled by the iconic statue of ‘Sair Feet’ to watch them walking the final leg along Fort William High Street.
However, much to everyone’s surprise, the happy couple emerged from a nearby hotel in full wedding outfits as the trip had been cut short after Tracy suffered a back injury and they returned home early. Although the walk to the ceremony was not quite as planned, the couple made it, arm in arm, to the statue in the welcoming Fort William sunshine.
Humanist celebrant Alyson Stewart conducted the ceremony, commenting that not only did the couple look fantastic but they were also making history by holding the first wedding at the Fort William end of the West Highland Way.
Tracy said: ’We both have a great love of the outdoors and for us this was the only way to do it.
‘We may have had to cut the walk this time, but we will be completing it soon.’
Andy said: ‘We discussed what to do and couldn’t think of any better way or place to get married.
‘I’m glad the sun shone, but even if it had been the usual pouring rain, it would not have mattered one bit and we would still have gone ahead.’
The dry weather did provide the opportunity for another ‘first’ as the couple signed the marriage documents on ‘Sair Feet’s’ back, which would have presented a bit of a problem in more inclement weather.