Tony & Jo's Highland Wedding

Tony & Jo

Never thought I would ever go back to Knoydart, Scotland... never say never.

Two years ago, Tony, Andy, Fe and I went walking in this remote and beautiful area of Far North West Scotland. This weekend Tony and Jo's wedding was to be an adventure up into this far off magical place.

I fly up to Edinburgh Thursday night. Its always a mini home coming touching down there. The weight of the big city leaves you suddenly and its back in the Olde town. On the bus in I smell the yeast from the nearby brewery and smile to myself, it will always be the smell of Edinburgh to me.

The crisp fresh night air is refreshing, as I hail a passing cab. At 4.50pounds its the cheapest and nicest cab ride of the year, I chat jovially with the cabbie about the festival and his upcoming holiday to Sydney.

Rory is there to meet me at the door. Its great to see him and Sarah again - and of course the cute Cameron, who is just starting to walk.

The long day ahead sees us drive up the 5 hours to Mallaig via Dalwhinnie and Fort William. The weather is stereotypically Scottish, chilly and misty with patch rain. After a fortifying cuppatea and chocolate crispy, we go on to Mallaig.

There to meet us is a Zodiac Rib Jet boat, which takes us to Inverie in a speedy 10mins. I bounce up and down on the inflatable tube clad in lifevest and hanging on tightly - loving every moment, taking in the superb Highland scenery, big smile on my face!

Its raining as we arrive, Rory and I jump into the tity tray back of a tiny Kawasaki tractor quad bike ute thing. Rory with his umbrella half up and hunching his tall frame beneath the flimsy shelter, me getting a wet bum sitting knees up on the sodden tray, the hood of my jacket up, what a funny sight!

We arrive 5mins later, thankfully and roll into our lodgings, a recently converted house, now a hostel feeling bunkhouse. Comfortable, though thin walled and cold. (the floor heating wasnt on - how lush!)

Dinner is back in "town" if you call town a tiny street with 10 houses. I have fish and chips followed by a melt in the mouth cheesecake, lovely.

The Wedding Day itself was drizzly and overcast, helping people with their Scottish Kit has a tinge of irony for everyone, as I probably wear their national dress more than they ever will!

Land Rovers ferry us over to a grand white house, which overlooks the back, mountains in the background. A big marque tent has been put up with the expectation of rain for the ceremony.

The Ceremony itself was lovely and intimate, it was also very short - which was a bonus!

It was quickly followed by a Wedding Breakfast - which breaks the fast since they were single to now being married.

Next was the 30min 4WD trek in Land Rovers to the Reception, which was held in a restorated church about 5 miles away. The road was rough and bumpy, crossing two small streams. The scenery was spectacular.

The reception went for some time, with us all being very well fed - we were greeted by a pig on the spit slowly roasting for the midnight snack after a cheilh (scottish country dancing).

That night we were driving back to our accomodation by Land Rover, and caught in the headlights were about 30 deer, including large Stag, it felt like being on safari!

The next morning we were up at sparrows for the jet boat to take us away back to civilisation.

All in all a fantastic trip up north as always. Congratulations Tony & Jo!