Royal twist as couple tie knot at Castle of Mey
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A WEDDING at the Castle of Mey on Hogmanay made a dream come true for a young Thurso bride.
Lesley Sinclair took Stewart Campbell’s hand in marriage at the historic castle, the late Queen Mother’s former holiday residence, on the last day of 2011.
The fairy-tale wedding had a unique royal twist as 29 years ago her majesty was at Lesley’s christening in Thurso West Church of Scotland.
In October 1982 while on a visit to Caithness the Queen Mother visited the church and came across the ceremony for Lesley, who was four months old at the time.
“I don’t know exactly how it happened but basically the Queen Mother was up and it just so happened on the day that she turned up at the church it was my christening,” Lesley told the Caithness Courier.
“When we were in the church she took me in her arms.”
However, the wedding venue’s royal connection was not the reason behind the couple’s choice to start the rest of their lives together there. “I’ve always loved Scottish castles,” explained Lesley, a community mental health nurse.
“My dream was always Cawdor Castle but when I moved home I heard that the Castle of Mey had started doing weddings. Stewart and I went out and had a look and it was our first choice.”
All the couple’s family and friends were there for the big day and, after the vows were exchanged, Stewart and Lesley’s 18-month-old daughter, Ava-Jay, was dedicated in a Salvation Army service followed by champagne and mulled wine.
Later at the reception in the Weigh Inn Hotel in Thurso Stewart’s son, Sean (14), played the pipes to signal New Year. It was a perfect family occasion which is exactly what the couple wanted.
“I’ve always wanted a Hogmanay wedding,” said Lesley. “Years ago Hogmanay was so big and I remember it from my childhood with everyone being really close.
“As I got to be around 18 or so it all started fizzling out and I ended up not really enjoying New Year. I’ve always wanted something special to make it that bit more exciting for me.”
Lesley met her husband, Stewart (31), a decommissioning operative at Dounreay, while on a night out in Thurso seven years ago.
The pair have been engaged for the last two years after Stewart surprised Lesley on Christmas Day 2009. “On Christmas morning we were opening our stockings and he got me a different set of rings that I had wanted for my Christmas,” said the bride.
“They were at the bottom of my stocking and he said these aren’t the rings – as I’ve always wanted to pick my own ring – but will you marry me. It was lovely and a total surprise.”
The castle was opened especially for the couple with James Murray, of the Castle of Mey Trust, citing the time of the year and the royal connections as making it extra special.
Lesley and Stewart praised Shirley Farquhar, the venue’s wedding co-ordinator, and all the staff that helped make their big day.
“It was all our own decisions and she just bent over backwards to allow us to do it,” said Lesley. “All the staff were brilliant.”
