Linda and Kenny
Fort Augustus, Scotland
20 May, 2023
On the day
If you've never been to a Scottish wedding, you're in for a treat. Expect dancing, sunshine, whisky, rain, snow, dancing, a monster, kilts, dancing and more!
When
Saturday 20 May 2023
Ceremony begins at 4pm
Reception immediately after
Where
Ceremony at Old Pier House, Fort Augustus, PH32 4BX
Reception at Fort Augustus Village Hall, Church Rd, PH32 4DG
Where to stay?
Fort Augustus is blessed with a wide range of accommodation options, from a fairly posh hotel and a converted abbey to bed and breakfasts and a cheap and cheerful hostel. And as the place is only wee, as long as you book somewhere in the village itself, you'll be able to walk to both of our venues.
We've stayed in a number of them, and can recommend these. Of course, don't let that stop you if you find a gem we've not discovered yet!
See Scotland
If you've got time before or after the wedding, take the opportunity to explore. Be prepared to be gobsmacked if this is your first trip to Scotland! Here are some ideas, for more info check out visitscotland.com.
Head West
Skye is just over an hour's drive from Fort Augustus. It's joined to the mainland by a bridge, so you don't even need to book a ferry. On the way, you'll pass Eilan Donan Castle - famous for its starring role in Highlander and umpteen Scottish tourism adverts. Spoiler: it's not that old, it's an early nineteenth century reproduction. Still pretty though.
You can also visit beautiful and remote Applecross. It's stunning, but the winding single track road isn't for the faint hearted. Not that that stops the campervans...
Head North
What you'll see on the way up to Fort Augustus is just the beginning - the highlands go on and on. Head north (and northeast/west), and you'll discover all kinds of treasures, such as Ullapool (with its ferry to Stornoway on Harris), Achiltibuie and the Summer Isles, Durness and Thurso (where you can get the obligatory shot at John O'Groats, the northernmost tip of Britain).
One tip: allow more time than you think, many of the roads are single track, winding and full of annoying tourists. ;-)
Head East
If you're a whisky lover, the east is all about Speyside and the whisky trail. Nature lover? The Cairngorms are brilliant for walks and incredible scenery. Royalist? Visit Balmoral (tell whoever's in that Linda says hi).
Plenty of lovely villages to stay in, and a tourist railway for the train buffs.
Head South
So many options! Edinburgh and Glasgow, obviously. The East Neuk in Fife is very cute, with fishing villages to explore and a trip to St Andrews for the Golfers. On the west side, you can follow the coast down from Oban, through Argyll and right down to the tip of Kintyre (singing Mull of Kintyre all the way, of course).
Scotland doesn't end (or begin) at Edinburgh and Glasgow. Below the central belt there's the Borders, Ayrshire, and Dumfries and Galloway, all definitely worth a look. Robbie Burns' birthplace is in Alloway, and there's apparently an excellent Roman museum in Melrose (been meaning to see that, might see you there).
The Islands
Lots of choices for island investigation off the west coast. Skye is the best known, but also the busiest because of that. The outer Hebrides are gorgeous, and worth the extra time it takes to get there (though the ferry from Ullapool to Stornaway is only two and a half hours, and you can do a bit of island hopping from there).
Otherwise, there's Mull (very pretty, and can include a trip to Iona and Staffa, where you can hum Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture in Fingal's Cave), Islay (the home of nine distilleries, and the most peaty whiskies on the planet), Jura (famous for its Paps, which you can snigger at), and Arran, which they call Scotland in miniature.
Comrie!
Drop in and visit us - we'll be around during the week after the wedding, and the kettle will be on. There's an old POW camp next door to explore, lots of walks around the place, and hills to climb for awesome views. Don't be a stranger! Just make sure you head for Comrie, Perthshire, not Comrie, Fife - that's a different place altogether.
No gifts please!
We appreciate the thought, but our home is bursting at the seams as it is! And we realise many of you have travelled from the other side of the world - it's enough just to have so many of you coming all this way.
However, if you're a determined gifter, we've set up a fund to help towards our trip to Australia later in 2023. Kenny's never been, and he's not sure he'll survive, given everything Facebook tells him about our deadly fauna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Fort Augustus?
It's pretty much our spiritual home. After spending a mad weekend here every February for the last 10 years or so playing tunes and drinking beer into the wee (and not so wee) hours, we feel we've bonded with the place. Also, how many weddings come with the chance to catch a glimpse of Nessie?
Is there a dress code?
Linda won't be wearing a princess dress. That's not to say you can't, if that's your bag - you do you! Generally, we would say dress for a party, but a party where you might be suddenly pelted with hailstones or sunburnt within an inch of your life. Honestly, either is possible.
I'm not Scottish - can I wear a kilt?
Absolutely, as long as you're prepared for the 'what's underneath' jokes. If you're lucky, you might even find one to hire in your family's tartan. Have a look here.
Shoes?
Ah yes - again, whatever floats your boat, but there will be a 10 minute walk down a gravel (or muddy) path to the venue, and then 15 minutes up to the Hall. And then there's the dancing...
Do I have to walk? That's a bit of a problem.
No worries - we'll have drivers on standby for those who will find it a challenge. Just let us know.
So the ceremony is outside?
Yes. Foolhardy, we know, but you'll understand when you see the view. Raincoats, umbrellas and ponchos will hopefully be unnecessary - but bring them anyway.
What time does it finish?
The hall is in a residential area, so we need to call a halt at midnight. But the oldies among us (and let's be honest, that's most of us) will most likely be exhausted by then, anyway.
Is it BYO?
That's up to you - you know what you prefer to drink. But we will be providing the usual drinks for the meal and beyond. We're not expecting to run out, but it's a village hall and there's no bar as such. If you'd like to swell the bar with something of your choice, that's perfectly fine.
Can we bring the kids?
Of course - we'd love to see them. Just make sure you let us know when you RSVP. Do bear in mind, though, that it will be a long day/night, and we'd hate for you to have to leave early. You might prefer a bit of a romantic weekend getaway, just the two of you. It's up to you.
How far ahead should we book accommodation?
As far as possible! Scotland is a tourist mecca, and things book up incredibly quickly.
We're staying a few days - is there a supermarket for supplies?
A small one. You'd be best stocking up in Fort William on the way up, or in Inverness if you come that way. However, Fort Augustus boasts a very nice restaurant and a couple of pubs, so if all else fails, you won't go hungry.
You've not answered my question.
That's not actually a question. But if you do have anything else you need to know, just email Linda at lgannell@hotmail.com.
