Adoring couples have become “lovelocked” at an Aberdeenshire beauty spot after being inspired by a romantic tradition first started in Paris.
Dozens of padlocks have now appeared on the Falls of Falls of Feugh bridge in Banchory as couples make a public declaration of their commitment.
The gesture was first seen on Pont de Arts bridge in the French capital and almost 2,000 padlocks have since been fixed to the footbridge across the Seine, causing it to buckle under their weight.
It is unclear who secured the first padlock in Banchory, but recently married couple, Nicol and Corrie Rosie, are amongst the latest to make the gesture.
After the pair spotted the locks during a walk around a month ago, Nicol sneaked away to install his own to mark the couple’s anniversary.
Nicol , 23, a photographer, said: “I snuck away during the day and took her for a walk past the bridge that night-knowing that she’d be reading all the locks as usual.
“She noticed my own straight away and her face just lit up.”
Beauty therapist Corrie, 21, said: “I jumped with joy when I saw it. I never expected something like this from him. He always says that he thinks the locks are cheesy but I think they’re really romantic.”
The childhood sweethearts eloped to Gretna Green last September for an unexpected wedding on their seventh anniversary. Their gold lock is inscribed with their names and the date of their special day.
Nicol added: “If it puts a couple of smiles on people’s faces then it’s all worthwhile.”
Locksmith Douglas Simpson of Deeside Trophies is certainly enjoying the boost to sales.
Mr Simpson said: “They have certainly proved very popular. Love padlocks can be found around the world from the Pacific-rim to romantic cites in France, Italy and Spain.
“It’s the perfect way of letting those significant to you understand just how special they really are.
“Engraving your own personal message on a Lovelock is the ultimate way of saying “I love you” and solidifying those special relationships in your life.”
Philip McKay, Aberdeenshire Council’s Head of Roads and Landscape Services, said: “The council doesn’t have a formal view on the ‘love locks’ appearing on the Falls of Feugh bridge, but we’re keen to encourage tourism in our communities and romantic couples are no exception.
“We have no plans to remove them, but if the use of this popular bridge is affected we will of course look again at our position.”