A cancer sufferer delighted his long-term partner by getting down on one knee – at the hospital where she has kept him smiling during his five years of treatment.
It was Shona Macintyre’s time to smile when Iain Macfarlane proposed at Kyle Court, the patient accommodation at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
Mr Macfarlane, of South Uist, has been going to the base every month for the past five years while he is treated for myeloma.
Ms Macintyre travels with him, and said she was thrilled staff at Kyle Court – which she described as their “home from home” – were able to enjoy their special moment.
The 47-year-old was completely shocked when her partner of 10 years popped the question, despite them talking about getting married and picking out rings.
She said: “We knew we were going to get engaged but I had no idea he was going to do it then. We hadn’t planned that part but I’m delighted that it happened at Kyle Court.
“The staff here have been so brilliant with us in all the times that we have stayed here, it really is like a home from home. They’re like family to us and we get to enjoy this moment with them.”
Ms Macintyre revealed the couple had double cause for celebration, as Mr Macfarlane has been told he does not need to go back for treatment for two months.
She added: “He’s doing well so at his clinic this week we were told he doesn’t need to come back for about two months now.
The staff at Raigmore have been fantastic as well. It’s been quite a week.”
The couple are planning to marry towards the end of the year but they would like the staff of Kyle Court to be involved in the celebration somehow.
Ms Macintyre said: “I’m sure we will do something at Kyle Court. The staff have been behind us 100% the entire time, they’re just so lovely and we are so happy being here celebrating our engagement with them.”
Maggie Melrose, accommodation manager, is delighted for the couple who she agrees have become like family.
She said: “This is the first engagement we’ve ever had at Kyle Court. We were all very excited when we heard the news and all the staff here could not be happier for them.”