Weddings bells gave way to steam whistles yesterday as an Aberdeenshire couple tied the knot on the historic Royal Deeside railway.
The Milton of Crathes station set the scene for the wedding of Banchory couple, Shaun Allan and Carol McLaughlin, yesterday afternoon.
The pair arrived in a tiny blue 1960s Trojan bubble car – which was driven onto the platform itself – before around 50 family members and friends joined them on the steam engine, the Salmon, for the ceremony.
The delighted couple said their vows on board the volunteer-run Deeside Railway as it made its way along the track – which runs for almost one mile towards Banchory.
David Pearson, membership secretary for the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society, said it had been a wonderful day.
He said: “It has been a very successful day, the bride looked beautiful and arrived in an old bubble car which was different to say the least.
“It was an absolutely fantastic afternoon and we are all knackered now. It has been very, very, very successful.”
The happy occasion comes just weeks after the organisation suffered its biggest ever blow.
Vandals broke into the group’s West lodge site near Hill of Banchory and destroyed a 1950s-era carriage and a locomotive engine, causing around £10,000 worth of damage.
Last week the Press and Journal revealed that the Duke of Rothesay has donated a significant sum to the society’s carriage appeal.
Mr Pearson said last night: “Following on from the vandalism this shows we have got a happy side as well as a sad side.
“No matter what happens we are determined to carry on. It has been bloody hard work but it has been well worth it.
“This is our third wedding. I have been to two now and I would say they are different sort of weddings, it is unique.
“People who were driving past were blasting their horns. We must be doing something right.
“By the amount of donations we have received people in Aberdeenshire, Banchory, Aberdeen, all the local areas – they realise exactly what we have got on their door steps.
“I’d just like to thank all the staff and all the ladies and gentlemen that took part to help us out, and everybody that has donated to us.”
The carriage repair appeal can be found at www.deeside-railway.co.uk.
Here’s a selection of the great photographs from the day.
To buy any of these images click here.
