The Ceremony

While reciting their vows on the top floor of the castle in the garrison, the couple also performed the old Celtic ritual of Handfasting. As Erin and John said each vow, their officiant wrapped a long piece of their family tartan cloth around their hands as a symbol that both the vows and the cloth bound them together. Handfasting actually gave rise to the expression 'tying the knot,' Erin explains. A bagpiper closed the ceremony with Mairi's Wedding as guests moved back downstairs for dinner.