This was an article that appeared in a local Uddingston News paper. Just so you know...none of those quotes ever came out of our mouths. They interviewed us and then went ahead and made up the whole thing anyway. Now I know how movie stars feel.

Americans marry at Chatelherault after Finding "perfect setting" on the Internet.

An American couple who fell in love with pictures of Chatelherault Country Park on the Internet have exchanged wedding vows at the venue.

Minneapolis couple Amy (32) and Gregory (29) are the first overseas sweethearts to have a civil marriage at the 18th century hunting lodge.

The historic grounds and William Adam building were a perfect backdrop to their dream wedding on Friday.

And it all happened with a little help from a friend in Uddingston!

Groom Gregory explained: "We wanted to get married in a Scottish castle but when our friend Jolayne, who lives in Uddingston, told us how lovely Chatelherault was we looked it up on the Internet.

"When we saw the fantastic architecture, gardens and interiors we knew this was the perfect setting for our wedding."

DREAM

Bride Amy said: "It's a dream come true to get married in Scotland. (can't you just hear my Scottish brogue?) It's an experience we'll always treasure. We're also delighted with the welcome we've received and the help in organising the wedding."

South Lanarkshire Council are one of the first local authorities in Scotland to offer a historic venue for civil marriages, as opposed to traditional registration offices. Thanks to a small site on the Internet, interest has been generated in Chatelherault Country Park from all over the world.

Eight weddings have already taken place and another 58 couples, from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Lanarkshire, have their big day planed between now and the year 2000.

HISTORIC

Councillor Davy Keirs, chair of the Administration and Licensing Committee, said: "In response to demand from the public, we decided to offer this historic venue for civil marriages.

"We're very pleased with the response so far and already bookings are starting to spiral, with many couples from Lanarkshire, and further afield keen to hold their civil wedding at Chatelherault.

Chatelherault was built 250 years ago as the hunting lodge and summer house of the Dukes of Hamilton, and opened tot he public as a museum and country park in 1987 after a nine year face lift.

Information on booking for a civil weddings can be obtained by calling Jean Lavelle on 01698 454211 or by visiting the Registration Office, 21 Beckford Street, Hamilton.

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