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It's all systems go in the Highlands for wedding planners and
wedding venues alike. On 21st December, this year, Civil
Partnerships between same sex couples – commonly known as Gay
Weddings – will be permitted throughout the UK. Already, some
Scottish wedding planners report considering interest from the
gay and lesbian communities for the traditional 'kilt and
bagpipes' wedding in a Highland castle or a luxury hotel.

But the arrival of equality in the wedding aisle north of the
border has not been without its hiccups. As The Press and
Journal reported on 4th August: "Highland councilors have
recommended registrars only perform a basic registration – the
absolute minimum required by the legislation … "

Not unexpectedly this perceived homophobia caused an uproar in
the gay and lesbian community, and among politicians at the
national level. Intensive lobbying of the council began.

Other Scottish local authorities reacted differently. Perth and
Kinross, Angus, Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Moray and
Aberdeen City Councils, for example, all announced their
unqualified acceptance of the spirit of the Civil Partnershipp
Act, as well as its letter.

The lobbying process, and some would say common sense and
fairness as well, won the day. On 17th August, at another
meeting of the Highland Council Resources Committee, the
following was approved:

"a) that Civil Partnerships in Highland be registered in
Registration Offices or in other locations agreed for the
purpose subject to checks, where appropriate, to establish any
health and safety issues which may affect staff in respect of
alternative locations

b) that Registration takes the form of a simple registration, or
a ceremony as requested by the partners "

And so, Scottish gay weddings websites are up and running,
advertising campaigns have started, and wedding venues are
having to think through the services they offer to same sex
couples after years of catering only to heteros. It will be
interesting and not a little exciting to see how they all fare.
Whatever happens, the average Scot, Lowlander or Highlander,
will be only too ready, willing and able to toast the happy
couple with a wee dram of single malt. Slainte!

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Source by Charlie Taylor