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Ross-shire bride's rainbow wedding dress embodies spirit of times at Castle Leod in Strathpeffer as big day goes ahead despite shadow of coronavirus


By Louise Glen

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Ashley Traill wore a specially designed rainbow dress for her big day. Picture: James Mackenzie
Ashley Traill wore a specially designed rainbow dress for her big day. Picture: James Mackenzie

A ROSS-SHIRE bride whose pre-lockdown choice of wedding dress perfectly embodies the spirit of the times pressed ahead with her big day, despite all the challenges of the coronavirus crisis.

Ashley MacLennan (30) from Maryburgh married long-time sweetheart Andrew Traill (37) from Wick at a small ceremony at Castle Leod near Strathpeffer last weekend.

The new Mrs Traill said that after months of pondering whether they would get married or not, the couple decided to go ahead. It was a chance to unveil her very special rainbow dress designed by herself prior to the lockdown.

Ashley Traill (nee MacLennan) and groom Neil with (from left) bridesmaid Sophie Bryan, best man Neil Traill, bridesmaid Xanthe MacLeod, Simon MacLeod, and flower girls Hailey and Emily MacLeod. Picture: James Mackenzie
Ashley Traill (nee MacLennan) and groom Neil with (from left) bridesmaid Sophie Bryan, best man Neil Traill, bridesmaid Xanthe MacLeod, Simon MacLeod, and flower girls Hailey and Emily MacLeod. Picture: James Mackenzie

Mrs Traill, a confectioner at Deas the Baker in Dingwall, said: “No one will likely believe me but I planned the dress before any of the lockdown or the pandemic or rainbows were used as a sign of hope and support for the NHS, but it does seem like the perfect dress to wear for a wedding in 2020.”

She designed it with seamstress Christine Walmsley, from Inverness.

She said: “It has been a strange year to have a wedding, it is ironic that rainbows are a thing of Covid, and I had planned to have this rainbow wedding dress.

“There have been so many ups and downs this year, so the dress seemed even more fitting for the day.”

The small ceremony was hailed a great success.

Related: Rainbows brighten uniforms at Invergordon Co-op

Glascarnoch rainbow as lower water levels inspire visitor surge

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