Hill walker's giant proposal
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Most aspiring husbands are content simply to drop on one knee in front of their beloved and produce a ring.
But Edinburgh physics teacher and keen hill walker Calum Templeton went a huge step further further – popping the question to Lizzy Sisley by way of giant letters spread out across the side of an iconic Sutherland mountain.
An astounded Ms Sisley said yes and on August 14 the two celebrated at the top of Suilven, Lochinver, with champagne that had previously been secreted on the mountain.
Landowners Assynt Foundation was heavily involved in the romantic undertaking, having been approached for help by Mr Templeton two months beforehand.
Foundation chairman Lewis MacAskill said: "We told Calum we thought his idea was totally mad but really romantic and we wanted to help him."
The first step was for Mr Templeton to order 458 metres of tenting in 65 sections, along with 316 eyelets and tent pegs. He hid the materials in the back of his classroom before taking it up to Assynt in early August.
Foundation employee Stuart Belshaw then helped him transport the materials in an argo cat to Suilven and stack them behind rocks
On August 12, two days before the proposal, estate workers helped Mr Templeton lay out the giant letters out on the ground at a point where they were clearly visible from the top but not on the ascent.
And on the day itself a nervous Mr Templeton accompanied his girlfriend, also a keen hill walker, and began the climb of the 731 metre mountain, which is known for its distinctive shape and the way it rises almost vertically from the landscape.
He said: "We attempted the traverse of the ridge three years ago, but Lizzy lost her nerve before the descent from Meall Beag. This time, thankfully, she was all over it and even decided not to bother with a rope."
An emotional Ms Sisley was thunderstruck when she looked over the ridge saw the question, Lizzy, will you marry me?, laid out on the mountain side.
An ecstatic Mr Templeton said: "She said Yes!"
He then retrieved the champagne and glasses from where they had been hidden and the happy couple drank a toast to their future happiness and life together..
Foundation chairman Mr MacAskill said: "There was a lot of work involved but Assynt Foundation was delighted to play a part in this slightly mad but very romantic gesture and we are looking forward to welcoming Mr and Mrs Templeton back to Assynt soon."
