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PICTURES: ‘Bridle’ party turns heads as Highland wedding overlooking Loch Ness begins with bride arriving on horseback


By Gregor White

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Ellen Torrance arrives at her wedding on her horse Paddy. Picture: Paul Campbell
Ellen Torrance arrives at her wedding on her horse Paddy. Picture: Paul Campbell

Arriving on horseback certainly made bride Ellen Torrance the mane attraction at her big day.

Wearing a dress by New Zealand designer Emilia Wickstead – who is best known for designing the gown worn by Meghan Markle on her wedding day – the 27-year-old optometrist made sure everything was memorable, following pandemic-related delays.

Ellen and Ian.
Ellen and Ian.

As she started planning the outdoor wedding in Dores, Ellen knew she wanted light bay French thoroughbred Paddy to be there last Friday.

"I got him when he was seven and I've had him for 15 years," she said.

Ellen and Paddy in a quiet moment together.
Ellen and Paddy in a quiet moment together.

"I rode him from behind the tent and my friends took him in their horse trailer.

"He was good as gold and he wasn't phased by anything."

However, she said that he was a little surprised when he saw all the guests looking at him.

Paddy the horse was not the only four-legged guest at the wedding.
Paddy the horse was not the only four-legged guest at the wedding.

Ellen, who lives in the Craig Dunain area, chose her dress because it was named Ellen.

Husband Ian MacGregor, who is a 29-year-old supermarket manager, said they met at a Glasgow nightclub in March 2013, adding: "I was out for my friend's birthday and we ended up meeting each other there."

The wedding of Ellen Torrance and Ian MacGregor in Dores. Picture: Paul Campbell
The wedding of Ellen Torrance and Ian MacGregor in Dores. Picture: Paul Campbell

He said the field where they were married was not far from Dores beach and there were 38 guests at the ceremony and a total of 85 there afterwards.

Guests in the sunshine.
Guests in the sunshine.

Mr MacGregor said that Paddy had always been central to the day, adding: "Ellen always wanted to arrive on him – that was one of the few definite things when we started organising the day."

They are honeymooning in Oban and on Islay.


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