The Tayside castle at the centre of a police fraud investigation has suddenly pulled the plug on weddings due to be held there.
One of the directors of Guthrie Castle in Angus informed disappointed couples on Wednesday that their booked dates would no longer be going ahead at the 15th Century venue as they “weren’t doing weddings any more”.
Last month it emerged that former employee Craig Williamson allegedly double and even triple booked wedding dates while asking couples to make large deposit payments into his personal bank account.
Although the castle made no public statement at the time, people were initially reassured that their weddings would still go ahead.
However, some couples were informed by telephone and email yesterday that the castle has now taken a decision to stop holding weddings from later this year due to the “continuing uncertainty”.
The castle declined to respond to a request for comment on the latest development, however The Courier has seen the letter being sent to the affected couples.
It states: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, namely the fraud which has taken place and all the continuing uncertainty, both in financial and reputational terms, that this has caused and after a great deal of thought and consideration the owners of Guthrie Castle Limited have decided to honour the wedding bookings for 2017, but they will no longer operate as a wedding venue from late 2017 onwards.
“It is therefore with great regret that we have to advise you that we are cancelling your wedding booking.
“We appreciate that this will be very disappointing news, but we feel it is in the best interests of both parties given the continuing uncertainty and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”
It adds: “Once again, we apologise for all the stress and inconvenience this has caused and we wish you the best for your future wedding.”
Guthrie Castle, located seven miles east of Forfar, has previously been criticised by two MSPs for a lack of clarity.
Meanwhile the police investigation into the former wedding planner Craig Williamson, whose whereabouts are unknown, is continuing.
The alleged fraud may have started as far back as 2015.
Since the scandal broke, their website has been taken down and replaced with the message: “Anyone who has booked for a Wedding or Event with Guthrie Castle. Kindly get in touch with us immediately at 01241 828691.”
The fraud emerged after Mr Williamson failed to turn up to work and a wedding and conference were double booked at the venue.
A police spokesman said: “Enquiries are continuing.”
A couple whose wedding in May next year has been cancelled by the Castle said they were now considering legal action.
