A group bidding to make an ancient tourist attraction the perfect place for loving couples to tie the knot has enlisted “high-ranking” allies.
The 12th century Arbroath Abbey had its capacity to conduct weddings removed for a period. A campaign group has now linked up with Angus Council after the case to reinstate weddings to attract tourists was successfully made.
The abbey has hosted two weddings a year on average since 2007 and last year Historic Scotland said demand was too low for weddings to continue.
However, after a successful campaign, leaflets advertising Arbroath Abbey as the perfect place to tie the knot began distribution in America. The group hopes to tap into the growing market of American couples coming to Scotland to marry.
Leaflets were sent to the Scottish Coalition of expatriate and Scots associations with a total membership of more than 200,000 people. The Arbroath Abbey Action Group said they are pleased to have now had a meeting with the council.
Its chairman Harry Ritchie said: “We had a wide-ranging, constructive and positive meeting with Mr (Richard) Stiff, the chief executive and Mr (Alan) McKeown, the strategic director (communities) and were encouraged by what we heard.
“It was clear that these high-ranking officials of the council recognise entirely the importance of the abbey and its potential for attracting visitors to the area.
“We are looking forward now to working in partnership with Angus Council on a variety of fronts.”
The talks followed meetings with Historic Scotland and VisitScotland.
A council spokeswoman confirmed Angus Council officers attended a meeting with Arbroath Abbey Action group, adding: “The meeting was positive and council officers will take forward various action points over the coming weeks and months.”
Arbroath Abbey was founded in 1178 by King William I “the Lion” as a memorial to his childhood friend Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was killed in 1170.
The Declaration of Arbroath, which confirmed the nobility’s support of Scottish independence from England, was signed at the abbey in 1320.
Unfortunately, the abbey came in for attention of the wrong sort last month after its visitor centre suffered £5,000 worth of damage.
Three windows were smashed on February 28.