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American couples wooed to Arbroath Abbey altar

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Leaflets advertising Arbroath Abbey as the perfect place to tie the knot are being distributed in America.

As well as encouraging local couples to consider a wedding at the abbey the action group hope they can tap into the growing market of American couples coming to Scotland to marry.

The action group also have sent the leaflet to the Scottish Coalition, an organisation made up of the six largest expat and Scottish Associations in America with a total membership in excess of 200,000 people.

They have already had a positive response from the coalition’s secretary.

Arbroath Abbey Action Group chairman Harry Ritchie said: “The American market is worthy of note as in 2011 there were 144 couples came from America and were married in Scotland, none of whom came to Arbroath.

“For those Americans claiming Scottish ancestry, Arbroath with its abbey and the Declaration of Arbroath, which has been associated with the Declaration of American Independence, must surely be the most historical site in which to hold their wedding, or at least to visit.

More must be done and our Arbroath Abbey Action Group are not only dealing with groups and persons abroad, but are also in regular contact with both Historic Scotland and VistScotland to promote our Abbey and its connection with the Declaration of Arbroath.”

Last year Historic Scotland revealed weddings were no longer taking place at the historical landmark, saying demand was too low.

Arbroath Abbey, since 2007, has hosted an average of two weddings a year, a relatively-low figure compared to more popular wedding ceremony venues.

But after a campaign fronted by the Arbroath Abbey Action Group they agreed to reinstate abbey weddings.

However, continuing access will depend upon the level of uptake. Mr Ritchie said Angus Council has already agreed to display the leaflets in local libraries and access offices.

He added: “The AAAG have distributed the leaflets to businesses involved with weddings and those have been extremely well received.

“Angus Council have also accepted a quantity of the leaflets for distribution in the Access offices and libraries within the county.”

Founded in 1178 for monks of the Tironensian order by King William the Lion, Arbroath Abbey is famous in Scottish history for its association with the Declaration of Arbroath, in which Scotland’s nobles swore their independence from England.