Eilean Donan Castle – Amber and Niall, The Proposal.

Wow. What a day I have just had.  I was up at Eilean Donan castle to capture a very special moment in two people’s lives. Niall Sinclair contacted me from Houston, USA, a couple of weeks ago to tell me he was planning proposing to his girlfriend, Amber Gifford during a visit to Scotland. After several emails back and forth we got a plan together and today was the day. I have never photographed a proposal before and it was quite nerve-wracking.

Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Scotland, and a very romantic location. It was somewhere the couple visited last year and Amber loved it, so an ideal choice for the big question to be popped! I arrived up there this morning after a 2 hour drive through constant rain and got set up. I had been sent photos of the couple and knew what car they would be in so was ready. Only issue being that I had to be discreet so as not to give the game away to Amber. It was a real buzz waiting for the car and ready to jump to action!

I followed them across the famous bridge into the castle, not knowing when things would happen, but a few minutes later they popped outside and Niall dropped on one knee. It was a very quick yes from Amber, to put us all out of our misery and I have to confess to being moved to tears by the whole thing. It was so lovely being part of something so intimate and personal and I think I managed to stay completely unnoticed throughout. In 15 years of wedding photography this is the first time I have photographed this part and must admit it was a massive privilege and totally blew me away. I’m not sure who was shaking more afterwards, Niall or myself. The adrenaline was pumping as I couldn’t miss a split second, and then the emotions set in.

We spent a bit of time taking more photographs around the castle and grounds before the rain finally got the better of us.

What a lovely, lovely couple and I am so proud to have had this job. Another ‘I Love My Job’ day!

A few photos of the day!