A Wedding Written in Stone: A Geologist's Love Story at Achmelvich

The little beach at Achmelvich is a place that’s deeply personal to me. It’s my local family beach, and I’ve held many ceremonies on its sands, always struck by the beauty of the Lewisian Gneiss. These incredible formations, among the oldest rocks on Earth, have always felt like more than just a backdrop. They are ancient storytellers, and I’ve quietly wished for a couple who would want to make these ancient rocks the heart of their celebration.

Then, in late 2024, an email arrived that felt like an answer to that wish. It was from Catherine and Glenn. As geologists, they already had a deep love for this corner of Scotland, a place they knew intimately from bringing students to study its unique formations. Their decision to marry here was born from this long-standing connection; they wanted a location that was not just beautiful, but one whose ancient story they knew and cherished.

I expect many couples must feel the same, but we came away from our wedding feeling as though the ceremony Monika produced for us was the most personal, most memorable, and most enduringly meaningful that we had ever experienced. The ceremony was so carefully crafted and delivered with such a depth of sensitivity and familiarity that our families either thought we had written it ourselves or that Monika was a friend we had known for years. Her words and manner were a perfect balance of light-hearted and relaxed while preserving the weight and sincerity of the occasion.

As geologists, being outdoors and on the Lewisian gneiss was essential to us. Monika incorporated our shared love of geology and the local landscape intimately into the ceremony, including the first known use of Lewisian bedrock outcrop as an oathing stone.

Catherine & Glenn

Their vision was warm and inclusive. This wasn't to be a quiet elopement, but a joyful gathering of family and friends from across the country, from Canada, and beyond. With thoughtful planning, they based their guests in Ullapool, turning their wedding day into a grand adventure to the coast, culminating in a meal and ceilidh back in the village.

When the day finally arrived, the weather was on our side. The colours of the sea were matched by Catherine’s beautiful dress and Glenn’s Nova Scotia tartan kilt. They had a brilliant idea for the ceremony's structure. We began on the coastal path, gathering everyone for the start of the ceremony before we made our way to the little beach that was our final destination. The walk that followed became a joyful procession, a moment for guests to mingle and feel part of a shared journey.

Arriving at the beach, tucked away with the Lewissian Gneiss standing like silent witnesses at its back, we began the heart of the ceremony. I couldn’t resist weaving in some geology analogies, comparing their love to a force formed over time, strengthened by pressure, and built on a foundation of deep friendship.

The highlight, the moment the whole ceremony had been building towards, was their vows. In a nod to the old tradition of the oathing stone, they placed their hands directly on the ancient rock. But this wasn't just any stone. It was a corner of ancestral Laurentia—a piece of crust that was once part of Canada before the continents drifted apart. In that single, profound moment, the rock became a living bridge between their two worlds, a connection between a British bride and a Canadian groom. Their promises were made on ground that literally contained both of their histories.

It was a day of pure, infectious joy. A fleeting moment in the three-billion-year story of the Highlands, but an epic and unforgettable one for a wonderful couple and all who travelled so far to celebrate with them. Thank you, Catherine and Glenn, for trusting me with a vision that was, quite literally, written in stone.

Photos: https://www.leadinglines.net