Now Lewis sees its first same-sex 'wedding'

Published on Sunday 19 July 2009 22:15

THE Isle of Lewis is set to see its first gay wedding today when children's TV presenter Andrew Robertson ties the knot with long-term partner Craig Atkins.

The couple are expected to seal a civil partnership, the first to be carried out in the Western Isles since they were introduced under a 2003 law.

Mr Robertson, 35, who presents children's shows on Gaelic channel BBC Alba, said: "Everything has gone smoothly, no hitches at all."

He lives in Habost, Lewis, with Atkins, 38, manager of a Stornoway arts centre.

Euphemia "Effie" MacDonald, the registrar legally obliged to conduct the Western Isles' first gay wedding, claimed she had no knowledge of the impending nuptials.

Asked if she would officiate, she replied: "I've been told not to comment, I don't know anything about it. Goodbye."

Earlier this year residents in the fiercely religious Western Isles became the test bed for the next census questions on gay marriage.

They were asked for the first time about civil partnerships – and indeed their success.

Since they were legalised in 2005, there have been more than 2,100 civil partnerships solemnised in Scotland, and more than 18,000 across the UK – though the rate is falling.

But the staunchly religious Outer Hebrides has never had a gay wedding.

Three years ago the islands hit the headlines after councillors agreed to support those isles registrars, who refused to perform civil partnership ceremonies on moral grounds.

However, the council has said it will carry out its legal obligation to register same- sex weddings but uphold its right of discretion to ban ceremonies for same-sex couples.