The backdrop of Stirling’s Wallace Monument was the perfect setting for one couple’s engagement as travel restrictions lifted last Friday.
Garry McAllister popped the surprise question to girlfriend Laura Neil and presented her with an engagement ring at the monument – complete with a film crew and musician.
A stunned Laura (32) accepted 31-year-old Garry’s proposal to the tune of Dougie MacLean’s ‘Caledonia’ sung and played by Stirling singer songwriter Robbie Hutton.
Garry said: “I had been planning it for a few weeks to get everything in place.
“Laura didn’t know anything about it. I just told her we were going for a meal outside the monument.
“I had wanted to organise a flashmob as well, but because of the coronavirus situation that wasn’t possible.
“I just wanted to do something a bit different. Laura was quite shocked, but I was delighted when she said ‘yes’ and that the engagement ring fitted.
“I had thought it would have been quite quiet at the monument that day, but there were more than a few tourists milling about and when they realised what was going on they started applauding.
“It couldn’t have gone better to be honest. It was perfect.”
The couple met on Facebook, and last Friday April 9 had been their anniversary of moving in together during lockdown.
Garry, a self-employed window fitter, is from Glasgow and Laura, a midwifery student, is from Falkirk, where they are currently living.
As well as musical accompaniment from Robbie Hutton, the couple also have their own film of the occasion made by Stirling-based r7c media.
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Garry had been looking at a number of Scottish locations, but the Wallace Monument seemed the best choice to pop the question and present Laura with her white gold engagement ring with three diamonds.
He added: “We enjoy touring the country and have been to quite a few Scottish landmarks, but the Wallace Monument wasn’t that far away and the place where I could get everything organised.
“Laura’s dad John, who died in 2010, was from Fallin in the Stirling area, and I thought that would be a nice touch too.
“That made the day all the more special.”
