First Same-Sex Weddings Held

The first same-sex wedding ceremonies have been taking place in Scotland.

A new law making the marriages legal came into effect on December 16th - but couples had to post the banns for the standard 15 days before they could tie the knot.

Joe Schofield and Malcolm Brown made history when they were married in a humanist ceremony in Glasgow just after midnight. Scots Makar Liz Lochhead composed a special wedding sonnet for the event, while Local Government and Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi was a guest.

Meanwhile First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was one of the witnesses at the wedding of her friends Susan and Gerrie Douglas Scott.

She said:“This a momentous day for equality in Scotland, one where same sex couples have the right to marry the person that they love.

“I am personally proud that as Health Secretary, I led the consultation which started this journey. I said then that it was the right thing to do, and I believe that today.

“This will send a powerful message to people about the kind of country we are.”