Take That star to wed at castle?
By Donald Wilson
Published: 27 August, 2009 CAWDOR Castle yesterday attempted to play down speculation that it could be gearing up for the Highlands' biggest celebrity wedding since the frenzy when Madonna tied the knot with Guy Ritchie at Skibo Castle in Sutherland.
But sources have claimed Take That star Mark Owen (37) will wed Emma Ferguson, the mother of his two children, Elwood (3) and nine-month-old Willow Rose, at the historic Nairnshire castle.
Unlike Madonna's ceremony in December 2000, if the rumours about boy band pop star's wedding are true, it is expected to be a strictly private affair with just 50 guests at the castle in November.
But yesterday a spokesman for the castle would not confirm that it is the venue and added that the castle is not licensed for civil ceremonies.
Castle administrator David Broadfoot said after October 11 when the castle closes to the public it becomes the private residence of Lady Cawdor.
"What happens at the castle after that is a private matter and I would not comment. But the castle does not have a licence for people to marry in the castle. We had one former member of staff who held their reception in the grounds, but that was a one-off."
Local minister Rev Janet Matheson confirmed that ministers of religion can conduct wedding ceremonies anywhere. "But I have not been asked to conduct a wedding at Cawdor Castle," she added.
The popular tourist attraction, which is famous for its links with Shakespeare's Scottish play, Macbeth, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It closes for the winter in October, fuelling speculation that it could be the chosen venue.
Guests would be expected to stay at Drynachan Lodge on Cawdor Estate where David and Victoria Beckham had a photo shoot with world renowned celeb photographer Annie Liebowitz days before their marriage near Dublin in July, 1999.
If it does go ahead, it is believed it will be the first wedding ever to have been held in the castle itself.
The village, however, is agog with gossip, and rumours of the impending marriage have been doing the rounds.
One local said: "We have heard the rumour and are keeping our ear to the ground. There's rumblings between the estate, the castle and the Cawdor Tavern but we have not heard any confirmation. We're hearing the same rumour as everyone else."
Take That broke up in the 1990s after losing its lead singer Robbie Williams who then embarked on a successful solo career. The band reformed without Robbie in 2006 and are again one of the UK's top-selling acts.
A source in the band said Mark and Emma wanted a secret wedding in the Highlands and they have turned down megabucks offers from magazines wanting the sole rights to photos from the ceremony.
Highland Council area solicitor Donald Somerville said: "If it's a civil wedding, the premises have to be licensed and we need six weeks to process an application. If the ceremony is conducted by an approved minister, no licence is needed."
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