A LOCAL parliamentarian has welcomed a decision to make weddings in Scotland possible during the coronavirus emergency.
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell had backed calls for a relaxation which was approved at Holyrood on Wednesday.
A Conservative amendment giving the green light to carefully choreographed ceremonies, incorporating social distancing and with no large parties, was accepted and agreed unanimously by MSPs.
Whilst there was no formal ban in place, registrars had stopped officiating at ceremonies to focus on dealing with an increasing number of deaths during the current global pandemic.
The amendment to lockdown legislation going through the Scottish Parliament will let both weddings and civil partnerships go ahead but with strictly limited numbers attending.
Mr Mundell described the change as a positive development striking the right balance between allowing ceremonies and controlling Covid-19.
He said: "This is a small, but no less important, step. I'm very supportive.
"There are excellent venues in Tweeddale with space where weddings and civil partnerships could take place with suitable safety precautions.
"The relaxation is not only good news for those couples wishing to formalise their relationship but also, hopefully, sets the scene for better times ahead after lockdown for our vitally important hospitality industry."