Scots Celebrant
CELEBRATE LOVE.When I set out to become a celebrant in Scotland I knew that it is the heritage we have in this country spanning centuries that make us the people we are…
Who is Scots Celebrant?
Welcoming you into your new life. Together.
My name is Gillian Johnston, however, I am professionally known as the Scots Celebrant. As the Master of Ceremonies, I perform ceremonies with the purpose of celebrating and sharing love between couples of all religions, faiths, spiritualities and those of none.
When I set out to become a celebrant in Scotland I knew that it is the heritage we have in this country spanning centuries that make us the people we are; traditions such as handfasting and jumping the besom resonate with Celtic and Northern Traditions and it is respecting and upholding such traditions that have shaped the forms of ceremonies I now tailor so couples can benefit from a Scottish style of wedding regardless of whether they are native to Scotland and the UK or ex-pats who simply wish to return to the homeland for this special and unique experience.
The most important aspect of the ceremony is ensuring you, as the couple, and your guests, are completely engaged with the entire experience and that it resonates with everything that has meaning to you. This means I take the time to get to know what you want to get from the day and tailor the ceremony to fit that criteria. This can take many weeks of preparation, however, whether you are planning a marriage, renewal, betrothal or even a naming ceremony, it means you are always fully involved and your ideas are the building blocks that make the ceremony unique.
It also means that you can either choose to have absolutely no spiritual or religious content whatsoever included or, conversely, as much religious or spiritual content as you wish. This degree of flexibility is not, generally, catered for within religious or civil ceremonies, normally a degree of compromise must be reached when looking at either of these options, however I come from the belief that the content is entirely your decision. This is your day and it is my pleasure to make sure your wishes are fully respected.
Your Ceremony
The celebration of your footsteps going forward.
TRADITIONS
Handfasting is the traditional practice of binding the hands of a couple with vows being spoken stating their commitment often used as the marriage of both parties.
Jumping the besom is a simple but powerful ritual which involves a couple jumping over a broom into their new life together. This is often used as a marriage ceremony or as a reaffirmation of a marriage.
Location. Anywhere!
Get married wherever you feel connected!
Some like to get married in fields, others like to get married in castles… and then there’s some that like to spend their special day sharing vows on the top of a mountain looking over the Scottish Highlands. Living in Scotland, I am fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the Highlands frequently and welcome ceremonies anywhere that isn’t an actual church.