American astronaut Jim Reilly was over the moon as he wed his US sweetheart in the special setting of Glamis Castle, three years after the Angus landmark was the launchpad for their romance.
Jim’s stellar career has taken him millions of miles into orbit on three shuttle missions and his bride Allison Benjamin shared a love of space through her role as education director at the Houston space centre in the States.
But it was a close encounter in the Earl of Strathmore’s family home which stirred the pair’s love affair and Jim spoke of his belief that the fairytale romance was written in the stars.
In mid-2007, Jim and Allison’s careers brought them to Scotland on different missions, Allison visiting schools in Dundee and Angus as part of the Discovery Space School Education Programme.
For Jim, the trip was a return to the Tayside area to present a Tam O’Shanter to Perth’s Black Watch museum which he had worn almost six million miles above the earth in the space shuttle Atlantis.
The meeting which led to love was fixed by an Angus matchmaker, John Smith, a friend of the Dowager Countess of Strathmore, who suggested to Jim that he could meet the countess and the Discovery Space School during a Glamis Castle visit.
“I knew Glamis Castle had a special aura but this was an extraordinary experience for me,” said Jim.
“During a tour of the castle we entered the chapel and I suddenly had a picture in my head of me standing at the front, with Allison as my bride.
“Later that day the Dowager Countess asked me if my wife would like to join us at the table the dowager was pointing to Allison!
“In hindsight it would appear that Glamis was weaving its magic spell on us that day as upon returning to the States we began dating.”
Jim added, “Who knows whether our coming together that day was by chance or by some grander design but one thing was sure. Glamis Castle was the only place in the world where we wanted to have our wedding ceremony.”
In an unforgettable event, the couple returned to the historic chapel where they were wed by castle chaplain, Canon Dendle French, in one of his final duties after more than 15 years in the role.
Glamis Castle marketing officer Libby Reynolds said staff were delighted to share in one of the most romantic chapters in the landmark’s recent history.
“What a beautiful story this is,” she said. “We believe that Jim and Allison were captivated by the spirit of Glamis and we are proud to play such a special part in their personal history.”