Nearly 2,000 same-sex couples have tied the knot in Scotland in the year since the ban on gay marriage was lifted.
People of the same gender were allowed to wed under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act, which came into force in December 2014.
Dundee played host to the first in Scotland when Leanne and Marie Banks, from Whitfield, went to the registry office on Commercial Street at 8.45am on December 16 to convert their civil partnership into marriage.
Nicola Sturgeon wished the couple well when she tweeted: “Happy anniversary to all those who got hitched when #equalmarriage became legal this time last year.”
The latest National Records figures show 1,137 couples have changed civil partnerships to marriages, while a further 573 have married, between December 2014 and September last year.
MSPs made same-sex marriages lawful in the face of opposition from the Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland. Communities minister Marco Biagi said December 31 2014 when the ceremonies could first take place was a “momentous day for equality in Scotland”.
“We are now a year on, and around 2,000 people have been able to marry the person they love,” he said.
“This is something to celebrate. Scotland has shown the kind of country it is by leading the way, and ensuring we are a fairer and more equal country.
“For those couples who married a year ago today we’d like to say ‘happy anniversary’, and celebrate in the knowledge that many more same-sex couples can show their love and commitment to each other through a marriage ceremony in the same way as any other couple.”
Susan and Gerrie Douglas-Scott were one of the first same-sex couples to be married in Scotland just after midnight on Hogmanay.
Gerrie said: “Being supported in our marriage by Scottish law has meant so much to us and our children a fairer, more just Scotland. Let’s take it further, to reach all of those who are still struggling to be accepted within their communities. This is what we hope for, and know it will come.”