THERE was no hanging about but certainly fireworks for Samantha Erskine and Robert Harvie after getting engaged on November 5, 2023 – they planned and organised their wedding in just eight months, tying the knot in Biggar on July 6 this year.

As Samantha explains: “We got married in Biggar Church – I have loved this church since I was a child and always wanted to get married here. We then had our reception at Boswell’s Estate, Auckinleck. We loved the marquee at this venue and that it was on a farm, linking well with our lives.”

The couple planned everything themselves and made some decorations from items on their farm Mayfield, at Coalburn. “We had a big wedding with180 all-day guests and 40 evening guests,” says Samantha, a primary school teacher in South Lanarkshire. “Reverend Kaye Gardiner of Kenmure Parish Church, Bishopbriggs married us – Kaye has known Robert all his life, so it made the service more personal.”

Samantha had two maid of honours – her friend Sophie Law and Hazel Harvie, Robert’s sister. Two of her cousins, Isobel and Lynsey Currie, were bridesmaids while the page boy and flower girl, Jack Law, 5, and Ellie Law, 2, rose to the occasion on the day.

Meanwhile, Robert had two best men – Gavin Law and Matthew Davies – along with four ushers (David Bell, William Erskine, Andrew Johnstone, and John Hope).

Samantha adds: “We had our two nephews – James and Oscar King – as junior groomsmen who helped to set up the marquee before the wedding and make decorations.

“They did an excellent job during the day as the ring bearers and keeping the rings safe as well as giving all 180 of our guests confetti at the end of the church service.”

Big Bite Catering did the food which was ‘lovely’, while Samantha’s mum, Isabella, made 400 pieces of shortbread to be served after the meal – she had many late nights before the wedding baking! “My granny, Isobel Taylor, made our wedding cake with three different flavours of cakes,” adds Samantha. “The cake was gorgeous and enjoyed by all. My auntie, Christina Gracie, made extra cakes to ensure there was enough for everyone.”

Beautiful flowers were provided by the Flower Croft featuring a white and green theme with all flowers handed out to friends and family at the end of the evening. And there were two photographers – Lorna Johnstone and George Stark – on hand to record the events of the day.

Says Samantha: “We had traditional wedding attire. All men were in matching kilts which were Flower of Scotland tartan hired from Panache in Lanark. My bridal party all had matching sage green dresses and mine was a Justina wedding dress by Romantica Collections.

“We had a lovely wedding day and were extremely lucky with the weather. We thank everyone who helped and attended our wedding and for making it so special. It was so lovely that so many of our friends and family came to celebrate our marriage and we ceilidh danced until the end of the evening with a great band, Kenny Johnstone Accordion Band.

The couple chose the Lake District for their honeymoon which was a relaxing affair although they ventured out onto the water to do some paddleboarding with a picturesque backdrop and stunning views.

Samantha, who is from Middle Mains Farm, Biggar, and Robert, who is a fertiliser representative with Origin, live at Mayfield where they farm beef and sheep, and run 80 suckler cows, 15 pedigree Texel ewes and 100 commercial ewes.

 

Essentially, they have two full-time jobs each! “We work on the farm before and after our outside jobs and our two nephews, James and Oscar, spend a lot of time with us – helping outside and learning,” says Samantha.

“Robert is the third generation at Mayfield and the farm has been in the family for 60 years. He has come up through all ranks in Young Farmers being a past Lesmahagow chairman, Lanarkshire chairman, and sat on both the West and National councils.

“The pedigree flock was established in 2017 with one of Robert’s best friends Matthew Davies and has had good success selling tups which have gone on to breed lambs up to 42,000gns – Ettrick Grey Goose.

“Robert has also won the Lanarkshire calf rally twice with a calf bred from Comrie, Stonebyres, and one from Rennie, West Torphin.

“I am a past member of Biggar Young Farmers and enjoyed playing my accordion in Young Farmers concerts. I took part in handicrafts and won Lanarkshire Root & Grain.”

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