A bride-to-be has been left "devastated" at having her wedding cancelled after a popular venue announced it was closing.
Culcreuch Castle Hotel, in Fintry just 20 miles outside of Glasgow , announced at the weekend it will shut on January 3, 2020 which has left many couples in the lurch about their big day.
Mhairi-Claire Hunter, 32, and Stewart Peters , 32, from Kilsyth, were supposed to have her wedding at the picturesque venue in July next year, however they are now frantically looking for a new location.
Like many couples, they found out on Saturday after a letter was sent by general manager Robert Reynolds.
On opening the letter, Mhairi-Claire said: "I was utterly devastated. I broke down in tears when I saw the letter. I wasn't expecting it at all, there was no prior warning, no phonecall, nothing.
"It's soul destroying and a cold-hearted decision by the owners to close it. It has been awfully handled.
"We had everything sorted for the wedding but now we've got to look around again to find a place we want to get married.
"After reading the letter I called the hotel to find out more but they told me nothing. There was no sympathy for our situation and no help at all.
"We were told the owner no longer wants to do weddings, that's all we were told."
Culcreuch Castle Hotel was receptionist Mhairi-Claire and Tesco worker Stewart 's first choice venue for their big day next summer.
She said: "I remember when I first saw the castle. I wanted to get married there, it's perfect - so for it to be cancelled has just ruined it.
"Culcreuch was ideal for us as it was dog friendly.
"Having my two wee boy dogs at the wedding was a big thing for me, so if I can't have them there then it will be devastating."
Mhairi-Claire is now on the hunt for a new venue for her wedding and started looking yesterday.
She said: "We booked the venue about a year ago so we now have to look for another one.
"I have everything booked so I am now worried about suppliers because if we can't get the same date then they might be booked up already.
"We have people coming from all over so we want something close. I have started to look again."
Mhairi-Claire is one of many brides affected by the decision. Others have also taken to social media to express their disappointment at having their wedding cancelled.
Shelly Cox posted a picture of her letter and said: "We are absolutely gutted! Our venue has just cancelled our wedding.
"If anyone has any recommendations for venues from your wedding or weddings you have been to we would be very grateful."
While Louise Docherty posted on Facebook: "Absolutely gutted.
"Back to square 1 we go..."
Robert Reynolds, who has been general manager of the hotel for 13 years, sent letters to the people affected by the closure of the hotel.
As a result of the venue closing, a decision made by its American-based owner, around 30 full and part-time employees will lose their jobs.
Robert said: "The owner has decided to close the hotel for restoration.
"The estate will stay open but the hotel will close ,so it's not just the weddings affected.
"We have staff here who are pretty devastated they are losing their job.
"I have made sure the owners refunded the brides."
