When Andy Murray was considering where to hold his wedding ceremony and reception, the multi-millionaire Scottish tennis player could have had the pick of the world's top destinations. Maybe he would have followed the example of footballer Wayne Rooney and splashed out on a lavish bash in Italy (reportedly £5 million). Alternatively, he could have stayed somewhat nearer to home, by encouraging his guests to pop across to nearby Ireland, perhaps at the gothic Luttrellstown Castle, just outside Dublin, where the Beckhams held their nuptials. Instead, in acknowledgement of his Scottish roots and where he was brought into the world, he has decided to utilise the facilities at his own hotel, located not a million miles from his home town of Dunblane.
A proud Scotsman (although the Brits take him to their hearts from time to time as well), Murray has plumped for marrying Sussex-born Kim Sears at the five-star hotel in Perthshire, which is situated only a few miles away from Dunblane. It is believed that the happy couple will be arranging a private service for 11th April this year at the Cromlix House Hotel, which the two-time Grand Slam winner purchased in 2013 for a figure of around £1.8 million. Maybe, being a canny Scot he had already earmarked the venue for his wedding and wanted to ensure that booking the dates he had in mind wouldn't be an issue with the management, but he and the rest of his family clearly like the location. His brother Jamie, a Wimbledon mixed-doubles winner in his own right, was married at the same venue in 2010, before it was owned by the Murray clan.
The hotel was re-opened last year after a refurbishment and boasts its own chapel, so seems to be a perfect spot to hold both the ceremony and reception.
It has been quite some journey for the two young people, who have endured through a nine-year courtship (both on court and off it), as Murray has moulded himself into one of the top players in the world of tennis and all the sacrifices that requires.
They have spent many weeks apart, as he has travelled the globe to further his career, and also no doubt shared both the agony and ecstasy in equal measure of his successes and failures.
Now though, for the soon to be Mr and Mrs Murray, they can at least plan ahead for their future together.
