Forget runaway brides, because an airport has now played host to its first RUNWAY bride. Rhona McWilliam got married to Billy Somerville on Oban Airport ’s landing strip. The couple, who live in Kilmalcolm, Renfrewshire, had been married before but wanted something special this time.
The runway was the perfect setting because Billy had spent time there with the Royal Naval Reserves and Rhona is cabin crew with Jet2. Rhona, 49, said: “All the usual places didn’t mean anything to either of us. “Our friends were totally surprised. They all said, ‘Where did that idea come from?’ Billy, 50, added: “I have been all over the world with the Reserves but when we came up to Oban we thought, ‘Let’s make it here.’ The people here have gone out of their way to help us.” Billy donned his chief petty officer’s uniform for the ceremony, officiated by Oban registrar Gemma Cummins, while Rhona wore a full-length cream lace wedding dress.
She arrived at the ceremony in an airport fire engine and was piped down the runway by local girl Emma Law. Billy’s brother-in-law Duncan MacKenzie was best man and his wife Jean was on the guest list with Rhona’s friend Eileen Johnston and husband Kenny. No sooner had the wedding photos been taken than a scheduled flight from Coll and Tiree landed 25 minutes early. The couple will go on honeymoon to the Caribbean at the end of May.
