How It All Began

Our story starts in the Highlands of Scotland, in a small village called Kinlochleven. It was August 2021, near the end of the Covid pandemic. Ally was visiting her best friend, Katie, and Tam was living and working in the village. At a local house party, Ally walked in and spotted Tam sitting on the kitchen counter in a bright red polo, thick glasses, and his signature “butt chin.” He didn’t say much that night—he still blames that on not being able to get a word in—but the spark was there.

A couple of weeks later, Tam tracked down Ally’s number, and from that moment, everything changed. We spent the rest of her trip exploring Kinlochleven, spending time with Tam’s family, walking the dogs along the pier walk, and getting to know each other. When Ally returned home to Toronto that November, we decided to give long distance a real chance.

A Love Across the Ocean

For months, we kept our connection alive through daily messages, phone calls, and care packages across the Atlantic. The time zones and busy schedules were tough, and eventually, we took a short break—only to realize that life apart wasn’t what either of us wanted. When Ally returned to Scotland in the summer of 2022, it was as if no time had passed. We picked up right where we’d left off — adventuring along the west coast, eating our weight in seafood, and falling in love all over again. The Isle of Mull quickly became our favourite place. Something about the wild beauty, the quiet, and the sense of home sealed it for us.

A New Adventure Together

Feeling ready for the next step, Tam decided to face one of his biggest fears—flying—and booked his first flight ever to Canada. When he landed in Toronto and saw Ally waiting for him, he knew it was worth every bit of stress. The trip was filled with meeting Ally’s family, cottage days at Go Home Lake, and a denim-on-denim themed birthday party for Ally and her dad. By the end of the visit, Tam knew he wanted to build a life with Ally in Canada.

After months of planning, visas, and goodbyes, Tam officially moved to Toronto in January 2023. We found a cozy apartment near High Park with our friend Fiona and started our next chapter together.

Building a Life Together

Since then, we've shared countless memories—birthday celebrations with both families, trips back to Scotland, holidays in Florida and Costa Rica, and everyday moments of laughter, cooking, and fun with friends. Tam has grown his career and made excellent friends here, while Ally continues to thrive as a teacher. Our families, once separated by an ocean, have become wonderfully intertwined, visiting and making memories on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Future Ahead

Now, after three years of adventures, laughter, long flights, and love, we’re beyond excited to celebrate our wedding back where it all began — in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull.

It’s the place where we truly found each other — and we can’t wait to bring our favourite people to the island that brought us together in the first place. So pack your bags, get ready for some Scottish weather (and a dram or two), and join us as we say “I do” in the most magical corner of the world.