A WEE COUNTY couple were left heartbroken after finding out their wedding venue was entering liquidation a month before their ceremony.

Sophie Mackie and Jason Kelly were due to get married at Broomhall Castle in Menstrie on September 3.

However, the Cambus couple discovered – via a Facebook post on Wednesday, August 3 – that the venue was entering liquidation.

They were due to pay their remaining balance on Saturday, August 6.

"We're absolutely heartbroken," Sophie told the Advertiser: "Our dream had been shattered a month before the wedding.

"We first booked Broomhall in July 2021."

Thankfully, the couple were able to recover their £1,000 deposit earlier this week and have reorganised their wedding, for the original date, at Dunmar House.

Sophie continued: "The [Dunmar House] owners and staff have been so, so helpful in order of making sure all of our plans from before, for example the wedding menu [and everything else] could go ahead without any changes.

"[We're] very fortunate to have been so lucky to secure another venue so close to our day."

Broomhall Castle's liquidation earlier this month came as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown's impact on the venue.

As a result, all 12 staff have been made redundant.

Furthermore, on top of Sophie and Jason's wedding, the Menstrie venue had a further 17 weddings booked which will now not go ahead.

Last week, on August 2, Ken Pattullo and Kenny Craig of Begbies Traynor were appointed as joint liquidators of Broomhall Castle Management Ltd.

The castle dates back to 1874 and was turned into a small hotel in 1985. With function rooms, a restaurant and 17 en-suite bedrooms, it was a popular wedding venue.

Ken Pattullo, managing partner at Begbies Traynor in Scotland, said: "It is sad to see the demise of this popular hotel after almost 40 years in business.

"Unfortunately, the hospitality sector was one of the worst affected by the disruption of the pandemic with the series of lockdowns over the last two years resulting in a significant loss of revenue.

"We are currently in the process of realising any assets we can to provide the best return for creditors, as well as liaising with anyone who has bookings at the hotel to advise them of the situation so that they can make alternative arrangements for their weddings.

"There are currently 18 weddings booked, almost all of which have been secured via credit cards, so these customers should be able to get their deposits reimbursed by the credit card companies."

Broomhall Castle's Facebook page has disappeared but the website is still live, offering prices and details for wedding bookings.

The castle was built in 1874 and the current owners bought it in 2003.