A SCENIC SPOT on the isle became the setting for a truly memorable moment when Canadian couple Brodie Davis and Rayna Anderson got engaged during a recent visit to the Isle of Bute.
For Brodie, the island is far more than a holiday destination — it’s home in the deepest sense.
He said: “Both of my grandparents, Isobel and Tommy Davis, my aunt and uncle, Colin and Joan Davis, and cousins Lauren and Megan have lived on the island well before I was born.
“My father and his three brothers, including Colin, all grew up here.
“To my understanding, there’s a long lineage of Davis’ on the island.”
Though Brodie was born in Aberdeen, his family moved to Canada when he was just three years old.
Still, Bute remained a constant presence in his life.
He added: “We would visit every two to three years.
“I have fond memories of seeing seals at Scalpsie, going to Zavaroni’s, putting with Papa Tommy, and seeing movies at the theatre.”
So when the time came to propose to Rayna, Brodie knew there was only one place it could happen.
He said: “Rayna and I have visited the seals together every time and we always love it.
“It’s quiet and has a beautiful view, so it worked well.”
With help from Lisa at Scalpsie Farm — who even let the couple visit some puppies as a pre-proposal treat — Brodie pulled off the perfect surprise: “I was stressed and nervous that the surprise would be ruined, but all went well, and Paul Simpson took some great photos from a distance.”
And Rayna was none the wiser.
She added: “I was completely taken by surprise.
“I really didn’t think he would be able to trick me, but I love the seals so much I got distracted.
“It was an absolutely lovely moment with the love of my life.”
The couple, who live in Calgary, are now turning their thoughts to wedding plans.
Brodie said: “Rayna is in medical school, so we plan to time the wedding during a gap in her studies — likely summer of 2027.”
