Romance was certainly in the air for a love-struck couple thanks to an epic beach proposal that could be seen from the sky in the Outer Hebrides.

Stephen McCann and partner Bridget Byrne travelled to Barra last week to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Thanks to the help of Barra Airport staff “Bridget will you marry me?” could be seen etched into the sand as the couple’s Loganair flight approached the island.

Ms Byrne, 42, said “yes” – much to the delight (and relief) of everyone on board.

Mr McCann, a photographer and fitness instructor from Torrance in East Dunbartonshire, said: “Ultimately, we were relying on Mother Nature as a high tide could easily wash away the writing in the sand.

“I was seriously stressed, but literally just before take-off I got confirmation the message was in place, pilots were briefed, and it was all systems go. From then it couldn’t have gone any better.

“Bridget got the surprise of her life looking out the window, so much so she nearly forgot to say ‘yes’.

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“Thankfully she did, and everyone cheered. Then when we landed, I was able to go down on one knee and complete the proposal.

“It really was a special moment and beyond anything we could have hoped for.”

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The couple first met at a fitness class in Bishopbriggs in 2020.

Ms Byrne, who owns Cafe Alba in Milngavie, planned the trip to Barra as a birthday present.

Mr McCann added: “I can’t thank Loganair, their staff, the pilots and everyone at Barra Airport enough for all working together to make this happen. It’s something we will both never forget.”

Loganair’s flight from Glasgow to Barra is the only commercially scheduled flight in the world to use a tidal beach as a runway.

Daniel Tye, captain at Loganair, said: “It’s always special to land at Barra, but it was extra special to overfly the beach so that Bridget could see the proposal written in the sand.

“I was able to see the happy couple from the cockpit and it was wonderful to see her reaction as she saw the message.

“It’s a joy to operate on this route and was a privilege to play a small part in their special day.”

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