‘Beyond anything we could have hoped for’: Couple get engaged on famous Barra beach runway

Stephen McCann popped the question to his girlfriend Bridget Byrne with a huge message written in the sand.

By Ross Hempseed

August 17 2023, 1:35 pm

Stephen McCann proposes to his girlfriend of three years Bridget Byrne on Barra. Image: Loganair/Big Partnership

They say love is written in the stars, but for one couple it was written in the sand as a special surprise awaited at Barra Airport.

Stephen McCann arranged as special surprise for his girlfriend Bridget Byrne to make their trip to the island unforgettable.

The 50-year-old photographer and fitness instructor from East Dunbartonshire pulled out all the stops, thanks to some help from Loganair and Barra Airport staff.

As the plane descended into Barra, etched into the airport’s tidal runway, were the words “Bridget, will you marry me”.

Written in the sand were the words “Bridget will you marry me”. Image: Loganair/Big Partnership.

The message could be seen by all the passengers inside the small plane, including a “stunned” Miss Bryne.

Cafe owner Ms Bryne, ,who had booked the trip to Barra for Mr McCann’s 50th birthday, promptly said “yes.”

Mr McCann said: “When I first had the idea of a beach proposal, I didn’t think it would be possible but after reaching out to the Loganair and Barra Airport team, they were so accommodating.

“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.

‘It’s something we will both never forget’

“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’.

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

Mr McCann and his bride-to-be first met back in 2020 at a fitness class.

The couple were originally heading to Barra for Mr McCann’s 50th birthday. Image: Loganair/Big Partnership.

Daniel Tye, captain of the Loganair flight, 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.”

Mr McCann added: “It really was a special moment and beyond anything we could have hoped for.

“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.”