Mar 24, 2009, 11:45 GMT
Britain's Queen Mother's former home has refused to allow gay couples to marry on its premises.
Trustees at Scotland's Castle of Mey have decided that only Christian weddings should take place there, claiming the late Queen Mother - who died in 2002 aged 101 - would have wanted all ceremonies to be presided over by a priest or vicar.
Trust administrator James Murray said the castle can host Christian weddings without a marriage license as vicars and priests have their own permits. If the building wanted to allow civil ceremonies it would have to apply for a license.
He added: "I think the trust is perfectly entitled to say that if you want to get married here that is wonderful, but we would like it to be a religious ceremony. I don't think it is discrimination, no."
He added that while the issue of civil weddings had been discussed, the trustees had not specifically talked about gay marriages.
Liberal Democrat MP Viscount Thurso who is on the board of trustees confirmed: "I can categorically state that we have never, ever discussed the issue of gay or civil partnerships and, if we had, I would have said precisely what I said to you, which is I'm utterly relaxed about it in principle."
Homosexual rights group Outrage has already expressed their disappointment at the decision.
Spokesman David Allison said: "This seems even more ridiculous given that the Queen Mother surrounded herself with gay people. Doing this at the Queen Mother's old residence is particularly odd. She had no problem with gay people, quite the opposite."
Christina Stokes of Stonewall Scotland - which promotes equality for gays, lesbians and bisexuals, added: "As the Earl of Devon discovered last summer, it is illegal for a venue to allow weddings and yet turn away couples who want a civil partnership."
Lord Devon had his wedding license for Powderham Castle near Exeter withdrawn after he refused to let two men marry on the grounds.
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