A FITNESS instructor made sure love was in the air after roping in an airline to help him propose to his girlfriend.

Romantic Stephen McCann, 50, had his heart set on the island of Barra's picturesque beach to pop the question to Bridget Byrne, 42,

With the help of Highlands and Islands airport staff and Loganair, he had the message “Bridget will you marry me?” etched into the sand along the world’s only tidal beach runway.

The letters were so large they could be seen from the air as the couple approached the island on a Loganair flight booked for Stephen’s 50th.

Reading the words, a stunned Bridget said “yes,” much to the delight of everyone onboard.

Stephen, from Torrance, near Glasgow, 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.

“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.

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Stephen, who also works as a photographer, and cafe owner Bridget have been together for three years after meeting at a fitness class in Bishopbriggs in 2020.

The couple share a passion for travel so using the unique tidal runway made it a special location for Stephen's sky-high proposal.

“It really was a special moment and beyond anything we could have hoped for", he 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 pilot Daniel Tye 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."

Barra Airport’s Fire Service Watch Manager, Hector MacPhee, added: “The team at the airport were delighted to assist Stephen in asking this very special question.

“We arranged the message in the sand and kept in touch with Loganair’s team throughout the morning, helping to facilitate a fly over the beach so the message could be seen clearly.”

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