An outdoor Naming Ceremony is brilliant idea, particularly in the glorious Scottish summer on the outskirts of Glasgow. Kat and Jo chose Mugdock Country Park for their son, Solomon’s rainbow-themed naming ceremony. It’s a beautiful place, full of rugged walks and muddy adventure trails but today’s ceremony was in the splendid walled garden looking down to Craigend Pond.

Not that anyone was looking at the pond when this wee fella was about! Solomon was an absolute star, he smiled all the way through his ceremony and he looked so handsome in his little kilt, complete with mini sporran and nappy kilt pin. Too cute!

Solomon’s big sister, Clara, was brilliant. Not only did she lead me and her friends in Ring-a-ring-a-roses, complete with her new favourite second verse, she also recited a poem to Solomon, called ‘Life Gave Me a Little Brother’ and had everyone in stitches as she laughed her way through the last verse:

Life gave me a little brother
to teach me about life.
He loves me,
Aggravates me,
and gives me strength and strife.

 Thank goodness for my brother
He is as special as can be
Don’t mess with my little brother
– or you’ll have to mess with me!

Author unknown

Then, it was a quick trip to Craigend Pond. Jo had painted the kids’ names on two (larger than intended- thanks, Granny Trisha!) pebbles and, after a Celtic blessing and a lot of encouragement from everyone there, the stones were thrown into the pond, narrowly avoiding the gorgeous ducklings that came to join us!

An outdoor ceremony brings its own challenges but as long as you have some shelter and think ahead a bit, it’ll still be magic. Solomon’s day was fab- the kids were great, everyone was smiling and happy. Who cares about a bit of rain?