It has been a long time coming but, from Hogmanay this year, gay couples will finally be able to marry in Scotland on an equal basis with heterosexual couples.
The change makes Scotland a world leader with its progressive legislation on gay marriage. It is nearly nine years since the first same-sex unions were recognised in law in Scotland.
Civil partnerships, ground-breaking as they were, did not represent full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. Understandably, many campaigners felt the halfway house was intolerable and have assiduously campaigned for full marriage rights. Their demands have met with a receptive audience at Holyrood and now equal marriage is on the verge of becoming reality.
The group Scotland for Marriage claims a "silent majority" oppose same-sex marriage but a YouGov poll last December actually found 56 per cent of Scots are in favour, with 35 per cent opposed.
The key to the fairness of this law is that no religious celebrant will be forced to conduct same sex marriages. That ensures everyone's rights and beliefs are respected, which is the ideal outcome.
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