A newly engaged American couple will invite a Haddington mum and her family to their wedding after she captured the beautiful moment the couple got engaged whilst visiting Seacliff Beach.

Aswar Rahman, 29, was visiting Scotland for the first time over Christmas and New Year with his girlfriend of 10 years, Rachel, where he planned to ask the big question.

The pair, from Minnesota, had travelled to Edinburgh to take in the New Year celebrations before visiting East Lothian on New Year’s Day.

After a planned trip to Tantallon Castle was cut short due to the grounds being closed, the pair visited Seacliff Beach near North Berwick where they took in some beautiful views.

It was here that Aswar decided to pop the question, and sought the help of Haddington mum Alison Arnold, who was also visiting the county with her family from London after leaving Haddington 35 years ago.

Aswar approached the family, pretending to offer to take their picture, before explaining his plan to propose and asking if they could photograph the moment.

Alison eagerly agreed with her daughter also taking a video of the scene which captured the waves and scenic Tantallon Castle in the background.

Aswar told the Courier: “It was a magical moment and I am so so grateful to Alison and her family for their help in getting it on camera.

“I was so nervous when I went up to her and I got way too close before saying anything because I didn’t want Rachel to hear.

“She did so well and the photos and videos are just fantastic. Thankfully Rachel said yes and we couldn’t be happier.

“We’ve got plans for the wedding and Alison and her family will definitely be getting an invite!”

Alison, who was helped by her husband and two kids, aged 12 and eight, said she never thought twice about helping the couple.

She said: “It is just one of those really nice things that I was glad to help with.

“It was a bit nerve wracking because I didn’t want to mess it up. But thankfully it all turned out well in the end.”

The newly engaged couple, who met as university students and both work in the humanitarian field, took in some sights around the county on their trip, including the New Year’s Day Loony Dook in Dunbar.

Aswar said: “We visited North Berwick and tried some of its famous ice cream, what a lovely place it was.

“And we also went along to the Loony Dook at Dunbar. That was such a memorable thing to watch. We were at the beach and then we see so many people of all ages just running into the water! It was crazy and just a great experience.

“We had been planning to come here since Covid so its been a long time coming. The engagement just adds to the experience.”