A COUPLE have backed a local travel agent's bid to win a major industry award after they organised the newlyweds dream honeymoon on the other side of the world

Wendy and Stephen Walton sampled fine wines in the vineyards of Chile and live tangos on the streets of Buenos Aires thanks to LAH Travel, which has been shortlisted in the 2020 Scottish Wedding awards.

Owner Linda Hill told the News that she was delighted to create memories the couple will cherish forever.

She said: "That is what we are here for and hopefully why we are shortlisted for this big award."

Wendy added: "It was really the perfect honeymoon.

"Stephen and I were married in July but we wanted a big honeymoon over Christmas and the New Year.

"Obviously being a West Kilbride girl, I have known Linda for quite a while and we had been thinking for a while about honeymoon planning.

"I have always tried to get Stephen on a cruise ship and we found this amazing cruise from Argentina round to San Antonio and going up to Montevideo, which would also take in the Chilean fjords.

"Stephen is an adventurer while I like my luxury so this was holiday was the ideal combination.

"It was amazing.

"We visited one of the world's largest penguin colonies and it was during mating season so you saw all the baby penguins and their burrows - it was so cute.

"Buenos Aires was also amazing and seeing people dancing the tango in the Street was an amazing thing to witness.

"We stood where Eva Peron did her famous speech and also visited her museum. Visiting Santiago was another highlight. It was an amazing city with some stunning architecture.

"We also did the most amazing private wine tour and sampled wine after visiting some of amazing vineyards."

As well as the penguins, there were other some other amazing close-up glimpses of nature.

Wendy said: "When we got off the boat at the tender point in Montevideo, we visited the fish market, and we saw sea lions just milling about. It was an incredible sight to see but just a normal scene in Uruguay."

Wendy added that Linda and her team were always available on the end of a phone if there were any issues or difficulties.

She said: "We just couldn't have done it without Linda and her team."

LAH Travel have been nominated in the Honeymoon Planner of the Year category at the eighth Scottish Wedding Awards, which will take place on Tuesday February 25 at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.

Linda said: "We are delighted to be nominated and are grateful to all our clients who have nominated us."

A spokesperson for The Scottish Wedding Awards 2020 said: “These awards are now recognised as the leading celebration for showcasing those that have demonstrated excellence in the industry.

“The aim is to acknowledge everyone in this sector that has shown skill, commitment and have the customer satisfaction as top priority in their business."