Come to the End Together

The bride showed me a small shallow, intricately carved bowl with two flat lug handles. The quaich had been in her Scottish grandparents family home for generations.

Traditionally the quaich (pronounced quake) was used as a cup of welcome or farewell in the Scottish Highlands – usually filled with brandy or whisky. They were originally made from wood until the late seventeenth century when pewter, silver or gold quaich’s became more popular. Its ancestor was the scallop shell.

For this wedding I encouraged and supported the bride’s grandparents to offer the quaich and the blessing to the couple.

“Into this quaich we have poured a small amount of sweet and bitter wine. Life will pour into this marriage the rich and varied tastes of life experiences. With loyalty, respect, caring and love the bitterness can be blended with the sweet so that your life may be full and rich.”  They welcomed the groom into their family clan.

The couple then each took a sip from the quaich and declared:

“Let us share our sorrows and joys, let our intentions guide us to be loyal, respectful, caring and kind. May our love weather whatever comes.”

A Scottish Blessing

Strike hands with me, the glasses brim,
The dew is on the heather.
For love is good and life is long,
And two are best together.

Bless the union of these two,
Eager for marriage, eager for love.
May they begin life together,
Live that life together
And come to the end together.

Unknown Author

Two little quaich’s that I found on my travels in the Scottish Highlands