The Prince and Princess of Wales are spending their 14th wedding anniversary in Scotland on the Isle of Mull. William and Kate will tour the island over two days and visit community halls that their Royal Foundation is helping to refurbish. The couple, who married at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011, will stay at a self-catering cottage on Mull following official engagements. William and Kate, known by their Scottish titles the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, met while studying at the University of St Andrews. This is the first time Kate has been on an overnight stay during an official engagement since her cancer treatment. The princess hasn't traveled too far from home in Windsor – so to come to Mull and Iona and spend some time here is significant. We're told by those who work with the couple that they had wanted to visit Mull for a long time. It's not hard to see why – its natural beauty is on show everywhere. In recent months the princess, in particular, has spoken of how connecting with nature has given her strength. She will get a chance to do that here during several engagements – from visiting a local croft to taking part in some outdoor learning with schoolchildren in an ancient woodland. It is exactly 14 years since they got married in Westminster Abbey with thousands lining the street for their wedding procession up to Buckingham Palace. The celebrations will be a bit less grand today. The prince and princess will spend their wedding anniversary night in a self-catering holiday cottage on Mull – a decision we're told they've made to support the tourism industry on the Scottish islands . Mull, on Scotland's west coast, is part of lands once ruled by the Lord of the Isles - one of a number of Scottish titles William inherited from his father when Charles became King. The visit will begin with a tour of Aros Hall, home to a community fridge which saves food from landfill, a charity shop and a children's indoor play area. Later they will visit the nearby harbour to chat to makers and creators at Tobermory Producers Market. They will end their day by traveling to a combined croft and restaurant on the west coast of Mull, touring some of its 50 acres of land, seeing the Hebridean sheep farmed on site, and helping select garden produce for the menu. William and Kate will also spend time privately at Pennyghael Community Hall and on the island of Iona after taking the public ferry from Mull and meeting those who use and run the service. The visit aims to highlight the importance of communities and protecting and championing the natural environment. The Royal Foundation's Community Impact Programme is providing undisclosed grants for the renovation of facilities at Aros Hall in Tobermory, where popular BBC children's TV series Balamory was filmed. Communal spaces will also be updated and roof repairs undertaken at Pennyghael Community Hall. Interior designer Banjo Beale, presenter of the BBC's Designing The Hebrides programme and a Mull resident, will work with islanders to ensure community-owned centres in Mull's main town of Tobermory and the village of Pennyghael reflect the area's culture. He said: "It's an absolute joy to be working with the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales to redesign and preserve these vital community spaces. "Together, we're not just restoring old walls - we're reimagining what's possible when community and creativity come together. I'm excited to breathe new life into beloved buildings and celebrate the island's warmth, resilience and quiet magic." — BBC
