A CULTURED afternoon looking at one of the best views in Glasgow took on a whole new perspective for tourist Annabel Pope when her boyfriend proposed.

Romantic Nacho Rojo, 26, planned the day under the guise of a birthday treat for Australian Annabel, 24, but he had ulterior motives.

Once the couple reached the 6th floor viewing platform of The Lighthouse's Mackintosh Tower, Nacho dropped to one knee and popped the question.

Annabel said: "I was shocked. I just thought we were going to look at a beautiful view of Glasgow at dusk."

Nacho, an engineer originally from Barcelona, presented lawyer Annabel, from Sydney, with a white gold diamond ring.

They hope to marry at the end of the year in Australia, where they now live.

Annabel had been taken in by Nacho's cover story: "He said he'd organised a look-out viewing because it's my birthday in a few weeks. But then he said: I haven't just organised this for your birthday, I wanted to ask you to marry me!' "Of course I said yes. He treats me like a princess."

The pair met on a university exchange in Sweden and are visiting Glasgow to trace Annabel's roots.

Her gran and grandad, the late Alexander MacDonald and wife Annabel, now 92, emigrated to Australia from Govan after the Second World War.

Their daughter, Sanda, Annabel's mother, was just four when they made the three-week journey by ship to Sydney.

Nacho said: "Annabel hasn't been here since she was two. I thought it would be a nice place to do it. I really like Glasgow."

Nick Barley is director of The Lighthouse, in Mitchell Lane, the former home of the Evening Times and our sister paper The Herald. He said: "We were thrilled when Nacho told us of his plans to propose. We wish them every happiness."

The Lighthouse presented Nacho and Annabel with a bottle of a champagne and a special Scottish Lighthouse bank note.

And staff at St Jude's Hotel on Bath Street, where the couple were staying, also helped Nacho arrange the surprise.

They even ordered Annabel's favourite Bird of Paradise flowers from Holland to decorate the couple's hotel room after the proposal.

Managing partner Justin Purves said: "It was such a lovely story and we were only too happy to help." Do you have a romantic tale to tell? Maybe you're going to propose or have an exciting Valentine's Day planned? Let us know by calling the newsdesk on 0141 302 6520 or send an email to news@eveningtimes.co.uk The Love Bus could be your ticket to paradise

FORGET the top of the Eiffel Tower, a tropical beach or a plush restaurant - how about proposing to your partner on a bus?

It might not sound very romantic, but bus firm Arriva Scotland West is promising a memorable occasion if you want to pop the question.

The company will personalise the bus's screen with "Will you marry me?" and it will be loaded with Champagne and chocolates, rather than passengers.

Ralph Roberts, marketing manager for Arriva Scotland West, said: "We're going to inject a bit of romance into Glasgow with our Love Bus.

"We want to hear from people in Glasgow who are planning to ask someone to marry them on February 14 and we will work with them to set up the special event, using our Love Bus as the mobile venue."

To take up the quirky offer, e-mail love@arriva.co.uk

You can also propose to your partner, or tell them how much you love them, in the Evening Times' Valentines Messages next month. Call 0141 302 6000.