Acts of Dove

26/08/2026

Behind every beautiful dove release is a lot of hard work 🕊️

Release, return, repeat… again and again. Every training flight helps our doves build fitness, strength, stamina and confidence.

It’s a true family effort too, with my husband and son both playing their part. Patience, consistency and teamwork—that’s what goes into every flight 🤍

BirdLovers Teamwork

26/08/2026

What you see is a beautiful dove release—but what you don’t always see is the hard work, dedication and teamwork behind every flight. 🕊️

Release, return, repeat… again and again. Each training flight helps our doves build their fitness, strength, stamina and confidence, preparing them to fly safely and return home.

It’s very much a family effort too. My husband and sons both play their part, and it’s lovely to share the experience and see everyone’s hard work come together.

There are no shortcuts—just patience, consistency, plenty of repetition and a family working together.

25/08/2026

A beautiful and moving moment from the annual Thistle Service held by St Andrew’s Hospice, as families watched the doves being released in memory of their loved ones. 🕊️

A peaceful tribute filled with love, remembrance and reflection.

19/08/2026

A little upgrade behind the scenes at Acts of Dove.

I’m a firm believer that if I want to provide the best service I can, I need to make sure the equipment I’m using is up to the job too.

There’s so much more that goes into each dove release than what you see on the day. From writing personalised poems and managing bookings, to editing photographs and creating the videos families receive afterwards, a huge part of my work happens behind the scenes.

Investing back into Acts of Dove means I can keep improving the service I give to every family who trusts me to be part of such an important occasion.

So today, it was time for a little upgrade… new Mac day!
It's green! my very fav......after black of course.

18/08/2026

I was standing quietly at a funeral waiting for my cue for the dove release.

As I waited, I noticed someone put their arm around the person beside them.

That was it. No words. No big gesture. Just an arm around a shoulder.

It made me think about how much the smallest things can matter when someone is grieving.

We often worry about what to say. We want to find the right words, make things better or somehow take a little of the hurt away.

But sometimes there aren't any words.

Sometimes just sitting beside someone, holding their hand, making them a cup of tea or putting an arm around their shoulder says everything that needs to be said.

Maybe that’s the reminder: you don’t always need to know what to say. Sometimes, just being there is enough.

If someone you know is grieving, don’t underestimate the small things. Send the message. Make the cup of tea. Sit beside them. Put your arm around their shoulder.

It might feel like a small gesture to you, but to them, it could mean everything.

17/08/2026

I’m so pleased this story has had a happy ending.

Firstly, a huge thank you to the team at Hurlet Crematorium. From the moment they realised these wee birds had been left behind, they did everything they could to keep them safe. It took a lot of patience and persistence to eventually secure them safely, and I’m very grateful that they trusted me to help.

I collected both doves from Hurlet on Saturday and gave them a wee once-over. Thankfully, both were fit, healthy and none the worse for their unexpected adventure. The female of the pair was a little bit sassy!!

These birds are fantail doves or have at least been crossed with a fantail dove, which are very different from the homing doves I keep and release.

I don't keep fantails myself, so I asked a friend of mine if he would rehome them for me. He keeps both racing pigeons and fantails, so I knew they would be going somewhere with the right knowledge, environment and care for this particular type of bird.
They are now safely settled into their new home, which is exactly what I wanted for them.

I also want to thank the team at Hurlet for recognising that what happened here isn't representative of how a responsible dove release should be carried out.

Dove releases can be done safely and responsibly when the correct birds are used and their welfare and safe return home are at the heart of everything.

Rather than allowing this terrible experience to tar all dove releases with the same brush, I hope something positive can come from it.

Over the next wee while, I’m going to share more information about the differences between fantails and genuine homing doves, the things you should look for and the questions you
should ask when choosing someone to carry out a dove release.

And I want to be clear: that isn't about telling people they have to book Acts of Dove.

Even if you choose someone else, I want families, funeral directors and venues to know what a safe, responsible dove release should look like and what to look for when choosing a reputable dove handler.

For now, though, I'm just delighted these two wee doves are safe, healthy and exactly where they should be.

14/08/2026

There are some people we wish could be there for the biggest moments in our lives.

A dove release can be a beautiful way to bring the memory of those loved and missed into a wedding day, creating a moment to quietly acknowledge the people who should have been there to see it.

For this couple, releasing two white doves gave them a special moment to remember their loved ones together, while still keeping the focus on the happiness and celebration of their wedding day.

Because celebrating a new chapter doesn’t mean leaving those we love behind. Sometimes, it simply means finding a meaningful way to carry their memory with us into it.

Memorial dove releases can be incorporated into your wedding day in a way that feels personal to you and your family.

If you’d like to include someone special in your wedding day, message me to chat about creating a release that feels right for you.

Photo by the wonderful View-Photography

13/08/2026

Long post, but an important one.

I want to share this article, but also make something very clear from the outset.

The two doves mentioned in this article are not Acts of Dove birds.

These two doves were left behind at Hurlet Crematorium following a dove release.

The team at Hurlet contacted me straight away. We have a good relationship, and they trust my experience and expertise when it comes to the care and welfare of doves, so I am now helping to support the team in looking after these two new feathered additions.

I really want to highlight just how fantastic the team at Hurlet Crematorium have been throughout this.

Before the release took place, they specifically asked whether the doves were homing birds and were assured that they were.

When it became clear that the birds had been left behind, they did everything within their power to keep them safe, cared for and protected, while immediately seeking the right advice and help.

They have genuinely gone above and beyond for these two wee birds.

I’m sharing this because it highlights something I feel very strongly about.

Not all dove releases are the same.

A dove release isn't simply about opening a basket and watching beautiful white birds fly away. There is a huge responsibility that comes with releasing them, and that responsibility doesn't end when the birds leave your hands.

Before booking a dove release, please make sure you are using an experienced and reputable dove handler.

Ask questions. Where do the birds live? Are they genuine homing birds? How are they trained? Are they regularly exercised and conditioned? What measures are in place to ensure those birds return safely home?
My own doves are homing birds. They are regularly trained, kept fit and familiarised with the routes and areas I work in.

Before every release, consideration is given to the weather, daylight, location and flying conditions to make sure the release can be carried out safely.

We are registered with the Scottish Homing Union, the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), and we hold appropriate insurance.

These aren't simply badges or pieces of paperwork. They are part of operating responsibly and giving families, funeral directors and venues reassurance that the birds in our care are looked after to the highest standard.

The team at Hurlet have done an amazing job caring for these two wee doves, and I'm very happy to be able to help.

A responsible dove release should be beautiful and meaningful for the family, but it must always be safe for the birds too.

Two doves that stayed behind after a funeral release at The Hurlet Crematorium in Glasgow have turned out to be show pigeons, staff reveal.

12/08/2026

There’s something really special about hearing how a dove release felt from the family’s point of view.

Chloe’s words mean so much because every detail matters to me, from the poem and the release itself to the little memories captured along the way.

It is always such a privilege to be trusted with a moment that means so much.

Thank you, Chloe, for such lovely words.