The wedding of actor Robert Carlyle to Anastasia Shirley was a night to remember for all the specially invited guests.

But the bash at luxurious Skibo Castle, near Dornoch, in Sutherland, may well be forgotten by most of them.

Staff at the exclusive hotel say that the party went on long after the sun had risen on the Dornoch Firth yesterday.

Even the Rev Alan Watt, of Dornoch Cathedral, who performed the ceremony, ended up staying at the castle until well after noon.

One member of staff said: ''They had a really good time dancing to an Irish band.

''I think there were a lot of hangovers today, judging by the state of some of the guests''.

Yesterday there was still no sign of the happy couple from outside the Highland hideaway, owned by entrepreneur Peter de Savary.

Guards ensured no unwanted visitors were allowed in, and only post vans and delivery trucks were permitted entry.

Yesterday Mr Watt said: ''I have promised the couple that I will not speak about the ceremony until they issue a press release once it is all over''.

The 30-strong party of the couple's closest friends were treated to a meal and champagne reception prior to the wedding ceremony at midnight on Sunday.

It is though that they chose the unusual time for the service to avoid the groom seeing his bride on their wedding day prior to exchanging vows, which is said to be unlucky.

By timing the service to start after midnight, the couple were able to enjoy the reception before getting married the 'next day'.

The couple had been dating for over a year after meeting on set while Carlyle was playing Liverpool psychopath Albi in the ITV series Cracker, which stars fellow Scot Robbie Coltrane.

When he is not on location, the star shares a #210,000 home with his now bride in the West End of Glasgow.

Glasgow-born actor Carlyle became a house-hold name after making female fans swoon with his portrayal of dope-smoking local bobby Hamish Macbeth in the hit BBC TV series of the same name.

The popular show, set in the fictional village of Lochdubh, was filmed on location in Plockton, Wester Ross.

Carlyle gained recognition as a top-rank film star after he played Edinburgh psychopath Begbie in Trainspotting. He also had a major role in the 1997 British movie The Full Monty, which became an international hit.