Ashley Judd: Plans brought forward

Madonna and husband Ritchie were married at nearby Skibo Castle last December, and their son was christened in the town's cathedral.

Guests at that event included the pop star Sting and designer Stella McCartney.

Edinburgh-born Indycar driver Franchitti and actress Judd had originally posted their notice of intent to marry at nearby Bonar Bridge, giving the proposed date as 31 January.

However, new banns have been put on display in Dornoch.

The couple's names were given as George Dario Marino Franchitti and Ashley Tyler Ciminella.

Registrar Lesley Connor said she had received notice of the change from the General Register Office in Edinburgh on Thursday.

She said: "I had notification of it yesterday.

"They have requested through the GRO to have it changed. Edinburgh agreed that rather than having them go through another 14 days' notice, their notice would just be displayed here."

Carnegie Club

The couple were reported to be planning an extravagant ceremony at a cost of about £1.3m.

The venue was understood to be the prestigious Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle.

Those believed to be on the guest list include Carnegie regular Michael Douglas and his wife Catherine Zeta Jones, as well as Speed star Sandra Bullock.

Dornoch provost and councillor Duncan Allan said: "I hope that the people who come north will receive true Highland hospitality, which includes not interfering with their privacy.

"In Dornoch we treat celebrities with amusement, we see a lot of them coming here to play golf, we're quite used to it."