Sting arrives for the wedding on Friday

The roll-call of famous names tipped to have attended the ceremony at Skibo Castle also included Hollywood stars George Clooney, Robin Williams, and Brad Pitt.

However, the wedding ceremony was shrouded in secrecy, with the only confirmation that it even took place coming from the Rev Susan Brown who conducted the service.

The only real public glimpse of the stars was at the baptism of baby Rocco at Dornoch Cathedral on Thursday.

Police chiefs who helped with security arrangements said they were happy with the outcome of the celebrity visit.

Northern Constabulary superintendent Jim Heddle said: "All indications are that Madonna felt secure, happy and comfortable with her stay and that can only be good for the area.

The couple briefly appeared in public at Rocco's christening

"This was a rather good experience for us in policing terms and it has gone really well.

"Given Madonna's worldwide fame and popularity it is reasonable to expect a very large turnout, but we tried to deal with security in a way which would allow the people of Dornoch to get on with their day-to-day life."

Some, however, were playing down the effect that the media frenzy which surrounded the marriage and baby Rocco's baptism would have on the town.

Paul Hart, a local hotel owner, said: "We need to get things into perspective now.

"I know that some towns would be changed forever by the events we have seen here, but I don't think Dornoch will be one of them.

"People here are quite happy to get on with their lives and take each day as it comes."