Best Scottish Castle Wedding Venues Guide
Castles. If there’s one thing guaranteed to bring a touch of grandeur to your wedding, it’s a castle. Fortunately, Scotland has an abundance of them, and what’s even more fortunate is that many of them are well-equipped to host your wedding! Interspersed throughout the epic and rugged landscape of Scotland, castles are intimately intertwined in the cultural fabric of Scottish history, and the fact that many may still be used by the public to this day is a bonus to citizens and visitors alike.
I’m sure, if you’re already planning your Scottish wedding and being wed in a castle happens to float your wedding-boat, then you have most likely formed an idea in your imagination of what you dream wedding venue looks like. However, castles are as individual as the people who own them. They come in all shapes and sizes - from grand and palatial, to rustic, weather-hewn edifices; from traditional and authentic, to modern and luxurious 21st Century stately homes.
Here I have curated a list of some of my favourite such venues. From a photographic perspective, but also from a standpoint of good service, nice staff and excellent vibe - these are all things that score highly with me and make everyone’s day better! As a wedding photographer in the West of Scotland I see a lot of the inner workings of weddings. Often couples in the early stages of the wedding planning process have a lot of questions, and in terms of the logistics of how things might run most smoothly on the day itself, I have a lot of experience, and I'm quite happy to chat to any couples who need advice.
Here, in no particular order are some of my favourites!
Boturich Castle - Perched overlooking the famous Loch Lomond with views of the surrounding area that are to die for.
Glenapp Castle - Nestled away in outstanding, varied grounds and just a short jaunt from the rugged coastline of Girvan. A very grand, hidden gem.
Dundas Castle - Impressive in scale and in a beautiful location in South Queensferry, Dundas has just about everything you could wish for photographically speaking.
Dunnottar Castle - Located in Stonehaven near Aberdeen. One of the few venues where you can hold the wedding atop the cliffs overlooking the coast and castle itself.
Barony Castle - Situated in beautiful countryside in the Scottish Borders. The tree-arch tunnel leading to the totally unique ceremonial altar in the woods is a sight to behold.
Ardgowan Estate - Classical stylings, plush inside and out, with amazing natural grounds.
Dunskey Estate - Remote, secluded and coastal with a wealth of photographic options. And a hedge maze!
Blairquhan Castle - Has the classical castle ‘look’, situated in beautiful Ayrshire.
Carlowrie Castle - A fusion of modern interior and beautiful, ivy-covered exterior. A short drive from Edinburgh.
Drumtochty Castle - Beautiful grounds, interiors and even comes with its own chapel if required.
Eileen Donan Castle - Amazing highland location, sitting on its own island!
Mount Stewart - Off the mainland, on the beautiful island of Bute, this incredibly grand building is also right on the coast.
Raemoir House - Outstanding country home in Aberdeenshire.
Barnbougie Castle - Literally right on the Edinburgh coast, great for beach lovers.
Carrick Castle Estate - Situated on the banks of Loch Goil with stunning, lochside views and a rustic barn too!
Culzean Castle - Picturesque and stunning walled-gardens come included with this awesome west-coast venue.
Carberry Tower - Amazing East Coast venue with lush gardens and surroundings. Get married under the canopy of a gigantic tree!
