Where in Scotland to have a destination wedding or elopement
The possibilities are really endless - depending on the vibe you are after and how many guests you might want anything from an iconic landmark in the capital Edinburgh (if you like, Harry Potter land), to a rugged Scottish castle or a grand country home, or a more quirky venue (or even getting married outside as Scottish law is unusual in allowing this), to getting into the Highlands and Islands and maybe hiring a Victorian hunting lodge or cottage (or again, castle - Scotland has no shortage of castles).
All images and films are by Crofts & Kowalczyk
For a destination wedding in Scotland, you are probably either going to plan a wedding that is close enough to an airport, if you’re flying internationally most likely either Edinburgh or Glasgow, or you and your guests might make the extra effort of travelling onwards into the beautiful landscape of the Highlands and Islands, the Borders, or other parts of Scotland such as the SouthWest. Edinburgh in particular is one of the world’s most beautiful cities with iconic venues to get married, and the surrounding countryside is very varied with beaches and hills and is packed with historic houses and castles.
We’ve put in a mix of some of the more smaller intimate venues, as well as a few grand venues that mostly also can cater for smaller wedding parties (perhaps even as small as two, ie. an elopement). We’ve included links to some of our weddings, portrait shoots and films in those locations, so you can see how the venues look in practice. The list is very far from comprehensive but it’s a pretty good starting point. If you have any questions about what it is like to plan a destination wedding in Scotland, please just ask.
1. Edinburgh
I’ve got so much to say about this one, partly because I live in Edinburgh and have pretty much shot weddings at (almost!) all of the dozens of venues. But also because it is one of the best places to get married in the world, and is chock-a-block with castles, historic interiors, country houses, beaches and hills, and quirky locations which are ideal for portrait shoots. It’s a photographer’s dream playground, but ditto for a couple coming here to get married or just for a portrait shoot.
This all needed its own page (and I’ve included links to pages with more materials about each venue.
Edinburgh & surroundings wedding venue guide
2. Fife & Perthshire
Cambo House in Fife, not far from the golf Mecca of St Andrews, is another of our top favourite venues. It has gorgeous quirky interiors filled with original historic paintings and other memorabilia, but also beautiful gardens, including a very special walled garden, and it is not far from the beach.
One other niche which we need to mention as it is such a big part of a Scottish experience is golf. The modern rules of golf as a game originated in Scotland in the 15th century and the country certainly is a big golfing destination which you might consider if you, your family members or spouse are keen. Nothing beats getting married in St Andrews at the Old Course Hotel, situated next to the iconic location. A fresh breeze from the sea leads to some very dynamic photos and film clips!
Kinkell Byre is a great venue for a barn style wedding, with an interior that look great when decked out with sparkly lighting (Kinkell Byre organise all this) and conveniently close to St Andrews. Falside Mill is a decent and well placed smaller venue to consider, nicely placed not far from the likes of Kingsbarns beach, not to mention St Andrews itself.
The Fairmont Hotel, just up the road from Kinkell Byre, is another golfing mecca, with a modern stylish interior, and the landscape to play with for portraits.
The Byre at Inchyra is another great venue a little like Kinkell Byre - a converted farm steading. It’s a great setting in pretty landscape offering lots of opportunities to customise it to really make it your own.
Speaking of iconic golfing locations, Gleneagles is a luxury hotel, spa and of course a golfing destination in the heart of the Scottish countryside. There are multiple options for a wedding celebrations there as well as beautiful gardens to roam. It is worth bearing in mind that it is open to the public but the luxurious stay it provides and ample restaurant options (there are 10 on site!) are unrivalled. If you’re into golfing, this venue is the only venue in Europe to have hosted both the Ryder and Solheim Cups.
Gleneagles
3. Glasgow & SW Scotland
Glasgow is a big subject too for wedding venues. I’m going to pick out a few favourites in the city and some in the surrounding area.
For lovers of iconic design, House for an Art Lover in Glasgow is now almost the only remaining building designed inside and out by the creative genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The interiors are full of his wonderful detailing, and there are some nice gardens on the outside too.
One Devonshire Square is another good option in Glasgow too, and its not far from the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
Outside Glasgow there are a few grand houses which host weddings. A favourite of ours is Rowallan Castle, which is a medium drive south from Glasgow, and has a historic interior with a good ballroom and is surrounded by pretty landscape, as well as having an even older castle on the grounds which is great for portrait shoots and also has extra accommodation. The main castle up the hill is the comfy 19th century castle built in a romantic style (complete with mini-Romeo & Juliet style balcony in the library, and the family’s former pet Highland coo hangs over the main doorway. The interiors have nice elegant large windows that let in plenty of light.
Blairquhan Castle (the challenge is to pronounce it properly, best to ask a local, but we think it’s something like (“Blair-hoo-wan”) is a favourite, it has lovely interiors again with nice big windows with plenty of light and a baronial hall, inside and outside are great, but we especially love the imposing setting looking out over a wide open valley (somehow, it’s more of valley than a glen). The gardens are also perfect to wander round - with a beautifully kept walled gardens amongst other attractions.
Auchen Castle is another great venue with its own pretty small loch great for photoshoots, and large gardens which are perfect for a reception on a hot summer’s day. It is especially practical for a destination wedding as your families and guests can stay on site at the turreted castle, this stately hotel was built in 1220!
Culzean Castle is so grand that for a long time it was on the Scottish five pound note. The house itself may be more suited to big weddings (though do ask - probably no reason why a smaller wedding shouldn’t be held there too), but for a smaller wedding there is the Orangerie - which is an elegant glass pavilion, just a perfect setting for a wedding. Another plus is that Culzean’s ground are enormous and have all sorts of different possibilities - a walled garden, and the grand setting in front of the main house, as well as some awesome coastline for starters. If you would like to explore them for a portrait shoot, it might be worth leaving a decent amount of time for that.
Another of Scotland’s grandest houses is Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute. Owned by the Earl of Bute, who was (possibly still is) one of the wealthiest men in Britain, no expense was spared on this extremely grand house - and it’s resplendent interior, which is full of craftsmanship and artworks by the likes of Titian.
Another grand house is Mar Hall which is on a hill overlooking the banks of the River Clyde.
A good location just to the west of Glasgow for horse lovers is Ingliston Equestrian & Country Club.
Another historic option is Chatelherault Country Park which has the hunting lodge which hosts weddings and has beautiful landscaped gardens and walks in the woods.
Rowallan Castle
The views from Blairquhan Castle
Further south, Dumfries House is a great option. We haven’t shot there (yet!) so can’t show you photos but we’ve photographed for magazines there and it is stunning, with gorgeous interior details.
Also in Dumfries direction is Argrennan House is another lovely country house - not exactly on the scale of Mount Stuart (then again, hardly anything is), but a good option well worth considering. It has the plus of being set in rolling Dumfrieshire countryside. This is another country house with a lovely walled garden. A possible minus (though you may regard it as a plus depending on priorities) is that it is quite a long way from Glasgow or any other large city, so takes a while to access if flying in.
Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute
4. Aberdeenshire & Inverness
Drumtochty Castle is set in a pleasant glen with plenty of spots for photography. The castle itself has rooms with plenty of light (we’re always thinking of light as photographers) and a particularly nice ballroom with plenty of space for dance moves. There is a church/chapel at the bottom of the glen which is often used for ceremonies. One of our favourite Scottish film stars James McAvoy got married there too!
Not at all far from Drumtochty, and conveniently close to Fettercairn whisky distillery (we recommend a visit, hic!), Fasque Castle is in a rather grand setting in Aberdeenshire - a great combination of spacious rooms in the interior and an expansive landscape outside. As well as the impressive interior, it has a great garden where ceremonies can be held in nice weather.
Dunnotar Castle is one of the classic wild Scottish fortifications perched on sea cliffs, the stuff of legends. If you would like wedding photos that looks awesomely Braveheart, then this is the place to come. We haven’t shot a wedding there (yet!) but have visited and it’s a stunning backdrop. They do also host small wedding receptions there. Access involves a lot of walking and steep steps, so it’s not a place to think of taking elderly relatives with mobility issues.
One specialist wedding venue country house just outside Inverness is Achnagairn Castle. It’s a great option with beautiful landscaped gardens and forest walks as well as a great ballroom.
5. The Great Scottish Landscape - the Highlands and Islands
The possibilities here are really endless, as Scotland allows ceremonies to be conducted pretty much anywhere (obviously subject to certain common sense and specific restrictions - you can’t just go into someone’s back garden without permission for it), you just need to find a celebrant who covers your chosen spot. There are not only the Highlands but also the Islands - that is, the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Those are a whole world in themselves, but we’ve assumed for the present that you’re planning on a wedding on the relatively accessible mainland.
Especially in the Highlands, do a bit of research on (a) midges and (b) bad weather options. Because both of those do happen in Scotland. Many might say that the former are worse than the latter. These can really spoil an outdoor ceremony or portrait shoot, and it’s worth doing a bit of googling when they are most likely to appear in the area you’re thinking about.
The Highlands and Islands
Particularly popular areas, partly because of their spectacular landscape and relative accessibility, are Glencoe, and the Isle of Skye, and there is a whole wedding industry built around elopements to these two. On Skye there are popular beauty spots which are great for portrait shoots, notably the Quirang, the Cuillins, and the Fairy Pools. But honestly, you would be hard put to find any location on the West Coast of Scotland that wasn’t stunning. If you are planning an elopement to Glencoe or Skye especially in the summer be aware you may not be the only couple doing a photoshoot up at the Quirang!
Stucktaymore
On the mainland, Torridon and Applecross are particular favourite locations of ours, though they don’t have the tourist (& wedding) infrastructure of Glencoe & the Isle of Skye, so it may be more a matter of finding your own cottage or small holel for a romantic elopement.
Glencoe has a number of options for holding a ceremony & reception, many of these are held at the large Kingshouse Hotel at the entrance to Glencoe. Kingshouse Hotel is well used to catering for weddings, although being a larger hotel you’ll likely be sharing it with many other guests. For a venue that you can take over exclusively have a look at Glencoe House, or, with a more modern vibe but with a pier that you can have a ceremony on, the Holly Tree Hotel.
Another part of Scotland that is popular is the Cairngorm National Park. Here you don’t have the sea, but as always in Scotland there is always a beautiful loch not far away. Glen Tanar is a venue that was a hunting lodge with a spectacular hall lined with antlers, and a tiny intimate chapel, surrounded by forests and a loch.
Another beautiful location, this one quite a grand hall in the Cairngorms but within easy striking distance from Aberdeen, is Mar Lodge Estate, which is run by the National Trust for Scotland.
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
A little closer to the central belt (and therefore accessible) there are lovely houses overlooking gorgeous settings in Perthshire. Monachyle Mhor in particular is well known by foodies for its great high end cuisine and the location is beautiful.
Boreland on Loch Tay has the most gorgeous views down the Loch Tay. there is a rustic barn perfect for a large ceremony and ample accommodation on site.
Also on Loch Tay there are houses like Stucktaymore which can host intimate family weddings with smaller numbers of people.
Views from Ardoch House
Loch Lomond is close to Glasgow and has plenty of hotels on the lochside. The west of the loch is quite busy as it’s the main road North from Glasgow, it has some great options especially for larger weddings but if you’d like to get away from things a bit more with a small wedding party, we’d suggest looking at places like Ardoch House, which is higher up in the hills and has great views across the loch, or Fruin Farm among the hills to the west of the loch.
Cameron House is also a popular venue on the shores of Loch Lomond, and it’s possible to get there by seaplane.
Close by Cameron House is The Cruin, which apart from its function rooms also has a beach next to it and a nice little jetty, both of them good for photos.
To the East of Loch Lomond are the Trossachs, which are famously beautiful, especially in the autumn when the leaves become a golden riot. Altskeith House is on the banks of Loch Ard, and has the possibility of having a ceremony with panoramic full length doors that open out to give the view down the loch but without the risk of having the ceremony interrupted by the weather.
Altskeith House
