13 of the most beautiful Scottish castles and stately homes, perfect for your wedding 2024
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Scotland is known the world over for its abundance of castles and stately homes, so where better to stage your grand wedding day than in your very own country pile.
We love the idea of having the run of a castle or grand manor house and just think of the pictures. Nothing says Happily Ever After quite like standing in front of a fairy tale castle, complete with turrets and towers.
Or why not channel the Bridgerton vibe by marrying in a stately home? The problem is deciding just which one!
We’ve made the task a little easier by rounding up 13 of our favourites from across the country.
Read on to see which ones have made the list…
Home to the Dundas family for over 450 years, Arniston House is a splendid example of a William Adam-designed stately home that revels in sweeping countryside views and picturesque grounds. Situated only 11 miles from Edinburgh, weddings at Arniston combine all the privacy you could dream of with the convenience of being so close to the city and major transport links.
At Arniston House flexibility is key with a number of wedding hire options to choose from, ranging from ceremony-only to a whole weekend wedding retreat. Wee weddings of up to 50 are accommodated in the beautiful Orangery, which is bathed in natural light, thanks to the floor to ceiling south-facing windows.
However, if you’re looking at a larger guest list there’s a marquee situated in the glorious grounds, and you can choose one of 10 dates a year to ensure pristine conditions.
Website | t. 01875 830515 | Email | Facebook | Instagram | X
The stunning Grade A listed Georgian Balbirnie House has been named Hotel of the Year for the fifteenth time in 17 years at the annual Scottish Hotel of the Year awards and Haute Grandeur Best Wedding Hotel on a global level, and it’s easy to see why. As soon as you arrive at this beautiful Fife venue you’ll be blown away by the all-out grandeur.
Built in 1777 and nestled within 400 acres of beautiful parkland near the village of Markinch, Balbirnie is ideally situated between Edinburgh and St Andrews and is the most gorgeous stately home setting for an opulent wedding.
Larger ceremonies are typically held in the Millennium Ballroom where the beautiful lunette windows bathe the room in natural light. You’ll also fall for the Long Gallery with its arched ceilings and trompes d’oeuil painted into the ceiling coves. Then there’s the elegant Orangery, manicured gardens and sumptuous bedrooms, making Balbirnie the full package.
Balbirnie House Hotel | t. 01592 610066 | Email | Facebook | Instagram | X
A glamourous, 1920s-style décor adorns the stunning Boclair House, a gothic mansion in Bearsden, Glasgow. Boclair truly oozes style and sophistication, from the beautiful ballroom with private bar, to the outdoor veranda and striking entrance foyer with grand staircase. Not forgetting the unique Arran Honeymoon Suite included in wedding packages.
The beautiful, landscaped lawn features a wedding pagoda with hanging chandelier, and the grand exterior with outdoor staircase lends the perfect backdrop for photos and setting for couples who opt to marry outside.
Boclair House is an exclusive use venue, meaning it is completely yours from the moment you arrive. You and your guests will have full use of the entire building, all twelve unique bedrooms, and the outdoor space.
Hosting up to 150 day and 200 evening guests, with wedding packages starting from £2,024, imagine your big day in this stunning, exclusive use mansion.
Website | t. 0141 942 4278 | Email | Facebook | Instagram
In this modern fairy tale setting, the team at the historic Carlowrie Castle knows how to host a truly memorable wedding. Every celebration is unique in this stunning location, with personalised touches, gourmet meals, and dedicated staff to support couples in every aspect of their big day.
Not only does the castle offer a luxury experience, you can rest assured that it does so sustainably, having achieved the distinguished B Corp certification for high standards of social and environmental practices in April this year.
Located a short drive from Edinburgh, it is nestled amongst established gardens and guests are welcomed by a herd of friendly highland cows. The estate has 21 exclusive-use rooms and can host weddings of up to 450 guests.
Website | t. 0131 335 3184 | Email | Facebook | Instagram
When only a castle will do for your wedding celebrations we urge you to add Cluny Castle to your dream venues shortlist. This 15th century Aberdeenshire castle is the stuff of fairy tale weddings and will take your guests’ breath away from the moment they turn the final bend in the driveway and the façade opens out in front of them.
The towers, turrets and crenallations make the ultimate first impression while the castle’s private chapel which seats 120 adds all the pomp and ceremony to your ‘I do’s. Super-romatic, it has a private courtyard, atmospheric stained-glass windows and dark oak pews.
Directly below the chapel you’ll find the Tenants’ Hall where you can entertain up to 90 guests for your reception. However, if your guestlist demands more space, you can erect a marquee within the beautiful landscaped grounds, all with the castle as the ultimate backdrop of course!
Website | t. 01330 833 302 | Facebook | Instagram | X
Enchanting, romantic and beautiful, Cornhill Castle is set within the rolling Scottish countryside in Biggar. Journey along the leafy, winding driveway until you see the castle unveil itself. That’s where your big day begins!
The setting creates the perfect photo backdrop, but with a grand staircase, beautifully styled foyer, stylish bar and more, you will not be short for photo spots – trust us! There’s a pavilion for your ceremony, grand ballroom for reception, conservatory for champagne and powder room.
Accommodating up to 180 day and 200 evening guests, Cornhill Castle offers various wedding packages to suit you. Plus, a newlywed stay in one of Scotland’s unique honeymoon suites, the three-level Balmoral Suite in the turret of the castle… truly unforgettable!
With an additional 12 bedrooms and 7 beautiful lodges on the castle grounds, there’s plenty of room for your guests too.
Website | t. 01899 220001 | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Located near Banchory in Royal Deeside, just 35 minutes’ drive from Aberdeen, Crathes Castle is an iconic Scottish tower house with a world-famous walled garden and a versatile event space in The Horsemill.
Couples looking for a fairy tale castle in which to say ‘I do’ will fall for the stunning surroundings and beautiful gardens, not to mention Crathes’ flexibility. This venue offers a wide range of options for weddings with up to 80 guests, and you’ll love the self-catering cottage on the estate that sleeps 4.
Crathes Castle is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, a charity dedicated to protecting Scotland’s exceptional nature, beauty and heritage. Income generated from weddings goes back into looking after this beautiful place.
Website | t. 01330 844525 | | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Andy Murray’s famed hotel, Cromlix has it all – the elegant house, the enchanting gardens and the stunning location. Nestled in the heart of the Scottish countryside just three miles from Dunblane, couples have two main hire options. Non-exclusive hire of your chosen function room for your ceremony and wedding breakfast (perfect for intimate weddings) or exclusive hire of the whole hotel, giving you the run of the place – be sure to make use of the billiards room, the stylish bar and the 16 lavish bedrooms.
Cromlix has its own consecrated Episcopalian chapel, which seats 35 and can also host non-religious ceremonies, but the drawing room with its large bay window, and the garden room with beautiful views are also great spaces in which to say “I do”.
Website | t. 01786 822 125 | | Facebook | Instagram | X
Situated on the outskirts of Blantyre, not far from Glasgow, Crossbasket Castle is guaranteed to give your wedding the wow factor.
The castle dates back to the 17th century and is every bit as grand and impressive as you’d expect of such a historic building, providing the perfect backdrop for your special day.
It features imposing architecture, historical décor and splendid accommodation while the beautiful grounds are an ideal spot for your photographs.
Hiring Crossbasket on an exclusive-use basis allows you to create a bespoke wedding package. You can exchange vows in the dedicated ceremony space, host your reception in the stunning ballroom and have a chef prepare a wedding breakfast menu to your exact tastes.
Once the celebrations are over, you can enjoy your first night as newlyweds in the stunning Lindsay Tower Suite.
Website | t. 01786 820310 | Email | Facebook | Instagram | X
It may be within easy reach of Edinburgh, yet at Dunglass Estate you’ll feel far away from all the bustle of the city. Once described by Robert Burns as, “the most romantic sweet place I ever saw” there’s plenty to fall in love with at this East Lothian estate, including the rugged coastline and woodlands, as well at the 15th century Dunglass Collegiate Church. This half-ruined church is the perfect romantic spot for your ceremony but if you would prefer a totally outdoors service the walled garden is equally impressive.
With exclusive use venue hire this secluded spot will be all yours, meaning you can enjoy all the magical walled garden, sculptured ancient woodlands and manicured grounds have to offer. What’s more, the contemporary events space is ideal for your reception. And did we mention, newlyweds can spend their wedding night in the elevated honeymoon treehouse?!
Website | t. 01368 830868 | | Email | Facebook | Instagram | X
Located near Turriff in rural Aberdeenshire, Fyvie Castle is an opulent venue designed to entertain and impress – but most importantly, it’s a place to have fun!
The castle can host weddings for up to 110 guests and has self-catering accommodation for 16 guests – just think of making the short distance from the dance floor to bed at the end of the festivities! And your photographer will love you. Within the grounds, the picturesque lake and colourful walled garden add to the grandeur; plus they make fantastic locations for photography.
Fyvie Castle is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, a charity dedicated to protecting Scotland’s exceptional nature, beauty and heritage. Income generated from weddings goes back into looking after this beautiful place.
Dating back to 1551, Houstoun House, originally a baronial mansion, near Edinburgh has played host to royalty, making it the perfect setting for your own grand wedding.
Now a 73-bedroom hotel, Houstoun House blends many original period details with modern comforts making it ideal for couples looking for some historical grandeur for their big day.
Weddings are typically held in the tastefully decorated Houstoun Suite before couples exit into a courtyard which has also the feel of their own wee private village. You can choose to host an outdoors drinks reception, surrounded by the whitewashed walls, or move indoors to the adjacent Strathbrock Suite.
If the weather plays ball though we urge you to consider an al fresco wedding ceremony, marrying in the beautiful secluded gardens, before dancing the night away back in the Houstoun Suite.
Winton Castle is a wedding venue steeped in history that blends the grandeur of a castle with the intimacy of a family stately home. This romantic Scottish Renaissance castle is hidden away in tranquil East Lothian countryside, just half an hour from Edinburgh and the Airport.
Up to 50 guests can stay at Winton; many, including visitors from the US and Europe, choose 2 nights with relaxed Highland Games, activities and barbecues.
Winton’s experienced team gets bucket-loads of praise from guests, with one visitor from the US saying, “This was the best wedding I’ve ever been to including my own!” So, you’ll be in very capable hands.
Whether you want an intimate celebration or a grand banquet for 40 or 250 guests, inside or outside, Winton Castle is a fabulous, flexible venue to hold your wedding.
Website | t. 01875 340222 | Email | Facebook | Instagram | X
Have you got your hearts set on a micro-wedding?
Make sure you check out our round-up of some of the most stunning venues from across the country here
