Embarking on the journey to marital bliss amidst the enchanting landscapes of Scotland is a dream for many couples. With its historic castles, picturesque lochs, and rolling hills, Scotland offers a breathtaking backdrop for a truly memorable wedding day. In this blog, we embark on a virtual tour across the bonnie land to explore the best wedding venues that capture the essence of romance and tradition. Whether you envision exchanging vows in a centuries-old castle, beside a tranquil loch, or in a charming countryside estate, Scotland boasts a myriad of enchanting options. Join us as we uncover the most stunning and sought-after wedding venues that make tying the knot in Scotland an unforgettable experience.
If you are looking for wedding venues, Scotland has it all. Finding the perfect location will not be a problem as, to say that we're spoilt for choice in Scotland is an understatement. If you’re planning a wedding in Scotland, chances are you’ve attended a fair few venues to celebrate the nuptials of your friends and family. Before a couple gets married themselves, they attend an average of 6 to 7 weddings so chances are you’ve had a lot of wedding venue inspiration before you start planning your own big day.
But now it’s your turn. Finally! And doubtless, you want to have your wedding somewhere phenomenal and, most importantly, memorable. Lucky for you, you’ll have plenty of choice.
To start you off, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten, wedding venues in Scotland for 2023/2024.
Happy planning!
1. Fingal, Edinburgh
If you want a standout, memorable wedding you will definitely want to check out Edinburgh's floating, luxury hotel - Fingal. With its grand opening in January 2019, Fingal was transformed into a luxury floating hotel, which you will now find permanently docked next to the popular Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh’s hip Leith district.
Starting its life as a lighthouse maintenance ship, the Fingal has a rich history and is regarded with fondness by the Scottish coastal community to this day. During its tenure as a lighthouse support vessel, Fingal was the beacon of hope and relief for the lighthouse keepers who had spent three weeks - or sometimes more - carrying out vital duties to keep the lighthouse in working order: it brought vital supplies as well as the relief crew and news from home, all of which were much awaited. After a 14-year stint as a private vessel, renamed Windsor Castle, Fingle was bought over by the Britannia Trust who gave her back her name and a £5 million transformation to create a stunning, “boatique” hotel.
With a grand staircase and stunning ballroom, Fingal has 23 sumptuous cabin rooms - including a penthouse suite - and can accommodate 60 guests on an exclusive use basis. If you’re looking for a unique wedding venue in Scotland, this one is hard to beat.
For your picture-perfect wedding venue book your visit now.
2. The Fife Arms, Aberdeenshire
Looking for a luxury wedding venue in Aberdeenshire? Look no further. The Fife Arms is a landmark property in Aberdeenshire built after the area was made popular by Queen Victoria. Being from that area myself, I have fond memories of The Fife Arms but the transformation the hotel has undergone in recent years makes it almost unrecognisable.
A property of this scale can come to feel dated and stuck in a bit of a time warp. However, the hotel’s owners - Manuela and Iwan Wirth - resuscitated this huge Victorian pile and brought it back to life in a way that’s simply staggering. Their passion for the place is evident and what makes the hotel unique is the fact that it achieves a truly contemporary feel in such a traditional location. Where previous owners decided that chucking in a new carpet and giving the place a few licks of paint was sufficient to revitalise it, the Wirth’s took a (sympathetic) sledgehammer to the project and not only refurbished the main building but extended it to include a modern annex, built with locally sourced materials.
The hotel is now one of the finest examples of the Scandi-Scot design craze that’s sweeping through the country. The Fife Arms has been created for art lovers and people who want to have a uniquely authentic experience in this historic part of Scotland.
Sound intriguing? Find out more on The Fife Arms website.
3. The Kingshouse Hotel, Glencoe
Do you want to have your wedding in one of the most beautiful places in Scotland? Check out The Kingshouse Hotel in Glencoe which reopened its doors in February 2019 after a multi-million-pound makeover. The hotel itself has a history going back to the Battle of Culloden when it was used as army barracks for the army of King George III.
It is famous amongst outdoor enthusiasts and has been a much-loved stop-off for hikers in the area. Having had its facelift, the hotel was transformed from a historic relic to a modern and vibrant space catering to the tastes of intrepid travelers and chilled-out nature lovers alike.
Now you can have your wedding, for up to 110 people, in complete luxury, amongst the iconic landscape of Glen Coe. The Kingshouse Hotel is available for exclusive use year-round - with the exception of July and August - and you and your guests can spend an unforgettable weekend celebrating your big day, hidden away in the highlands. This place is not to be missed.
4. Shepherd’s Hut at Aswanley, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Fancy eloping in Scotland? Then Aswanley’s latest addition to their established wedding and events offering is definitely worth investigating. The Shepherd's Hut is situated in a remote location on the Aswanley Estate, with stunning views of the surrounding highlands.
With space for just eight people, this venue will take the definition of 'intimate' to a whole new level. The elopement package at Aswanley includes the ceremony, witnesses, and a three-night stay at a luxury cottage for two as well as transport to and from the venue.
If you’re looking for a quiet and down-to-earth wedding - with just the two of you or a couple of your closest friends/family - then this venture from the Aswanley could be the perfect setup for your wedding day.
5. Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond, Alexandria
Following the fire in 2017 which saw extensive damage to the majority of this historic hotel, only a small selection of rooms and services were able to be opened to the public and no weddings had been taking place. After a £20 million refurbishment of the 5-star hotel and spa, however, Cameron House hotel reopened its doors in September of 2021, and its spectacular wedding facilities are now once again available to happy couples.
With a capacity of 220 guests and plenty of options for smaller weddings, the hotel will be able to provide the perfect location for an opulent day to remember. The opening of the brand new, modern extension - The Loch Lomond Suite - means that the hotel will be able to cater to larger events, with the ballroom accommodating up to 400 guests!
So whether you’re getting married in 2022 or 2023, don’t miss the opportunity to have a look at the brand new, reimagined Cameron House Hotel.
6. Ardfin Estate, Island of Jura
If you’ve always dreamed of getting married on the Scottish Isles, 2023 is the perfect time to do it, with the opening of a grand, arty hotel on the Isle of Jura in the Inner Hebrides. The estate - one of seven on Jura - has been transformed by Australian hedge fund manager Greg Coffey, who took his fortune and retired to the Hebrides.
Not a quiet retirement for him, however; since 2010, he has built a golf course, which is now considered to be the best in the world, and two houses - Jura and The Quadrangle - which are to be used as an exclusive lodge and hotel respectively.
Here you will find a ceilidh barn, a beach, and 12,000 acres of jaw-dropping scenery - if you can tear your eyes away from the stunning interior design. Not for the budget-conscious but if your coffers can handle it, this venue is not an opportunity to be missed.
7. Dumfries House, Dumfries
Dumfries House is one of the most stunning, established wedding venues in Scotland, hosting couples and their guests for years. They too have now expanded their offering to include woodland weddings in the grounds of this magnificent, 18th Century house.
Saved from falling into disrepair by Prince Charles who secured funding to ensure its future in 2007, the house is vital to the community of East Ayrshire.
The venue has a number of options for small and large weddings, with the new outdoor pavilion able to house up to 250 guests. The venue is really something special and the addition of The Dumfries House Pavilion will certainly make the location even more popular with couples looking to celebrate their big day in remarkable surroundings.
8. Ness Walk, Inverness
Ness Walk is a five-star hotel that opened its doors in 2019 and became an instant success.
Located 10 minutes from Loch Ness, in the picturesque center of Inverness - on the banks of the River Ness itself - the hotel is elegant, secluded, and simply flooded with natural light.
The hotel prides itself on exquisite, fine dining, with a large number of ingredients sourced from its very own organic farm plot.
With a number of bespoke wedding packages available and a wedding coordinator on hand from the start, Ness Walk makes organising your big day simple.
Grab a date at this wedding venue quick and experience its full Highland glamour.
New Wedding Venues Scotland - Coming soon!
9. Chrichton Hall, Dumfries
This is one to keep an eye on. The owners of luxury Fonab Castle in Perthshire have bought Crichton Hall and acquired permission to turn this majestic building - formerly being used to house NHS offices - into a 5-star, luxury hotel, and spa.
The refurbished property will have 200 rooms and sympathetically restored, sumptuous interiors as well as the existing facilities of the stunning Crichton Memorial Church and 85 acres of landscaped grounds.
Combined, these will form a sought-after location for weddings so keep your ear close to the ground to nab the first available bookings as and when the house opens its books.
10. 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh
If you’re looking for a wedding venue in Edinburgh, a very special, new hotel is due to open its doors on November 1st of 2022
Located at 100 Princes Street, the hotel will look directly onto Edinburgh Castle - it will be difficult to get any more central than that! This incredible space will be brought to Scotland’s capital by The Red Carnation Hotel Collection - if you haven’t heard of it, it's because this will be the group’s first hotel in Scotland and their 19th hotel worldwide. With 4 and 5 star properties located across the world - including London, Ireland, Botswana, Florida and Switzerland - and voted the world’s number 2 hotel company, the brand knows luxury better than most.
Judging from the excitement the announcement of the hotel’s opening has generated, this one is definitely one to keep an eye on for your 2022 / 2023 wedding. Get in there quick before the inevitable waiting list is created!
If you would like further inspiration on wedding venues around Scotland or wedding suppliers who can make your day perfect, check out our recommended suppliers pages for a list of the best in the wedding business.