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14 Feb 2022

A wedding for every dream

Written by Emily Shields
A bride and groom kiss in front of a blue camper van, parked in front of a mountain and moorland.
Mar Lodge Estate | Photographer: Hannah K Photography
You’ve met the love of your life; now it’s time to organise the wedding of your dreams! The Trust is renowned for hosting incredible weddings in our collection of exquisite castles, majestic stately homes and beautiful outdoor spaces.

We’re the proud guardians of some of the most beautiful places in Scotland including gardens and woodlands, mountains and lochs, follies and chapels. If you’re dreaming of a unique alternative wedding in a ‘secret’ location, we have a place you can call your own.

With ever-changing customs and traditions, we’re not afraid to be curious and experiment with different wedding styles. Our dedicated wedding team will help plan your dream day; their knowledge and flair is inspirational whatever you’re planning – from an elopement or micro-wedding to a grand affair.

Everything we do is for the love of Scotland. By choosing a Trust venue, you’ll be supporting our vital conservation work to protect Scotland’s heritage for current and future generations to enjoy.

Need a little help to get you started? We’ve listed a few ideas below, but please get in touch if you have any queries.

Bride standing in Fountain Court with Culzean Castle forming the backdrop

Something old ...

We love the glamour of a traditional wedding! Our fabulous collection of grand castles, royal hunting lodges and beautiful stately homes, some even with their own chapel, are perfect for wedding ceremonies and celebrations.

Fyvie Castle is the epitome of grandeur and sophistication, the ultimate fairytale venue. The sweeping stone staircase and soaring towers, as well as a priceless collection of masterpieces by Raeburn and Gainsborough, give a glimpse into the castle’s fascinating 800-year-old story.

Drum Castle is home to the world-famous Garden of Historic Roses, a feast for the senses and a wonderful backdrop for photography. You can tie the knot in the charming 16th-century chapel nestled within the grounds of the ancient oak forest, or in the beautifully restored Library, home to more than 4,000 ancient books. It’s a truly elegant setting, brimming with Jacobean romance and Victorian opulence.

By beginning the next chapter of your journey together at a Trust property, you’ll play a special role in keeping our heritage alive and add your story to those of our ancestors.

In fine style

We care for some of Scotland’s most stylish and design-led properties. Perhaps one of the most famous is the Hill House, considered to be Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s domestic masterpiece. A family home designed for entertaining, with unique interiors and bespoke style, it’s perfect for couples who wish to enjoy our elopement package. Exchange your vows in the exquisite drawing room and sip champagne on the roof terrace overlooking the house and gardens – there are endless opportunities for stunning photography!

Perched on the dramatic Ayrshire cliffs, Culzean Castle is opulence at its finest. Hold your ceremony in the beautiful Orangery or at the top of the spectacular Oval Staircase, followed by an intimate dining experience in the ornate State Dining Room – this is sure to be a talking point for years to come!

The Georgian House in Edinburgh is a quintessential New Town property, the epitome of 18th-century high society style and living. Exchange your vows in the elegant Drawing Room surrounded by oil paintings and period furniture, reflecting the lavish lifestyle of this era.

If you’re dreaming of designing your own wedding, our collection of beautiful gardens and grounds offer an impressive blank canvas! Our properties make spectacular backdrops for large marquee weddings, or our fabulous rustic barns are ideal for more informal gatherings – the only limit is your imagination!

For something a little bit different

Although we’re renowned for our historic castles and country houses, we’re equally proud of our collection of quirky, quaint and intimate locations.

Where better to exchange your vows than in the birthplace of Scotland’s greatest romantic poet, Robert Burns? Be inspired by more than 5,000 of his artefacts, including handwritten manuscripts. Burns Cottage makes the perfect setting for an intimate ceremony, or you may prefer to head outdoors to the Brig o’ Doon and enjoy the tranquil sound of the River Doon flowing beneath.

If you have artistic tastes, Broughton House is a fabulous wedding venue. Once the home of ‘Glasgow Boy’ E A Hornel, it now houses a fascinating collection of Hornel’s art in his original studio. This is the ideal setting to exchange your vows, followed by a stroll through the Japanese-inspired garden with canapés.

In one of Scotland’s most northerly corners, where the Atlantic coast meets the wilderness of the North-West Highlands, lies Inverewe, a spectacular lochside garden. This remote stretch of coastline is a paradise not only for its terrestrial gardens and wildlife, but also for its underwater garden – it’s home to Scotland’s coral reef, a truly magical place. If you dream of an intimate ceremony onboard a sailing boat with the most spectacular backdrop, Inverewe is an exceptional choice.

Go wild

If you love the great outdoors and dream of a more unconventional wedding, go wild with an open-air ceremony at one of the magnificent places in our care. We guarantee the views will be spectacular – your wedding photography will go down in history!

Perhaps you plan to exchange your vows at the top of a Munro (one of Scotland’s tallest mountains), or maybe on the banks of a glistening loch or beside a stunning woodland waterfall. Wild weddings are beautiful in their simplicity, perfect for couples planning an elopement or micro-wedding.

Glencoe National Nature Reserve is ancient, rugged and majestic, with breathtaking views at every turn – you could spend a lifetime here choosing the perfect ceremony spot.

Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve in the Cairngorms is famed for its dramatic moorland and pine forests, ideal for an outdoor ceremony. Afterwards, the Lodge itself offers stylish rooms for champagne receptions and artisan dining as well as accommodation.

We have incredible places of all shapes and sizes in our portfolio. Together, we can plan the wedding of your dreams!

For more inspiration and info

Visit our weddings page

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