The Best Castle Wedding Venues in Scotland
There is nothing quite like a Scottish castle wedding. For couples dreaming of a fairytale celebration, the range of castle wedding venues Scotland has to offer is truly unrivalled. From dramatic clifftop fortresses to baronial manors hidden in the Highlands, this country provides a landscape of historic charm unmatched elsewhere in the world.
As wedding photographers who have spent years capturing love stories across the country, we have had the privilege of working at some of the most breathtaking estates in the UK. We know that finding the perfect location is the first step in your journey. You might be looking for the grandeur of a city fortress, or perhaps the secluded luxury that only the finest castle wedding venues in Scotland can provide. Whether you are planning a grand celebration with 200 guests or a secret elopement for two, these locations offer the perfect backdrop for cinematic, timeless wedding photography.
Scotland’s castles provide the ultimate fairytale backdrop, but you need a photographer who can capture that grandeur without it looking dated. As an Edinburgh wedding photographer, we bring a modern, editorial eye to these historic settings, ensuring your castle wedding looks timeless yet contemporary.
In this guide, we have curated a list of our absolute favourite castle wedding venues Scotland boasts. These aren’t just names on a map; they are places where we have captured real moments, laughter, and tears. For each venue below, you can click through to view full real wedding galleries and films, providing genuine inspiration for your own big day. From the ancient stone walls of the Borders to the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire, let’s explore the very best castle wedding venues Scotland has for your special day.
If you are getting married, we’d be honoured to photograph and film your Scottish castle wedding!
Castle Wedding Venues Map
Castle Wedding Venues Scotland:
Dalhousie Castle
As Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle, Dalhousie stands out among castle wedding venues Scotland for its authentic history, complete with a private chapel and dungeon for drinks. It is the perfect choice for couples seeking a dramatic, romantic atmosphere just minutes from Edinburgh.
Dundas Castle
Dundas Castle is the epitome of exclusive-use luxury, featuring a 600-year-old Auld Keep for your ceremony and a modern Pavilion for a grand reception. It is frequently cited as one of the most versatile castle wedding venues Scotland has to offer, offering 400 acres of privacy.
Borthwick Castle
Steeped in history and once a refuge for Mary Queen of Scots, Borthwick Castle is one of the most opulent and best-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe. With its spiral staircases and grand Bedchamber, it offers a genuinely majestic setting that few other castle wedding venues in Scotland can match.
Duns Castle
Duns Castle is a stunning 14th-century Gothic castle set within a 1,200-acre estate.
It features a nature reserve and a beautiful lake (the Hen Poo), an ideal spot for photos.
The castle interiors are grand yet intimate, making it ideal for everything from elopements to larger celebrations.
Edinburgh Castle
For the ultimate statement venue, nothing competes with the iconic Edinburgh Castle, undoubtedly the most famous of all castle wedding venues in Scotland. Perched high on volcanic rock, you can exchange vows in the intimate St Margaret’s Chapel with unrivalled panoramic views of the city skyline.
Carlowrie Castle
Voted one of the top venues in Europe, Carlowrie Castle blends stunning Victorian architecture with chic, contemporary interior design. The light-filled Orangery and impeccably manicured gardens make it a dream location for stylish couples looking for modern castle wedding venues Scotland.
Culzean Castle
Perched dramatically on the Ayrshire cliffs overlooking the sea, Culzean Castle is a masterpiece of Robert Adam architecture. The oval staircase and terraced gardens provide a spectacular, cinematic setting, ranking it high among the most dramatic castle wedding venues Scotland offers.
Melville Castle
Located on a secluded estate just outside Edinburgh, Melville Castle offers the grandeur of a country house hotel with a relaxed, welcoming vibe. Its beautiful marquee and woodland surroundings make it ideal for larger celebrations that want the convenience of city proximity.
Neidpath Castle
Overlooking the River Tweed, Neidpath Castle is a hidden gem in the Scottish Borders that feels untouched by time. Its rustic, untouched interiors and great hall are ideal for couples seeking a raw, atmospheric, and intensely romantic setting.
Barony Castle
Famous for its Great Polish Map of Scotland, Barony Castle near Peebles offers a wonderful mix of history and nature. As one of the more accessible castle wedding venues in Scotland, it features a bright, airy conservatory and stunning woodland walks.
Fingask Castle
Fingask Castle in Perthshire is a whimsical and charming venue known for its eccentric topiary gardens and relaxed atmosphere. It is a fantastic choice for couples who want a wedding full of character, fun, and unique photo opportunities.
Sherbrooke Castle
Situated in the leafy suburbs of Glasgow, Sherbrooke Castle is a striking red sandstone baronial hotel that commands attention. With its grand staircase and convenient location, it offers a fairytale castle experience without leaving the city.
Thirlestane Castle
Few Scottish Borders wedding venues can match the fairytale grandeur of Thirlestane Castle in Lauder.
With its rose-pink sandstone and soaring turrets, it looks like it has been plucked straight from a storybook.
The State Drawing Room features one of the finest plasterwork ceilings in Europe.
Cornhill Castle
Overlooking the River Clyde, Cornhill Castle is renowned for its panoramic views and the stunning Grand Ballroom. It is a photographer’s dream and a standout choice for romantic castle wedding venues in Scotland, offering sweeping vistas of the valley.
Wedderburn Castle & Barns
Wedderburn Castle & Barns is an elegant Georgian estate that offers the best of both worlds: a grand castle for a classic luxury wedding, and rustic barns for a more relaxed, party atmosphere.
The castle’s light-filled ballroom is perfect for ceremonies and champagne receptions.
Wardhill Castle
For a deeply personal and intimate experience, Wardhill Castle in Aberdeenshire is a family-run estate that feels like a home away from home. Set amongst ancient trees and rolling parkland, it is perfect for a private, extended weekend wedding party.
We had a great time and felt so comfortable!
Jonathon and Claire are the loviest couple… from our very first communication they made us feel special and were so interested in who we are as people! They tailored everything just for us, and had they not radiated such beauty and kindness, we wouldn’t have even known they were there… and for two people like us who HATE getting photos taken, we had a great time and felt so comfortable!
We got married on 31st December, and they gave up their own celebrations with their families to help us capture ours…
We truly hit the jackpot, and wouldn’t ever trust anyone else to capture our special celebrations and moments!
Please don’t pass up the opportunity on having these two look after your special day! Very trustworthy and fantastic value for money.
We absolutely love our wedding pictures
Jonathon and Claire – we cannot thank you both enough for being the best – from start to finish, it has been a dream to work with you both! If you are reading this and considering booking – DO IT!!
Thank you both SO MUCH for everything, we absolutely love our wedding pictures and how beautifully you have captured our day and the memories we’ll have forever – we are still so blown away by how perfectly everything turned out and on an absolute high!
We also wanted to say how grateful we are to have had you both at our wedding. You were just such a joy to be around and put us both at ease.
You got us and the vibe of the day so perfectly, and our family and friends have also said how brilliant you both were! Thank you so much!!! Helen & Daniel xxx
Frequently Asked Questions About Castle Wedding Venues Scotland
What are the best castle wedding venues in Scotland near Edinburgh?
The best castle wedding venues within a short drive of Edinburgh include Dalhousie Castle, which features an authentic dungeon and private chapel, and Dundas Castle, an exclusive-use estate with a 600-year-old Auld Keep. Other top choices nearby are [Borthwick Castle] and the contemporary Carlowrie Castle.
Can you get married in a castle in Scotland with a small guest list?
Yes, many Scottish castles specialise in intimate weddings and elopements. Culzean Castle offers dramatic clifftop ceremonies for small groups, while Neidpath Castle in the Borders is perfect for atmospheric, candlelit elopements.
Which Scottish castles offer exclusive use for weddings?
For total privacy, venues like Dundas Castle
and Borthwick Castle are “exclusive use.” This means you and your guests have the entire estate to yourselves, providing a private and grand backdrop for your wedding photography and film.
Are there castle wedding venues in Scotland with accommodation on-site?
Most Scottish castle venues offer luxury on-site accommodation. Barony Castle and Sherbrooke Castle function as high-end hotels, while venues like Dundas Castle offer spectacular private bedrooms within the castle walls for the wedding party.
How much does it cost to hire a castle for a wedding in Scotland?
Venue hire for a Scottish castle typically ranges from £2,000 for intimate elopements to over £15,000 for weekend-long exclusive use. Prices vary by season and guest count. We recommend checking our availability early, as these popular historic castle wedding venues Scotland often book out 18–24 months in advance.
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We are Claire and Jonathon, a Scottish Castle wedding photographer couple with over 700 weddings of experience. If you love our natural, joyful style of photos at castle wedding venues Scotland, we would be honoured to hear your plans.
