Best West Lothian Wedding Venues: The Ultimate Guide
West Lothian is a fantastic location for weddings, perfectly positioned between Edinburgh and Glasgow. From historic castles and stately homes to grand country clubs, modern waterside settings, and rustic barns, it offers a diverse range of backdrops for your big day.
Having photographed and filmed weddings across the county, we have compiled this guide to the best West Lothian wedding venues we have featured on our blog. If you are looking for venue inspiration, browse our real wedding features below to see how these locations look through our lens.
We promise to create fabulous photos of you on your wedding day in West Lothian, but don’t just take our word for it:
Zoe and BillyJonathon 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.
Helen and DanielJonathon 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
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Plan Your Dream Wedding in Historic West Lothian (2025 & Beyond)
After 20 years and over 700 weddings, we know West Lothian inside out. We haven’t just listed these West Lothian wedding venues; we’ve curated the ultimate guide based on real experience, categorised and alphabetised to help you find your perfect match.
Pro Tip: Once you’ve explored the venues, make sure to read our essential guide on The Most Important Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer.
Found your venue? We want to hear from you and chat about creating fantastic photos and videos for you.
West Lothian Wedding Venue Map
Barn & Rustic Wedding Venues
For couples dreaming of a relaxed, countryside atmosphere, West Lothian wedding venues offer some of the finest converted barns and stables in Scotland. These venues are perfect for adding your own personal touch.
Cairns Farm
Located near Kirknewton, Cairns Farm is a stunning contemporary barn venue perched on the banks of Harperrig Reservoir and one of the newest West Lothian wedding venues to hire.
It effortlessly blends rustic charm with modern luxury, featuring a ceremony space with a full glass gable end that offers breathtaking views of the Pentland Hills.
It is an ideal choice for couples looking for a stylish, exclusive-use countryside venue.
View our Cairns Farm Estate wedding photography (coming soon!).
Harburn Barn
For those dreaming of a rustic, relaxed wedding, The Barn at Harburn is a hidden gem near West Calder.
Part of a private estate, one of our favourite exclusive-use West Lothian wedding venues, features a beautifully converted roundhouse and granary.
It offers a wonderful laid-back atmosphere, allowing you to put your own stamp on the day while enjoying the privacy of the countryside.
Hilly Cow Wigwams
Located on a working farm near Kirknewton, Hilly Cow Wigwams is the ultimate choice for a relaxed, festival-style wedding.
With stunning views across the Forth Valley and the Pentland Hills, this venue offers a mix of marquee celebrations and quirky wigwam accommodation for your guests.
It’s perfect for couples looking for a fun, outdoorsy weekend wedding with plenty of character.
Kirknewton House Stables
Kirknewton House Stables is a delightful walled garden venue that offers a relaxed, blank-canvas setting for your wedding.
The historic stables have been beautifully converted to create a rustic indoor space, while the expansive gardens are ideal for an outdoor drinks reception or a marquee.
It is a fantastic option for couples who want the freedom to choose their own caterers and decor for a truly personalised day.
Castle & Historic Wedding Venues
If you are looking for grandeur and history, these West Lothian wedding venues provide the perfect fairytale backdrop. From ancient keeps to restored burgh halls, they are steeped in character.
Dundas Castle
Dundas Castle is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s most spectacular exclusive-use venues.
Located near South Queensferry, this 18th-century castle offers a fairytale setting with its historic Auld Keep, elegant Croquet Room, and extensive grounds.
It is the perfect choice for couples seeking luxury, privacy, and a truly cinematic backdrop for their wedding photos.
Hopetoun House
Often referred to as “Scotland’s Finest Stately Home,” Hopetoun House in South Queensferry is breathtaking.
If you are planning a grand, elegant affair, this is the venue for you.
The architecture is magnificent, resembling a French château, and the views over the Firth of Forth are unmatched.
We love photographing weddings here because the building’s scale and beauty provide a cinematic backdrop that is hard to beat.
Linlithgow Burgh Halls
Located in the heart of historic Linlithgow, next to Linlithgow Palace, the Burgh Halls is a beautifully restored Category A-listed building.
It combines historic charm with modern facilities, featuring high ceilings, wooden floors, and a lovely courtyard garden.
It is a fantastic option for couples who want a town-centre venue with plenty of character and history.
Country House Hotels
These West Lothian wedding venues offer the perfect blend of traditional Scottish hospitality, convenience, and stunning grounds, ensuring you and your guests have everything you need in one place.
Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club
Set amidst 1,000 acres of stunning parkland near Kirknewton, the Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club is a grand baronial manor that blends Scottish heritage with modern luxury.
With its impressive stone staircase, beautiful views, and capacity for both intimate and large celebrations, it is a timeless venue just a stone’s throw from Edinburgh.
The Hilcroft Hotel
Conveniently located in Whitburn, midway between Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Hilcroft Hotel is a popular modern venue known for its warm hospitality.
It offers a range of flexible function suites perfect for weddings of all sizes.
We find it to be a very adaptable venue, and its central location makes it incredibly easy for guests travelling from both sides of the central belt.
Houstoun House
Situated in Uphall, Houstoun House is a historic 16th-century tower house surrounded by 22 acres of beautiful woodlands.
Famous for its romantic walled gardens and the elegant ballroom, it offers a sense of history and character that is perfect for wedding photography.
It’s a fantastic option for couples wanting a venue that feels secluded yet is easily accessible from the motorway.
Modern & Waterfront Wedding Venues
For a contemporary setting with dramatic views, these West Lothian wedding venues offer unique photo opportunities by the water.
The Vu
The Vu is a unique modern venue situated at the water’s edge of Ballencrieff Reservoir near Bathgate.
Famous for its “Waterlily” island ceremony room, which features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, it offers incredible panoramic views over the water.
It is an exceptionally popular choice for couples looking for a dramatic, scenic location that looks fantastic in photos.
Best West Lothian Engagement Shoot Locations
While many couples choose their West Lothian wedding venues for photos, we also love heading out into the wild for pre-wedding shoots. West Lothian has some stunning country parks that are perfect for this.
Beecraigs Country Park
Located high in the Bathgate Hills near Linlithgow, Beecraigs Country Park is one of our favourite spots for an adventurous engagement shoot.
It offers a huge variety of backdrops within a short walk—from towering pine forests and fern-filled woodlands to the tranquil Beecraigs Loch.
There is even a viewing platform with incredible panoramic views across the Forth Valley, which looks spectacular at sunset. It’s the perfect location for couples who love the outdoors and want natural, relaxed portraits.
View our Beecraigs Country Park engagement photography (coming soon!).
A Complete Guide to Planning a West Lothian Wedding
West Lothian is often described as the historic crossroads of Scotland. It offers a unique blend of ancient heritage, rolling country parks, and tranquil reservoirs that rivals any region in the UK for variety.
For couples who want the ultimate convenience—located ideally between Edinburgh and Glasgow—but the peace and privacy of the countryside, this region is unmatched. As experienced West Lothian wedding photographers, we find that the landscape here offers a distinct beauty from the city or coast—lush woodlands, dramatic hills, and still waters that create a rich, atmospheric backdrop for cinematic wedding photos and films.
Choosing Your Wedding Style in the Heart of Scotland
One of the main reasons we recommend West Lothian wedding venues to couples is the incredible diversity of architectural styles available within such a well-connected area.
The “Exclusive Use” Experience
If privacy is your non-negotiable, West Lothian is home to some of the country’s most prestigious exclusive-use estates. Venues like Dundas Castle and The Barn at Harburn allow you to take over the entire grounds for the duration of your stay. This is perfect for a “weekend retreat” wedding, where you can host a rehearsal dinner or a post-wedding BBQ, turning your celebration into a multi-day event rather than just a few hours.
Rustic Barns & Countryside Chic
You don’t need to head deep into the Borders to find authentic rustic charm. The region’s agricultural roots mean beautifully converted farmsteadings are a real speciality here. Cairns Farm and Kirknewton House Stables cater brilliantly to couples seeking a relaxed, blank-canvas atmosphere. These spaces look incredible in candid photos, especially when dressed with fairy lights and foliage.
Historic Palaces & Grand Manors
For those seeking true grandeur, West Lothian wedding venues are steeped in royal history. While Linlithgow Palace (birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots) provides a spectacular backdrop for nearby portraits, fully operational venues such as Hopetoun House and Dalmahoy Hotel offer the opulence of a stately home combined with luxury service.
The Photographer’s Perspective: Light & Locations
From a photography perspective, West Lothian wedding venues and photoshoot locations are unique due to their topography. Unlike the flat coast, the landscape here is defined by the Bathgate Hills and expansive country parks, adding depth to your images.
The “Golden Hour” The elevated positions of venues near the Bathgate Hills or by the water at The Vu and Cairns Farm mean you get expansive, open skies. Without the city skyline blocking the light, we often get a longer, uninterrupted “golden hour” in the evening, allowing for those romantic, sun-drenched portraits just before dusk.
Parkland & Lochside Logistics
If you plan to visit locations such as Beecraigs Country Park or the shores of Harperrig Reservoir for photos, we always recommend bringing a spare pair of flat shoes or even wellies. The woodlands and reservoir banks offer some of the most romantic scenery in the central belt—tall pines, fern-covered floors, and calm water—but they are best explored comfortably.
Travel & Accommodation for Guests
A significant advantage of West Lothian wedding venues is their unbeatable accessibility. The M8 and M9 motorways run like arteries through the county, making travel from both Glasgow and Edinburgh fast and direct.
Trains
The rail links here are exceptional. The lines running through Linlithgow, Bathgate, and Livingston are frequent and reliable, meaning guests travelling from either of Scotland’s main cities can arrive in under 30 minutes.
Local Stays
Unlike remote countryside venues where beds are hard to find, large towns like Livingston and historic hubs like Linlithgow are well-served by major hotels, charming B&Bs, and guest houses. This ensures that, whether you have 50 or 150 guests, everyone will have plenty of high-quality accommodation options within a short taxi ride.
West Lothian Wedding Venues FAQ
What is the best area in West Lothian for a wedding?
This depends entirely on the vibe you want. For historic grandeur and waterside views, South Queensferry is unbeatable, with venues such as Hopetoun House and Dundas Castle. If you prefer a more rural, secluded feel, the areas around Kirknewton and West Calder (home to Cairns Farm and The Barn at Harburn) offer stunning countryside privacy while still being accessible from the A70 and A71.
Are there many barn wedding venues in West Lothian?
Yes, West Lothian is arguably one of the best regions in Scotland for barn weddings. It has recently seen a surge in high-quality barn conversions. Cairns Farm Estate offers a modern, luxury take on the barn trend, while The Barn at Harburn provides a more rustic, “festival-style” atmosphere. Kirknewton House Stables is another fantastic option for a blank-canvas barn setting.
How far is West Lothian from Edinburgh and Glasgow?
West Lothian is strategically located right in the middle of Scotland’s central belt. Most venues in the region are approximately 30–40 minutes from Edinburgh City Centre and about 35–45 minutes from Glasgow City Centre. This central location makes it the ideal meeting point for guests travelling from both east and west.
Can we get married at Linlithgow Palace?
Yes, you can. Historic Environment Scotland permits wedding ceremonies in the Great Hall of Linlithgow Palace. However, as it is a working historic monument, receptions usually need to take place elsewhere. Many couples choose to have their ceremony at the Palace and then move to the nearby Linlithgow Burgh Halls (just a short walk away) for their dinner and dancing.
Which West Lothian Wedding venues offer accommodation on-site?
Most large West Lothian wedding venues offer excellent accommodation. Dundas Castle and Hopetoun House (via their estate cottages) offer luxury stays. Dalmahoy Hotel and Houstoun House are full-service hotels with capacity for all your guests. For exclusive-use venues, The Barn at Harburn and Cairns Farm Estate both offer beautiful on-site accommodation for the bridal party and close family.
Are The Good Photo Locations In West Lothian?
Absolutely. The region offers a diverse range of backdrops that are distinct from the city or the coast. You have the architectural drama of the Forth Bridges, the historic ruins in Linlithgow, the rolling Bathgate Hills, and peaceful reservoirs like Harperrig and Ballencrieff. We find the light in West Lothian particularly special in the evening, as the open landscapes allow for beautiful sunsets.
Do we need a permit to take photos in public parks in West Lothian?
Generally, you do not need a permit for casual wedding photos in public spots like Beecraigs Country Park or Almondell & Calderwood Country Park if you are passing through. However, if you are planning a large-scale setup or a formal ceremony within the parks, please contact West Lothian Council for venues such as Linlithgow Palace. A permit/booking via Historic Environment Scotland is required for photography within the grounds.
Let’s Tell Your Story at The Best West Lothian Wedding Venues
We are Claire and Jonathon, a couple of photographers at West Lothian wedding venues with over 700 weddings of experience. If you love our natural, joyful style, we would be honoured to hear your plans.
