Can anyone help with a beautiful location for a wedding in Scotland?
 

We're hoping to get married in Scotland this summer. We are looking for a beautiful, romantic location outside, but I'm struggling as I don't know Scotland very well. If anyone has any ideas, I'd really appreciate it.

well you could always 'do a Madonna' and get married in a Scottish castle. I'm afraid Skibo Castle, where she got married, is now a private club, but here's some other venues:

http://www.castles.org/Chatelaine/weddings.htm

Claire, can you try to narrow it down a wee bit. Price, type of geographic location, seaside, mountain, what?

Castle, hotel, park, beach, what?

How do you anticipate dealing with it if it rains?

Have you checked out the rules and how to comply?

Thanks for the quick replies. We want something very simple and cheap(!)and outside, so hiring castles is not an option. We both love water, so maybe a loch or a beach somewhere might be a good idea. I've just read about Fairie Glen on the Isle of Skye - does anyone know anything about it?
We're not bothered about the rain - we'll just get wet!
And thanks Sheila - I understand about the rules, so that shouldn't be a problem.

We got married at Lennoxlove House in 2002. It's near town of Haddington, about half an hour from Edinburgh. Loved the location, the grounds, the castle and the entire process.

http://www.lennoxlove.org/

Sorry, my post must have crossed Claire's reply - I missed the outdoor part. Never mind the Lennoxlove - they have lovely grounds, but still, it is much more of a castle venue than an outdoors one.

You ARE talking about Scotland so you might want to have an indoor alternative. . . .

And how many are you talking about attending?

But one place that comes immediately to mind - Inchmahome Priory in the middle of the Lake of Menteith. It is an absolutely lovely runined priory on an island reached by a small launch. Swans, view to a small churchyard and and hotel across the lake (yes - "Lake", not "Loch").

Here are a few photos of it:

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/m...nchmahome.html

http://www.ancient-scotland.co.uk/site.php?a=95

http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit...inchmahome.htm

http://www.heritage.me.uk/religiou/inchmaho.htm

Thank you - Inchmahome Priory looks beautiful. I'll look into it some more. There will probably only be a very small group of us - no more than 10.

We also got married at Lennoxlove, last May. (It's very close to where I was brought up).

It's a wonderful location but as Kasperdoggie says, it's probably too big for your needs. Also, bear in mind that many of these castle/stately home venues get booked up for weekend weddings *years* in advance. The wedding industry has become big business in Scotland.

I'd recommend you get your hands on a copy of the Scottish Wedding Directory magazine (http://www.scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk/), which is published quarterly. It has all the info and ads you'll ever want for venues, caterers, pipers, photographers, music, etc. etc.

There's a few things you'll need to read up on, especially administrative requirements for non-Scots. If you haven't already, start by reading up here: http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/regsc...d-in-scotland/

Claire

You will find some more ideas on

utopia-scotland.com

I've known people get married in the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, but I guess you are looking for somewhere a bit wilder ?

I knew someone who got married at Dirleton Castle in East Lothian. It's not one of the castles which has been turned into a hotel (like Dalhousie, where I got married); but a semi ruin. Their wedding was outside but there was a bit they could have sheltered in had it rained.

It's not a place which would get booked up since it's not geared up for weddings - they had to find their own minister etc.

It is also possible to get married on Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth (not far from Edinburgh), which has a ruined abbey. I considered it but didn't want to risk bad weather.

hanl has a point about some venues getting booked up years in advance (though not so much the type of venue you seem to be seeking, I think); but I'd say that is mainly for Saturdays & the school holidays. I don't think you'll have a problem if you want, say, a Monday morning in June.

Good photographers do however get very booked up; so if you want a professional photographer, book asap.

As you are planning an outdoor summer wedding, you might want to check out this link (from another thread) helpfully provided by Sheila.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...atures/midges/

Midges as wedding crashers are far less entertaining than Owen Wilson and having everyone at the ceremony smelling strongly of DEET doesn't sound particularly romantic.

What a horrid thing to do to her!!!

Claire, just stay east!!!

As Caroline said, I don't think we'll have a problem with booking somewhere, as we're not really after a traditional 'venue' and it doesn't matter what day of the week we marry on. We're quite unconventional, so are really looking for a 'beauty spot'that won't be crowded with tourists (if such a thing exists). We don't want the traditional cake, wedding breakfast, photographer etc etc - we'll probably just stay in a little cottage near where we decide on and relax for a few days.
This probably all sounds a bit weird to everyone, but it's our idea of the perfect wedding!
And yes, I'd forgotten about the midges - perhaps by late August they'll be disappearing?!

But the west looks so beautiful - I suppose there has to be a drawback somewhere!

Sheila, what on earth did I do? Other than suggest she keep the midges in mind when choosing a place/time for an outdoor summer wedding? I'm confused.

Are you planning on having a civil or a religious wedding ceremony?

Because the rules regarding venues differ slightly - civil weddings can only be held in approved places (there's a list at: http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files...lace-name.html) while religious weddings can, in theory, be held anywhere.

Thanks hanl - we want a religious ceremony and are hoping we'll be able to find a minister mad enough to turn up! Apparently, you can usually find one who'll go pretty much anywhere.

Have you indicated how many will likely be in attendance? A remote setting might sound great, but arranging accommodation/catering etc. for the wedding party and guests might be a bit of a problem.

There will be very few of us - probably just a few close friends. We'll all be happy with a decent meal, a proper pub and self-catering/B&B accommodation, so as long as I book fairly soon, I don't think it should be a problem.

With your new info, a bit more re Inchmahome.

It isn't in the wild west - but it is a lovely place. The Lake Hotel is a 2 minute walk from the boat pier so it would be a convenient place for your guests to stay if they needed to overnight. They have a restaurant and a conservatory dining room with views across the lake to the island. There is also a pub attached -- but don't worry it is a small hotel and isn't loud or noisy. It isn't in a town - but Aberfoyle and Callander are close by so convenient for last minute shopping, etc. Abd teh Tourist Information Center in Callander would probably be able to hook you up w/ any services you needed.

In the nearby area are MANY lovely self-catering cottages for you to rent - this is on the edge of the Trossachs and the National Park so it is really lovely.

And for guests there is a lot for them to see/do -- Stirling Castle, Doune Castle, lots of walks/hikes/lochs/waterfalls, and so on. Plus it is not far from eithet Edinburgh or Glasgow so it is good for transport.

Hi Claire. If it's possible to get married on a beach, the choice for me would be Arisaig. Beautiful white sand,clear waters,rock pools and fabulous views to Rhum,Eigg and Skye. Stunning sunsets too.

We were there last August for a week. On one occasion we were on one of the beaches and my husband popped to the shop. I was the only person on the beach,and the only sound around was the water lapping against my feet as I paddled. I remember thinking that there was nowhere else I would rather be.

Try and watch the film Local Hero for views of the beaches and sunsets.

There are lots of self catering places around. I haven't stayed in these but one to look at is www.arisaighouse-cottages.co.uk

There are three hotels I can think of

http://www.cnoc-na-faireaire.co.uk/publicrms.htm

This has the nicest views and the rooms look lovely.

http://www.arisaighotel.co.uk/

Both of these places serve delicious local food and both have a choice of eating in a bar area or more formal dining.

http://www.oldlibrary.co.uk

This is the smallest of the three and I haven't eaten there yet but it has always had good reviews.

Mallaig is not far away and is a lovely little fishing port to visit, with some very good fish restaurants.

Best of luck to you :)

Would you be up for an island. If so, I vote for Tiree- Scotland's sunniest place, WONDERFUL beaches. A really nice B&B that does meals. A formerly ghastly hotel, which, rumour has it, has been taken over by two people who used to work for the tourist board. (also few midges because the ground is mostly sand, not peat)

Second vote would be Colonsay. Lovely beaches, nice hotel, nice self catering place at the back of it, plus all the farmhouses are let for holidays.

Third vote would be Kilmartin Glen, in a stone circle. You might have to work hard to get a minister to do the links from pagan to Christianity.

Fourth shottie, not far from Arisaig at Glenfinnan in the shadow of the monument. Glenfinnan House is very nice and affordable, and I doubt there's another view like it in the world.

Top of Kinnoull Hill in Perth. It has the advantage of a shortish walk up and a very spectacular cliff face on teh oter side overlooking the beautiful Tay Valley.

I could do this for hours, I really could.

Kildalton or Kilnave Chapels on Islay.

Iona.

The Old Church at St Monan's in Fife

Buchanty Spout in Perthshire

The Hermitage in Perthshire.

Maes Howe or the Ring of Brogar on Orkney.

Bennachie

Corgarff Castle

Kildrummy Castle

Tolqhon Castle

Help us out- we need more of a narrow down.

Brenda, my smiley was missing. But, really, they're not that bad. Truly.

Now I'm spoilt for choice! Thank you so much angel uk and Sheila - you've come up with some fantastic places. I love the look of Arisaig and Tiree - just my kind of places (still looking at some of the others). I think marrying on a beach would be perfect and we're definitely up for an island. Do you think Tiree gets really busy in summer and would it be difficult to find somewhere where there aren't 100s of onlookers (obviously I appreciate that as we will probably be in a public place, there are bound to be other people around, but I don't want it to turn into a big show!)
Is an island the best place for boat trips, seeing wildlife etc? And does anyone know anything about fishing as I'm sure my fiance will be dying to do some!

You're worried about tourists? Why don't you get married at 7am when the tourists aren't out yet. Or better still, find out when the sun rises on the beach where you want to marry and have the ceremony as the sun comes up. You seem like you'd enjoy that and there would be no tourists, just your lovely party!

That sounds great, but I don't think we'd find a minister willing to marry us that early unfortunately.

Tiree is never busy. The Kirkapoll is 20 fet from the beach and the village is 2 miles away.

Boat trips and stuff are more easily organised where there are lots of tourists, but I bet if you contacted these folk they'd sort it all out for you.

I'm glad Sheila mentioned Kilmartin because it's the first place that came to my mind. Not on an island, so logistics is less an issue, although it's relatively remote so not too prone to overcrowding, to say the least. Instead of doing the deed in a stone circle or pre-Christian cairn down on the floor of the Glen, maybe in the churchyard overlooking the Glen, where there are some marvelous ancient Celtic crosses and other bits of real antiquity. There's a small and decent hotel across the road from the church, adequate for watering and feeding (and bedding I suppose) a small church party.

Look here: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...tin/kilmartin/

For more views of Kilmartin Glen (and other interesting spots), go here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/160307011guDXrh

For our full trip report, see here:

http://www.onelittleworld.com/scotland_1.html

Thanks for all the info about Kilmartin, but I think I've realised it's not really my kind of thing - looks worth a visit though. Great trip report mr go - Skye looks especially interesting and I loved the picture of Fairy Glen. I still think that might be a possibility, although I'm drawn to the beaches at Tiree and Arisaig. Aaargh! I was hoping that by marrying on holiday, we'd save all the hassle, but there are still so many decisions to make! Can someone decide for me please?!

Sorry Claire, I made a mistake on one of the hotel links.

http://www.cnoc-na-faire.co.uk/

Here's a few more sites that may be useful.

http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/arisaig/arisaig

http://www.scotland-info.co.uk/mallaig.htm

http://www.arisaigmarine.co.uk/

On the road to the Isles site there is a mention on getting married on the main Local Hero beach at Camusdarach. This beach,as far as I know is privately owned, so has a special license for marriages.

http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/...-weddings.html

The beach I was talking about was a smaller beach,but Camusdarach is very beautiful too.

I don't know anything about the rules for getting married on a beach, but hopefully as long as you had a minister willing to marry you in the area sorted,and somewhere to eat afterwards arranged, you could pick the spot that felt right to you when you get there?

There is fishing close by at Loch Morar,probably in quite a few other places too,I would think.Loch Morar is a lovely place for a picnic on the shores of the loch too.Very peaceful. The beach at Morar is another lovely place.

There are various boat trips available from Arisaig and Mallaig.You can go to the small islands and Skye.Also whale watching,trips to see dolphins,seals,puffins,otters,eagles etc.

There is a good Tourist Office in Mallaig,so might be worth you e-mailing them to get lots of their info sent to you.

We had deer run across the road in front of us just outside the village.I believe they get less shy in the winter and turn up in the hotel car parks lol.

The drive up is beautiful too,along the shores of Loch Lomond and of course Glencoe has spectacular scenery.

We have had nany wonderful family holidays up there and could never tire of the scenery or be bored.

As I said, even if you've seen the film Local Hero before, watch it again and it will help you to get the feel of the place. Think I have to watch it myself tomorrow - I'm getting withdrawal symptoms ;)

Just so there's no confusion.Beaches in Scotland are all public.

Getting to them can be challenge, somethimes, tho':)

Apparently Camusdarach is privately owned though, so you need permission to get married there. I'm worried it might be a bit too crowded around that area in summer as well.
I still love the look of Tiree, but my fiance is keen on island-hopping, so I'm still thinking Arisaig might be a better idea, followed by a week in Skye, as it seems you can visit lots of islands from both places and I'm quite keen to spend some time on Skye.

I promise you Camusdarach is NOT private.

And I'm not sening you in that direction, but neither is it EVER crowded. This is Scotland and it is remote, even by our standards.

http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/camusdarach.html

You can visit the Small isles from Arisaig- Rhumm Eigg and Muick, and Canna- and you can visit the Uists- which are linked by causeway to each other, and Harris and Lewis from Skye.