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-   -   Can anyone help with a beautiful location for a wedding in Scotland? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/can-anyone-help-with-a-beautiful-location-for-a-wedding-in-scotland-584271/)

janisj Jan 24th, 2006 08:03 AM

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.

angel_UK Jan 24th, 2006 09:08 AM

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 :)



sheila Jan 24th, 2006 11:09 AM

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.

claireh Jan 25th, 2006 03:02 AM

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!


Until22 Jan 25th, 2006 04:09 AM

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!

claireh Jan 25th, 2006 04:52 AM

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

sheila Jan 25th, 2006 05:01 AM

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.

Gardyloo Jan 25th, 2006 05:58 AM

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/

mr_go Jan 25th, 2006 06:52 AM

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

claireh Jan 25th, 2006 08:04 AM

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?!

angel_UK Jan 25th, 2006 04:35 PM

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 ;)


sheila Jan 28th, 2006 05:45 AM

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

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

claireh Feb 1st, 2006 07:04 AM

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.

sheila Feb 1st, 2006 01:20 PM

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.


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