The best wedding venues in Scotland

With beautiful castles surrounded by ancient forests, castles around every corner, the wild magic of the Highlands and huge galleries just waiting to be seen, it’s no wonder Scotland is a top choice for those looking for a romantic wedding.

Thanks to Scottish marriage laws, you can say your vows anywhere. But if you’d rather have a roof over your head and make sure your photos aren’t crowded with guests, there are plenty of beautiful wedding venues in Scotland to choose from. From a castle in the hills of the Outer Hebrides to a student library in the beautiful city of Edinburgh, these are the best wedding venues in Scotland in 2023 and beyond.

Stemster House, Caithness

From the North Coast 500 route and half an hour’s drive from John o’ Groats, Stemster House is a new Scottish wedding venue that packs a big punch. Owner and wedding coordinator Jacqueline decided to turn her home into a wedding venue after having her own weddings there, and now it’s a special-use venue with beautiful gardens and lush green hills. With three wedding day packages available, we prefer the weekend package which offers use of the venue and resort for three days of the week and seats 100 guests for the ceremony and 180 for the reception. This is also a great jumping off point for a honeymoon around the Scottish Highlands.

Guests: 100 per event to 180 to receive
Address: Halkirk, Caithness, KW12 6UX
Website: stemsterhouse.com

Dunskey Estate, Dumfries

In the Scottish countryside, a few minutes from the Irish Sea, a wedding at Dunskey Estate is ideal for those who want the joy of planning a wedding. Whether you want to get married in an Edwardian mansion, in the middle of a walled garden, ancient woodland, or on the edge of a loch, the team can arrange everything from your food and drinks to your photographer and videographer. They have an in-house florist and wedding coordinator too. With a capacity of 50 guests to sleep in modern rooms and suites and 30 to stay across the eight rooms of the resort, you can save the celebrations for the weekend.

Guests: up to 80 indoors and 120 outdoors
Address: Dunskey Estate, Portpatrick, Stranraer DG9 8TJ
Website: dunskey.com

Lews Castle, Outer Hebrides

On the quiet side of the Isle of Lewis’s Stornoway harbour, Lews Castle is the perfect venue for those who can’t decide between a castle wedding or a seaside venue. This property has all the makings of a great Outer Hebrides wedding venue: sparkling sea views, ample space, and great service. The Gothic Revival building dates back to the 1800s, and weddings here can be held in the chandeliered living room, the light-filled library or the breakfast room with harbor views. Guests can dine on hand-dipped scallops, local fish, or wild game before returning to one of the 22 state-of-the-art rooms after a boogie or three. If you choose a wedding between autumn and spring, you can be exposed to natural light, because on empty evenings you can often see the northern lights dancing in the sky above the tower.