Wedding Venues in Scotland

Freedom over location

Scotland's marriage law gives couples more flexibility than elsewhere in the UK. Religious and belief ceremonies, including humanist weddings, can take place almost anywhere, so a loch shore, a hillside or a beach can be the setting for the ceremony itself. Civil ceremonies have their own rules, so check with the local registrar early to understand what applies to your plans and the notice you need to give.

Venue styles

Castles and baronial houses are a familiar sight across the country, from the Borders to the Highlands. Lochside hotels around Loch Lomond and in Argyll, estates in Aberdeenshire and Perthshire, coastal venues in Fife and East Lothian, and remote lodges on the west coast and islands all appeal. Edinburgh and Glasgow offer historic buildings, hotels and characterful city spaces.

Planning considerations

• Remote Highland venues may need guests to stay for several nights, so help them plan travel and accommodation
• Edinburgh is extremely busy in August during the festival season, which affects hotel availability
• Summer brings long daylight hours in the north, but midges can be a nuisance at outdoor venues on still evenings

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness airports, plus rail links from England, make most of the country reachable. Popular summer dates can book up early.