Scottish Wedding Venues - Insider's Guide

Scotland is home to some of the most stunning wedding venues in the world, and as a wedding clothing and accessories specialist, we felt it was appropriate to collate the best of these venues into an easy to follow guide. We'll be updating this guide frequently so keep an eye on it for new additions!

What makes the Virgin Hotel unique from other wedding venues in the area? Since introducing Virgin Hotels and Greyfriars Hall to Edinburgh last year, Virgin Hotels are bringing a new lease of life to the former Cowgatehead Church, our new Weddings and Events space, located at No 2 Cowgate. I feel very lucky to be the first wedding planner for the venue and love to show our space to prospective couples and see their excitement when they first see the Hall in person. This converted church has an incredible gothic vaulted ceiling from which hangs the worlds first 3D printed, bio plastic chandelier and we have lighting can be changed to match colour schemes and set the mood. If you are looking for a wedding venue that marries traditional ecclesiastical architecture with a contemporary flair and luxury accommodation, then this is it.

Once couples have chosen you to host their wedding, what services do you offer to make their big day even more special? Being a hotel with 2 bars and restaurants means we can offer a full weekend of activities and not just the day itself.

Edinburgh is steeped in history, what locations are close to the venue that would be a good backdrop for wedding photos? As well as our own roof terrace with castle views, we are very lucky to be so near to some great spots for photos – Victoria Street is our doorstep , the Vennel Steps and of course the castle is not far away. Sometimes the forgotten spots also make a great shot – even Cowgate in the rain looks fantastic and has a classic Edinburgh feel to it.

Do you have any stories or memories of a wedding that are particularly special? Our first wedding in April will always have a special place for me – I left that day buzzing knowing I had been a part of their special day. We also had a wedding recently who were the first to bring their dogs along for the photos so will never forget them. Have lots of dogs next year coming.

Weddings take many shapes and forms, do you get a lot of weird and wonderful requests for the big day? Nothing too weird just yet but everyone has a unique vision for their day and we will adapt our approach for every wedding to ensure the couples individual requirements are properly met.

What is the most important role the hotel plays in the lead up to and on the big day? We are always there to offer support and advice if needed throughout the journey up to the big day. From recommending trusted suppliers to our wedding menu which has a focus on top notch Scottish produce and is updated seasonally.

Do you remember the very first wedding at the venue, and the special couple who celebrated?It was just in April this year and I couldn’t have asked for a better first couple for the venue and for me! They had viewed the venue when it was still a building site and thankfully saw the vision we saw and fell in love with it.

Does the hotel have different event spaces to suit all couples and wedding sizes? Greyfriars Hall is our main space and we are finding it is very popular with smaller, intimate weddings as well as the bigger ones. We are more than happy to look at all the spaces we have though. We had an elopement from America use our Common Club Bar for their ceremony.

What is your favourite part of the wedding and why? Seeing the couple let their hair down and getting on the dance floor. Sometimes I see they can’t fully relax until that part and I see their genuine happiness come through and really enjoy themselves.

We of course are big fans of tartan. Do most of your weddings incorporate tartans, and if so, in what capacity? The grooms outfits have been the most popular way of brining tartan into the day. I especially love a pair of tartan trousers.

Recently, two members of our team, Lewis and Ellen, had the privilege of exhibiting ScotlandShop's full wedding collection at the Virgin Hotels Wedding Show. Nestled in the elegance of the venue, they engaged with numerous excited brides and grooms-to-be, offering a firsthand look at the exquisite offerings that can add a touch of Scottish flair to their special day.

At the showcase, Lewis and Ellen guided couples through the stunning array of wedding products on display. They emphasised the unique tartan touches that could make each wedding truly exceptional. For the grooms, the exhibit featured the complete kilt outfit and a wide range of accessories—from sporran options to an assortment of kilt pins, sgian dubhs, right down to the colour options available for socks and flashes.

A touch of elegance for the brides, the exhibit highlighted a fabulous range of boleros, bags and shoes providing the perfect complement to their wedding attire. However, the unexpected star of the show turned out to be the tartan dog collar, capturing the hearts of couples planning to include their four-legged friends in their special day. Who knew there was such a trend of cherished pets as ring bearers in wedding ceremonies?

Based in the New Town part of Edinburgh, The Georgian House is one of the most distinctively Georgian buildings that you'll find in the capital (as the name would suggest). Designed by acclaimed Scottish architect Robert Adam, this grand townhouse was a bold statement of luxury during the 1700s, and is still impressive to this day. Most of the house is still accessible, with the Drawing Room being particularly breath-taking.

The stylish interiors of The Georgian House make it a fantastic wedding venue for intimate ceremonies, with a capacity of around 50 guests. 17th century paintings and furniture still remain beautifully untouched within the building, and will add a real feeling of elegance to any wedding. You can sip champagne in the drawing room and gaze at the views over Charlotte Square Garden.

Located in the South of Glasgow, Holmwood House is slightly less popular than it's grandeur would suggest. However, don't let the location of this residential villa deter you from visiting it or considering it as a potential wedding venue - the trip to the south is well worth the effort. Alexander 'Greek' Thomson is the Scottish architect behind the design of this building, which is generally considered to be his finest creation. It simultaneously feels impressively large from the outside, but comfortingly cosy as soon as you step inside.

The venue offers high quality catering and a fully licensed bar- what more could you ask for? While the house has some new modern aspects, there is still elements of original design features throughout the venue. The home is steeped in Scottish history and makes the perfect for those all important pictures!

Once the home of a variety of kings and queens, Alloa Tower definitely has the grand atmosphere you would expect of a royal home. As the largest surviving keep in Scotland, the tower might look a bit daunting to some (and perhaps not the first place you'd consider as a venue when planning a wedding) - but inside you'll find art and furniture which makes you feel more than welcome.

Mary Queen of Scots spent a significant part of her childhood at Alloa Tower, and many of the antiques you'll find within the building pay homage to this special guest. If you're lucky enough to visit Alloa Tower then it is highly recommended you climb to the top and enjoy the incredible view, spanning across 9 counties.

While it is a smaller venue, it is no stranger to a beautiful wedding. It's large staircase is the perfect entrance for any blushing bride, along with the illustrious Tower grounds, it makes a truly beautiful setting for ant couple.

Often described as an Edwardian Home set in a Japanese garden, Broughton House is certainly on the 'quirkier' end of our list of Scottish Wedding Venues. This is partly due to the tastes of the previous owner, Scottish artist E A Hornel, whose presence is still very much clear as you explore the interior and exterior of the house. The walls of Broughton House are covered in Hornel paintings, as well as work from some of his Scottish contemporaries.

Perched on the Galloway Coast, Broughton House is a fairly underrated but well loved wedding venue. If the weather is nice on your big day then the garden could be an absolutely stunning place to hold your reception.

Greenbank Garden is a walled garden based in East Renfrewshire. At only 6 miles away from the centre of Glasgow, it has become an increasingly popular place to visit as more and more people have began to realise how conveniently close it is to the city. Featuring more than 3,600 species of plants, it's a haven for gardeners and plant enthusiasts, as well as anyone who enjoys peaceful and beautiful surroundings.

Greenbank Gardens are large (2.5 acres) and could easily house a large marquee if having an event here. Alternatively, Greenbank House has enough room for around 50 people and is equally as beautiful.

Just a stone's throw from the quaint town of Castle Douglas, Threave Gardens might be tucked away in the South but it has a reputation which spans the entire country. The garden itself is split into a series of smaller gardens, all showcasing their own unique style - including a rose garden and an impressive walled garden. There is also a secret garden on the estate, however we won't tell you where to find it as that would spoil the fun!

Elsewhere on the estate you'll find a bat reserve, and various types of Geese (including pink-footed and Greenland white-footed varieties). Weddings can take place within Threave House, but are probably more likely to be held within a marquee on the gardens.

Another stunning Georgian House to add to our list, and another venue which is stunning both inside and outside. Set in the heart of woodland and surrounded by well kept and colourful gardens, House of Dun took 13 years to complete but was clearly worth the wait! The interior is like a museum of Georgian architecture, with the kitchen being particularly impressive - it features a clockwork spit, a device which was fairly revolutionary at the time and must have saved the kitchen staff hours of time.

The building itself was inspired by the Chateau D'Issy, and is the perfect setting for a grand wedding. The house could hold around 100 guests, however the grounds are capable of holding more than 5x that.

Melrose Abbey might be partly ruined, but the remaining parts of the building which are still standing are so beautiful that it continues to be an incredibly beautiful building. The abbey was built in the 12th century by Cistercian monks, and their influence is clear. It apparently took around 10 years to complete the build of the abbey, and was once considered to be the 'Mother Church' of Scotland. The abbey was so greatly loved by Robert the Bruce that he chose it as the resting place for his heart.

The large arches and proximity to the River Tweed make the abbey a picturesque and quaint location for a wedding ceremony. There is only a small indoor area as the abbey is mostly ruined, however a marquee could be set up within the grounds and could easily host several hundred guests.

Linlithgow Palace is the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, making it a palace steeped in Scottish history. Located between Edinburgh and Stirling, Linlithgow Palace became known as a popular place for Royals to visit during trips between the 2 major castles of Scotland. The palace was partly ruined in a fire in Linlithgow during the 15th century.

With Linlithgow Loch running alongside the palace, it is a beautiful location which is not only popular for weddings, but also for filming. More recently it was the primary filming location for the show 'Outlander'. Although the palace is now mostly ruins, there is a small indoor area which can be used for events, known as the undercrofts, and the surrounding grounds are perfect for an outdoor wedding.

As Scotland's largest medieval church, St Andrew's Cathedral is an important landmark which covers a large area in St Andrews and is visible even from sea. Despite it's ruinous state, the cathedral has remained a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, and is frequently used for large events (including weddings!). It was once the headquarters of the Scottish Church, and the importance of this building is still very clear upon visiting. If you visit the Apex Hotel in Dundee you'll see this a huge history collection dedicated to this Cathedral.

Much of the appeal of this castle can be attributed to the location - perched on the banks of loch Awe, it is little wonder that Kilchurn Castle has gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful places to enjoy a wedding. But don't just think of Kilchurn castle as a wedding venue - it also has a rich history which is worth exploring. Built in the 15th century, the castle is home to the oldest surviving barracks in the whole of Britain.

The castle is ruinous however there are indoor areas which can hold tables etc. and the outdoor area is more than adequate for a few hundred guests. It is only open during the summer which will greatly improve the chances of the weather being good (however it's still Scotland so who knows!). You can only access the castle by boat so you'd have to make sure that your guests were up for that!

Despite being founded in the 12th century, Dryburgh Abbey has remained remarkably intact. This is even more impressive when you consider the location of this medieval abbey - right next to the River Tweed. The abbey still looks great from the outside, but it is the interior of the abbey which is really special. Plaster and paintwork from when it was built (almost 1,000 years ago) can still be found on the walls. This is despite the abbey being victim of around 3 or 4 serious attacks over the years.

Dryburgh Abbey is a fantastic location for smaller wedding ceremonies and photoshoots. The entire grounds could probably accommodate roughly 100 people, and the building itself has enough interiors to keep guests comfortable if the weather was to take a turn for the worse.

There are various locations in Calgary where the main wedding could be held, however if the weather is good then it is definitely worth hitting the beach for the main reception.