A Destination Wedding at Carlowrie Castle: Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married at Scotland’s Most Celebrated Castle Venue

I have been fortunate enough to travel a great deal in my 17 years of photographing weddings — to Italian vineyards and French chateaux, to clifftop chapels and ancient adobes, to places that stop you in your tracks because beauty has no obligation to warn you it is coming. Scotland belongs in that category. And Carlowrie Castle, specifically, belongs in a smaller and more exclusive category still: venues that I think about long after the wedding is over, that live in the back of my mind as the standard against which other beautiful places are quietly measured.

I spent a week in Edinburgh last year photographing a two-day wedding at Carlowrie Castle, and what came from that experience — the photographs, yes, but also the understanding of what this place actually is and what it makes possible — is the foundation of everything I want to tell you in this post. If you are dreaming of a destination wedding in Scotland, and specifically wondering whether Carlowrie Castle is the right venue for your celebration, I want to give you the real and complete picture. Not a brochure. Not a checklist. A genuine, considered account of what it means to get married here.

What Is Carlowrie Castle?

Carlowrie Castle is a Victorian Scottish Baronial castle set within 32 acres of private estate in Kirkliston, approximately nine miles west of Edinburgh city centre and ten minutes from Edinburgh International Airport. Built between 1852 and 1855 and originally designed as the home of Thomas Hutchison — an Edinburgh wine merchant and Lord Provost of Leith — the castle has only ever been owned by two families in its entire history. That continuity of ownership is not a trivial detail. It is part of what gives Carlowrie its particular quality of settled, cared-for beauty — the kind that accumulates over generations rather than being applied during a renovation.

The castle’s most celebrated former resident was Isobel Wylie Hutchison, a remarkable Scottish explorer, botanist, poet, and artist who lived at Carlowrie and used it as her home base between solo expeditions to the Arctic, Iceland, Greenland, and Alaska at a time when most women were not permitted to vote and few had ever ventured far beyond their immediate surroundings. She learned eight languages, captured some of the earliest documentary film footage ever recorded, and collected botanical specimens that are still held at Kew Gardens in London and the Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburgh.

Some of the plants she brought back from her expeditions still grow in the Carlowrie grounds today. When you walk the castle’s walled garden or its tree-lined drive, you are walking ground that a genuinely extraordinary human being tended and returned to throughout a life of remarkable adventure. That history is present in the landscape in a way that gives the estate a specific and irreplaceable depth of character.

The current owner, Andrew Marshall, is the second and only other owner the castle has had. Following extensive renovations, he opened Carlowrie as a luxury exclusive-use event venue in 2014. Since then it has been voted one of the Eight Best Wedding Venues in the World by Grazia Magazine, one of the Top Three Venues in Europe at the International Hotel Awards, and in 2024 became the first B Corp certified castle in the world — a recognition of its exceptionally high standards of social and environmental practice, including sourcing all food sustainably and transparently from within Scotland.

The Spaces at Carlowrie Castle

When you book a wedding at Carlowrie Castle, you are not renting a room within a larger commercial operation. You are taking exclusive possession of the entire castle and its 32-acre estate for the duration of your event — every space, every garden, every corridor and corner of this extraordinary building. This exclusivity is fundamental to the Carlowrie experience, and it shapes everything about how a wedding day unfolds here.

The Orangery is the space I find myself describing most often when I talk about Carlowrie with couples who are considering it. A genuinely serene and beautiful glass-enclosed structure with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the perfectly manicured castle lawn, it floods with natural light in a way that is extraordinarily beautiful for photography at almost every time of day. It accommodates up to 100 guests for dining and has direct access onto the lawn and grounds — which means the ceremony-to-reception flow between outdoors and indoors is seamless.

The Garden Marquee is the venue’s largest event space — a stunning structure with floor-to-ceiling glass frontage overlooking the lawn, fully equipped with a marble-topped bar, boutique restrooms, crystal chandeliers, and color-select LED lighting. It hosts up to 275 guests for dining and 450 for an evening reception, with the option to extend to 500 for dining and 1,000 for a drinks reception.

This is the space for couples who want genuine grandeur of scale — a reception environment that delivers the full impact of a Scottish castle celebration without limitation. The combination of the glass frontage and the chandelier lighting creates an evening atmosphere that I find genuinely difficult to overstate in still photographs, but that registers completely and immediately in person.

The Walled Garden is one of my favorite spaces on the entire property for wedding ceremonies. Enclosed by ancient stone walls and planted with a combination of formal and kitchen garden elements, it provides a ceremony backdrop that feels completely private and deeply rooted in the landscape of the estate. The stone walls catch the Scottish afternoon light beautifully, and the combination of climbing roses, herbaceous borders, and the castle’s distinctive red Virginia creeper ivy — which transforms the entire facade of the building from green to a brilliant deep crimson each autumn — creates a visual environment that simply does not exist anywhere else.

The Castle Interiors include several spaces with distinct characters. The Library Bar — the former library of the castle, now serving as a bar with a hand-picked selection of Scottish malts and local gins — has exactly the kind of atmosphere you hope a Scottish castle library will have. The Marble Room houses the boutique Champagne Bar, with sumptuous soft furnishings for a more relaxed gathering space.

The Piano Room, complete with a baby grand piano, provides additional entertaining space that has been used for everything from champagne towers and whisky bars to DJ setups. Each of these spaces has genuine character accumulated over more than 170 years of use and habitation, and each provides a completely different photographic environment within a single wedding day.

Accommodation at Carlowrie Castle

One of the most significant practical advantages of a destination wedding at Carlowrie Castle wedding is the comprehensiveness of the on-site accommodation — and for destination weddings involving guests traveling internationally, this is not a detail but a central feature of the experience.

The castle itself has nine spacious bedrooms, each furnished with handcrafted beds and cabinetry and original artwork by contemporary artists, with en-suite bathrooms featuring underfloor heating, roll-top baths, and walk-in showers. The Marshall Suite is the bridal suite most frequently requested by couples — a luxurious private space with its own entrance that serves as an extraordinary getting-ready environment and honeymoon suite. Additional accommodation is available across the Gate Lodge, which has five bedrooms, and the newly converted Stables, adding a further six bedrooms.

Across all estate properties, total accommodation sleeps up to 42 guests — making it possible for a significant portion of an intimate wedding guest list to stay on the estate itself throughout the wedding weekend. The castle also offers private stays for couples who want to extend their time at Carlowrie beyond the wedding event.

For guests who cannot be accommodated on the estate, the proximity to Edinburgh Airport — just ten minutes by car — means that an enormous range of hotels across all price points is accessible within a short drive. Ratho Park Steading, Orocco Pier in South Queensferry, and several Premier Inn and Hilton properties near the airport are all recommended options for overflow accommodation.

The Culinary Program at Carlowrie Castle

The food at Carlowrie Castle is a subject that deserves its own considered section, because it is genuinely one of the most discussed and celebrated elements of any wedding held here.

The castle’s executive chef, David Millar — winner of Scottish Chef of the Year 2025 — leads a culinary program built entirely around sustainable, transparently sourced Scottish produce. Every item on a Carlowrie wedding menu traces to a specific and named source: dry-aged grass-fed beef from quality Scottish farms hand-picked by local family butchers, game from Scottish estates, fish hand-selected daily by expert fishmongers from the best fishing ports across Scotland, fresh produce from local growers, and some ingredients grown in the castle’s own walled garden. The castle’s proud B Corp certification is directly reflected in how this kitchen operates — not as a marketing claim but as a daily practice that shapes every menu decision.

The wedding menu process begins with a private tasting at the castle, where Chef Millar and his team work with each couple to develop a seasonal menu that reflects both their personal preferences and what the Scottish landscape is producing at its best at the time of the wedding. The menus are flexible and genuinely customizable — this is not a set-package catering operation but a bespoke culinary collaboration. The castle also produces its own Carlowrie Crémant from the heart of France’s Loire Valley, available exclusively on the estate.

Couples who have eaten at their Carlowrie wedding consistently describe the food as among the finest they have ever experienced at any event — and given the level of the estate’s culinary credentials, that is not a surprise.

Pricing at Carlowrie Castle

Carlowrie Castle weddings are priced as exclusive-use events encompassing the entire estate. Pricing begins at approximately £9,000 for weekday off-peak packages including accommodation — making it more accessible than many comparable exclusive-use castle venues in Scotland when the included accommodation value is factored in. Peak season Saturday weddings are priced significantly higher; couples should contact the Carlowrie team directly for current pricing based on their specific date and guest count.

What is included within the Carlowrie package is comprehensive: exclusive use of the castle and all 32 acres of estate, nine castle bedrooms with breakfast for up to 18 guests, ceremony setup including ivory aisle runner, Limewash Chiavari banqueting chairs, choice of round or rectangular tables, tablecloths, napkins, premium glassware, crockery and cutlery, and a cake stand and knife. The finalized guest count is confirmed four weeks prior to the event, with adjustments to food and beverage costs made accordingly. Minimum guest counts apply for certain package configurations — couples should discuss the specific terms with the venue team during the inquiry process.

Best Seasons for a Carlowrie Castle Wedding

Each season at Carlowrie Castle has a genuine and specific character, and I want to be honest about what each offers rather than simply recommending the obvious.

Autumn — September and October — is the season I would choose above all others for photography at this castle, and it is not a difficult choice. The Virginia creeper ivy that covers the facade of the building transforms from green to a brilliant, deep crimson during this period — typically beginning to turn in September and reaching peak color in late September and early October. The effect of that red facade against the Scottish sky and the golden autumn grounds is one of the most spectacular natural design features I have encountered at any wedding venue anywhere in the world.

If you have any flexibility in your date, and the red ivy matters to you aesthetically, late September to early October is the specific window to aim for. The light in the Scottish countryside during October has a warmth and depth that summer light does not replicate, and the temperatures remain comfortable for outdoor ceremonies and portraits.

Spring — April through June — brings the walled garden to full life, with climbing roses, fresh herbaceous borders, and the castle’s extensive grounds in their most lush and verdant state. The longer days of late May and June give couples more time in the evening light, and the atmosphere of the estate in spring has a freshness and optimism that is genuinely lovely to photograph within.

Summer — July and August — is the most reliably dry and warm season in Scotland, which makes it the most popular for outdoor ceremonies in the walled garden. The days are extraordinarily long in Scottish summer — light can persist past 10 PM in July — which gives the photography a quality of extended golden hour that is almost impossible to replicate anywhere else in the world at this latitude. Guest comfort for outdoor components is at its highest in summer.

Winter events at Carlowrie have a particular and very specific magic that I want couples to know about before dismissing the cooler months. The castle lit from within on a dark Scottish evening, with the woodsmoke smell of a fire and the amber glow of the Library Bar and the chandeliers of the Orangery visible from the grounds — this is a genuinely extraordinary visual environment. Winter pricing is the most accessible of the year. The castle is available for Christmas stays and Hogmanay celebrations. And the intimacy that Scottish winter weather naturally encourages — everyone drawn inside, gathered around warmth and good food and each other — creates a wedding atmosphere that summer openness does not quite replicate.

The Legal Requirements for a Wedding in Scotland

One of the genuine practical advantages of Scotland as a destination wedding location is how straightforward the legal framework actually is — and it is worth knowing the details clearly before beginning the planning process.

Scotland requires the submission of a Notice of Marriage to the registrar no earlier than three months and no later than 29 days before the ceremony. Both parties will need their passports, birth certificates, and any divorce decrees or death certificates from previous marriages. The civil registrar’s office local to Carlowrie — the Edinburgh registrar — handles the paperwork for the legal ceremony.

Scotland is one of the very few jurisdictions in the world where humanist ceremonies are legally recognized and binding, which is a significant and meaningful option for couples who want a ceremony that is neither religious nor a civil registry formality. A humanist celebrant can lead a fully legal wedding ceremony with complete freedom to design the vows, readings, rituals, and flow of the ceremony according to the couple’s values and story.

For international couples who have been unable to find an officiating option in their home country that feels personally authentic, Scotland’s humanist marriage option is genuinely transformative. A civil ceremony conducted by a registrar is also fully legal and widely used, as is a religious ceremony through any recognized denomination.

For the symbolic ceremony option — which is the most popular choice for international destination couples at Carlowrie — couples arrange a civil legal registration at home before or after the Scotland trip, and hold the full ceremony and celebration at the castle as their true wedding experience. This approach eliminates the administrative complexity of foreign marriage registration while allowing complete freedom in the design of the ceremony itself.

Scottish Wedding Traditions Worth Considering

Part of what makes a Carlowrie Castle wedding so specific and memorable for international couples is the opportunity to incorporate Scottish traditions that carry genuine meaning and that guests who have never attended a Scottish wedding will find completely unforgettable.

The Ceilidh is the one I most consistently recommend to every couple considering Carlowrie regardless of their background. A Scottish country dance party — full of reels, jigs, and group dances led by a caller who guides guests through each sequence — a ceilidh is the most reliably joyful reception addition I have ever photographed. It does not matter whether your guests have ever danced a Scottish reel before. By the second dance, everyone is participating. By the third, no one wants to stop. Carlowrie’s spaces are perfectly proportioned for a ceilidh, and the combination of castle setting, live ceilidh band, and Scottish country dancing creates wedding photographs that guests describe for years afterward.

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ritual in which the couple’s hands are bound together with ribbon or cord during the ceremony, symbolizing the union of two lives. It is deeply rooted in Scottish and Celtic tradition and can be incorporated into any ceremony style — humanist, civil, or religious. For couples drawn to ritual with historical depth and visual impact, handfasting is an extraordinarily beautiful ceremony addition that photographs with particular power.

A piper playing as the wedding party processes is one of those experiences that guests who have never encountered it before consistently describe as producing an involuntary physical response — the hair rising on the arms, the throat tightening unexpectedly. Bagpipes at a Scottish castle wedding are not a cliché. They are the appropriate sound of this specific place and this specific tradition, and they announce the ceremony with a force and presence that no other instrument quite replicates.

Kilts and tartan incorporated into the wedding party’s attire connect the celebration to Scottish heritage in a way that photographs beautifully against the castle backdrop and that guests from outside Scotland genuinely appreciate as part of the experience of being here. Scottish whisky served throughout the evening — particularly a selection of single malts from across the regions, with brief notes from the bartender on the character of each — turns the bar program into an education and an experience rather than simply a service.

Getting to Carlowrie Castle

The logistics of reaching Carlowrie Castle are genuinely more straightforward than most international couples initially assume, and this is worth knowing clearly because it affects how guests experience the journey as well as how couples plan the arrival.

Edinburgh International Airport is ten minutes by car from the castle — one of the shortest airport-to-venue transfers I have encountered at any destination wedding location. Guests flying from London are typically in the air for approximately one hour and twenty minutes from Heathrow or Gatwick. Direct flights from major North American cities including New York, Toronto, and Boston to Edinburgh are available with several carriers, making Carlowrie accessible without the layover complexity of many European destination venues. A private car transfer from the airport to the castle takes approximately ten to fifteen minutes depending on traffic and the specific terminal.

From Edinburgh city centre, the castle is approximately a 30-minute drive, and bus service to Kirkliston village is available for guests who prefer public transport. A large private car park accommodates up to 150 vehicles for guests arriving independently, and electric car charging ports are available on the estate.

For couples and guests wanting to extend the Scotland experience beyond the wedding weekend, Edinburgh itself requires no recommendation — it is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities in Europe, with the Old Town, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, the National Museum of Scotland, and one of the world’s great arts festival cities all within the city boundaries. Further afield, the Scottish Highlands, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Glencoe, St. Andrews, and the Orkney Islands are all within reach for guests building a longer Scottish holiday around the celebration.

Why Carlowrie Castle is the Right Choice

I want to close with something that is harder to quantify than pricing or capacity or logistics, because I think it is the most important thing about this venue.

There are beautiful castle venues in Scotland, and there are well-run castle venues, and there are castle venues with excellent catering. Carlowrie Castle is all of these things simultaneously, but what distinguishes it above the others in its category is the specific quality of the team and the care with which every event is managed. The reviews of Carlowrie Castle from couples who have married here are some of the most consistent and emphatic I have read at any venue anywhere.

They describe a team that goes above and beyond as a matter of practice rather than exception — who make every couple feel as though their wedding is the only one that matters, who anticipate needs before they are expressed, who bring a level of personal investment to the event that makes the castle feel less like a commercial venue and more like a home that has been opened to you with genuine warmth.

When I photographed there, I felt that. The staff understood what the day was, why it mattered, and how to support it without intruding on it. The castle itself did enormous amounts of the photographic work — there are very few venues where I feel I can work in every direction without encountering a view that disappoints — but the people who run it elevated every interaction and every moment beyond what the physical beauty alone could provide.

Carlowrie Castle is voted one of the Eight Best Wedding Venues in the World by Grazia. It has been recognized among the Top Three Venues in Europe. It is the only B Corp certified castle on the planet. And it is, in my experience, everything those recognitions suggest and then a little more.

If you are planning a destination wedding at Carlowrie Castle and looking for a photographer who has worked on these grounds, who knows how the light moves across the walled garden in the afternoon and what the Orangery does in morning preparation photographs, and who travels internationally with the same passion for Scottish light that brought me here in the first place — I would be genuinely honored to be part of your day. Reach out through my contact page and let’s have a real conversation about your vision, your guest list, and what you want your Carlowrie Castle wedding photographs to carry for the rest of your lives.

Vendor Credits from a Recent Carlowrie Castle Wedding

Venue: Carlowrie Castle

Florals: Oak and Fig Florals & Leigh Rice Floral Design

Wedding Planning: Willow and Ivy Events

Photography: Courtney Bowlden Photography

Blog Featured: Style Me Pretty

Why Scotland Is *The* Place

First, let’s talk about why Scotland is a genius idea for a wedding.
– **The Scenery is Unreal:** Whether it’s the Highlands, the Isle of Skye, or the cliffs of St. Andrews, every corner of Scotland looks like it’s been Photoshopped.
– **Castles Galore:** You could throw a stone and hit a castle (but don’t do that, obviously). Many of them double as wedding venues.
– **Do It Your Way:** Scottish law is chill about weddings. Want to get married on a beach, in a forest, or on a mountaintop? Totally legal.
– **All the Romance:** This place just oozes romance. Bagpipes, tartan, misty mornings…it’s like a fairytale.

Additionally, imagine the elegance of a wedding at carlowrie castle. It enhances the romantic atmosphere that Scotland inherently possesses.

Where Do You Even Start?

Step 1: Pick the Spot
You’ve got options. SO many options.
– Castles: If you want royal vibes, check out spots like Edinburgh Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, or Drumtochty Castle. They’re as magical as they sound.
– Nature: For outdoorsy couples, places like Glencoe or Loch Ness are jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
– City Chic: Edinburgh and Glasgow have cool venues if you’re into history and nightlife.

When you choose a wedding at Carlowrie Castle, you’re selecting one of the most iconic venues Scotland has to offer.

Step 2: Know When to Go
The weather can be a little…let’s call it “moody.” Summer (June-August) is the safest bet for sunshine, but autumn (September-October) gives you fiery foliage and fewer tourists. Winter? Stunning, but it’ll be cold. Just plan for a cozy vibe.

What About the Legal Stuff?

Okay, don’t stress. Scotland actually makes the legal part pretty simple.
1. You’ll need to submit a **Notice of Marriage** at least 29 days before the wedding.
2. Make sure your documents (passport, birth certificates, etc.) are ready to go.
3. Decide on the type of ceremony: civil, religious, or humanist (Scotland is one of the few places where humanist weddings are legally binding!).

Remember, a wedding in Scotland requires some legal considerations, but it’s all part of the exciting journey!

Pro tip: Double-check deadlines and requirements early. This is one of those “better safe than sorry” things.

Adding That Scottish Magic

Let’s talk details because Scotland has some cool traditions you can incorporate:
– Kilts and Tartan: Whether it’s a full-on kilt for the groom or subtle tartan details, it’s such a fun way to tie in Scottish heritage.
– Handfasting Ceremony: This is where your hands are literally tied together with ribbon to symbolize your union. Super romantic.
– Bagpipes: Have a piper play as you walk down the aisle. Trust me, goosebumps are guaranteed.
– Scottish Food & Drink: Your guests will love local treats like Scotch whisky, shortbread, and maybe even a little haggis (if they’re brave!).

For your wedding in Scotland, consider incorporating local traditions to make the event even more special.

What’s the Weather Like?

Real talk: Scotland’s weather is unpredictable. You might get sunshine, rain, or both within an hour. Here’s how to prep:
– Have a Plan B for outdoor ceremonies.
– Pack some stylish umbrellas or rain boots for photos (honestly, rainy Scotland is even more romantic).
– Embrace the weather! Mist and clouds add an epic vibe to your photos.

The Logistics

Planning a wedding from afar might sound daunting, but Scotland has amazing vendors who know how to handle destination weddings.
– Hire a Planner: They’ll save you so much time and stress. Plus, they know all the best spots and vendors.
– Photographer: Get someone who knows Scotland’s lighting—it’s like no other place. (And hey, I know a photographer who LOVES destination weddings and has photographed lots of weddings in Scotland. Just saying!)
– Extras: Florists, caterers, and musicians who know the Scottish style will bring everything together.

Make It an Adventure

If you’re going all the way to Scotland, why not turn it into a mini-vacation?
– Explore the Highlands, take a boat ride on Loch Lomond, or visit the magical Isle of Skye.
– Tour castles, walk the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, or try some whisky tastings.
– Bonus: Your guests will love the excuse to make a trip out of it too!

After your wedding, take the time to explore all that Scotland has to offer for a true adventure.

Planning a destination wedding in Scotland isn’t just about throwing a party—it’s about creating an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic Highland elopement or a big castle celebration, Scotland has everything you need for a fairytale day.

Take a deep breath, start planning, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. And if you need someone to capture the magic? I’ve got my passport ready. 😉

So, now that you know a little more about planning a wedding in Scotland, I wanted to share with you what a rehearsal dinner photography coverage might look like. Scotland really is a magical place, and I know many more castles that are absolutely epic!