RJ Macready
Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular and it’s not hard to see why – it’s your very special day, after all, and it’s understandable that you might prefer to spend it in a spectacular location with breathtaking views rather than your local church.
But one potential drawback in opting for an impressive venue for your nuptials is accessibility. You don’t necessarily want to go for somewhere that’s going to be logistical nightmare to get to.
Blair Castle is located only 90 minutes from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, close to the village of Blair Atholl in Perthshire and offers range of options for wedding parties of various sizes. It recently won the regional north award for best venue at the 2020 Scottish Confetti Wedding Awards.
The castle was originally built in the 13th century but has been consistently added to and remodelled throughout the years. Although conveniently located just off the A9, the main route through the Highlands, the castle’s extensive grounds lend it a secluded nature. They also offer the perfect backdrop for wedding photography with landscaped areas, walled gardens, the tree-lined driveway and bridges over rivers to explore.
The estate also has a selection of accommodation to suit whoever is in the wedding party. There are onebedroom woodland lodges set at the foot of the driveway of the castle, two- and three-bedroom caravan holiday homes and family camping pods in the Blair Castle Caravan Park. The estate also boasts a selection of well-equipped hunting lodges with two to 11 bedrooms and there are plenty of activities for your guests, from fishing to off-road safaris.
While undeniably a pretty regal venue – the palatial ballroom can comfortably seat up to 220 people – the castle also caters for smaller weddings. The dining room on the first floor of the castle offers impressive views over the surrounding countryside and creates an ambiance of intimacy and splendour. For something a little different, Blair Castle also offers ceremonies on its west lawn or in the nine-acre walled garden known as Hercules – it’s named for the life-sized statue of the mythic figure which overlooks the garden. You could also have your ceremony in the castle’s St Brides Kirk, which is a ruined church located only a short stroll away from the castle.
Blair Castle offers a fully bespoke wedding service, so each event is unique, and has recently moved from working with a single supplier to a catering panel in order to provide greater variety, aiming to incorporate all sorts of options and styles for your wedding breakfast and evening buffets.
It’s also an ideal choice for a winter wedding. The castle is closed to the public but available for private hire from November until March, which would lend your special day an extra-special sense of exclusivity.