A Castle For Christmas – Blair Castle, Scotland UK
If you watch holiday movies, you might have seen the fun A Castle for Christmas with Cary Elwes and Brooke Shields. It’s been one of my favourites since it came out in 2021 on my birthday (a great present for me!) and in large part, it’s a favourite due to its Scottish setting + Duke Dunbar’s very very nice Scottish brogue. They used the Dalmeny House in Edinburgh to film and while it was under construction when I went to visit this past summer, I was 1000% into the idea of a castle setting for a happy celebration. But we’re not here to talk about the Dalmeny House. Let’s head an hour and 45 minutes to the west to the beautiful place pictured above – Blair Castle (Atholl Estates). You can follow us on a video tour by clicking HERE.
Blair Castle on the Atholl Estates is a popular venue for weddings, offering a stunning and historic setting for couples looking to celebrate their special day. We had the distinct pleasure of touring the estate with their Head of Tourism, Karen. Not only was it everything that I thought it would be from the pictures, the entire estate felt like a home away from home (if you live in Ontario Canada that is). There are 2,500 acres of gardens on the estate!
Scotland Ceremony Locations
Diana’s Grove
First, we have Diana’s Grove. We forgot to take photos here, we were so in love with being immersed in the greenery. It consists of the secluded woodland adjacent to the castle building and is perfect for an intimate wedding or vow renewal.
St Bride’s Kirk
Next, this gorgeous church ruin is where my husband and I wanted to do our ceremony had we been able to have a destination wedding. It has an open roof and beautiful intact stone walls. Basically, the church is surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Blair Castle, offering opportunities for memorable photographs and a unique atmosphere for the wedding day.
Hercules Garden
Following the path, this spacious garden area was one of the first spots we toured. Pictures do NOT do it justice – to the eye it’s like a grassy wonderland filled with all sorts of florals and ponds. As we found out, it’s named after the life-sized statue of Hercules which overlooks the garden. Coupled with a Chinese bridge, a swan house, a herb garden, a sculpture trail and an orchard of more than 100 fruit trees, this is without reservation one of the most stunning spots in Scotland.
You have a choice of which direction you want to face when standing at your ceremony, and chairs can be brought out. There’s no wrong choice when choosing the garden to host your ceremony. Just be aware that there is about a 10 minute walk for your guests from the castle to the gardens, so build extra walking time into your wedding day schedule!
West Lawn
The most convenient location to the Castle as it is directly beside the main building, this open space gives easy access to both guests and vendors alike. This private outdoor space is perfect for ceremony followed by cocktails, or a cocktail style reception.
THe Work of Art – The Victorian Ballroom
This is arguably the most stunning spaces on the estate. You’ll have to take a look on their website to look at some past events that have been held here, but in person – it takes your breath away. It’s large open concept creates a sense of wonder and can fit 220 guests for a seated dinner. You pass through the hall with the antlers pictured above for a full Scottish experience into this hall. Caterers have easy access to the space as well! AND candles are allowed – we checked! Some of the historical artifacts on the stage can be moved by request to the staff.
Banvie Hall
Banvie Hall is contemporary and bright with super super easy access for the caterers. This airy space is a great option for a modern ceremony, or simply as the welcome space for guest arrival. You can also have other non-wedding events, or an intimate group can use this for a seated meal.
State Dining Room
Undeniably my FAVOURITE room of the entire castle estate. The state dining room feels like a Victorian dream with its delicate Georgian plasterwork. It is heckin’ romantic and can fit the following:
Wedding Ceremony for up to 75 guests
Drinks Receptions for up to 150 guests
Dining for up to 50 guests
They just make sure to remind you not to have red wine or gravy for dinner here, as they can create staining. The staff remove the historical items and reset it with chairs and tables. With this in mind, can you imagine eating here after you get married? I sure dream of it!
The Library
Finally this is for the bookish at heart. Intimate, cozy, and warm – you can fit a wedding ceremony for up to 40 guests or a drinks reception for up to 40 guests. Not to mention, chairs can be brought in to suit your style.
Overall, if you’re not convinced, I think what you need is a nice little trip to Pitlochry UK in Scotland for a scenic tour of your own. There are lodges and shepherd’s huts to stay in onsite, trails to walk, highland coos to see. And possibly, it could be your dream wedding venue. What’s more, if you’re looking for something more low-key, staying in a lodge and having your intimate wedding at the same space is an option!
Ps. If you missed the link above, click HERE to follow the video tour.
Pps. They found what might be the world’s oldest scotch in their walls. Queen Vic might have even tried it on her visit to Blair Castle in the 1840s.
We would love to help you plan a destination wedding at Blair Castle and experience the magic together. Send us a message to start planning now!
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