Photo Credit : Kingsmills Hotel
The Scottish Highlands is a setting straight out of a fairy tale, the ultimate picturesque location for your big day where every moment feels special, making your big day truly extraordinary.
Choosing a venue in the Inverness and Loch Ness area for your wedding promises beautiful unique settings and incredible personal experiences in a land rich with culture, history, and unforgettable natural beauty.
Choosing your wedding venue
Inverness and Loch Ness has an incredible range of exquisite venues from grand historic castles, stylish hotels to rustic farms. There will be a venue that resonates with your aesthetic and theme that can accommodate your wedding party requirements.
Historic and Exclusive Use Venues
Photo Credit : Drumossie Hotel
If you are looking for a venue that will be exclusively for you, there is a great choice available.
Achnagairn Castle - Set in a glorious 30 acre estate with gorgeous views and stunning grounds in Kirkhill, just 15 minutes from Inverness. Achnagairn is a 5 star exclusive use venue with a centrepiece ballroom giving you the most incredible setting for your ceremony and wedding dance.
Bogbain Farm - A unique 18th century farm with huge rustic charm, Bogbain is an incredibly versatile venue with a barn that sparkles with fairylights for your ceremony or evening ceilidh. A perfect for an unforgettable Highland wedding!
Bunchrew House Hotel - A fairy tale castle hotel on the shores of the Beauly firth exclusively for you and your magical wedding day. This traditional hotel has mature gardens and a beautifully classic Scottish presence.
Culloden House Hotel - From 2 people to 70, Culloden House Hotel is an impressive grade A listed mansion house that provides a personal service with every attention to detail seen to for your big day.
Loch Ness Country House Hotel -A beautiful Georgian building set within 6 acres of landscaped gardens, they have eleven luxurious bedrooms as well as two cosy cottages for all your guests.
Polmaily House - In a stunning rural setting not far from the shores of Loch Ness, Polmaily House offer one of a kind weddings in their exclusive use Georgian house.
Coul House Hotel - A classic country house hotel located in Contin (just 20 minutes north of Inverness) at the edge of the Scottish wilderness. With acres of grounds beautifully maintained, herbaceous borders, mature trees and unique architecture.
Hotel Venues
Photo Credit : Loch Ness Country House Hotel
Kingsmills Hotel - The elegant Kingsmills hotel offers everything you need for your Highland wedding and more! A very versatile space capable of hosting large wedding parties.... and they know how to throw a great celebration!
Drumossie Hotel - A beautiful art deco style building surrounded by rolling lawns and gardens, the Drumossie hotel can cater for wedding parties for up to 300 people. This does not take away from the personal service and attention to detail for your special day.
Photo Credit : Highland Escape
Ness Walk - The perfect 5* venue for a stunning intimate wedding celebration on the banks of the River Ness. Luxury and attention to detail all the way for up to 60 guests.
Glenmoriston Town House - This riverside boutique townhouse hotel offers exquisite private ceremony and reception rooms, gorgeous bedrooms, heavenly dining and your own dedicated wedding organiser. Like the other city based hotels it is close the Cathedral, churches and registry office if you wish to hold your ceremony elsewhere.
Glen Mhor Hotel - Bespoke Highland Wedding packages thoughtfully tailored to meet your unique needs located in the city centre of Inverness with a picturesque riverside setting.
Loch ness Venues
There are some venues above that are located in the Loch Ness surrounding areas and here are a few more situated close to the shores of our magical waters.
Highland Escape - An incredibly unique venue located virtually on top of the shores of Loch Ness (50 meters) with the loch as your backdrop. Your wedding can be held in their very own private church at the property that holds a congregation of 110 people.
The Lovat- It is as they describe, a wildly romantic setting in the heart of the Highlands, located in Fort Augustus, The Lovat boasts a picturesque background setting that is so special for such an occasion.
Inch Hotel - A country house hotel offering exclusive use with breath taking Loch Ness views, this location gives an incredibly special, intimate feel for an unforgettable occasion.
Top Tips for Planning a Wedding in the Scottish Highlands
Photo Credit : Achnagairn Castle
Now that we have helped with some suggestions for the perfect venue for your special day lets look at some useful tips to help plan the rest of your magical event.
Local Vendors
Support local culture, businesses and craftsmanship by hiring local vendors. From florists who use native blooms to chefs specialising in Scottish cuisine, local businesses will help bring authentic Highland charm to your wedding. Your venue or planner will help you select some that will match your needs.
Weather Considerations
Some venues offer outdoor ceremonies, so always have a plan B for weather. Even in summer, the Highlands can be misty and cool, the venues will provide you with advise to ensure your guests are comfortable with cosy additions like pashminas and blankets or outdoor heaters.
Photo Credit : Bunchrew House Hotel
Incorporate Scottish Traditions
Make your wedding memorable by including Scottish traditions like a ceilidh for your evening dance, having a bagpiper, or even incorporating tartan into your theme or attire.
Guest Experience
Many of your guests might travel long distances. Enhance their experience by providing welcome bags with local goodies, a list of things to do in the region, and transport options if your venue is remote. The venue will assist with local suppliers that can add really special touches to make your day memorable for your guests as well as for you.
Do you want to provide a novel activity or experience for your wedding guests, how about a fun mini Highland Games? In your element offer these events and can travel to your venue to provide some memory making moments that will add to your big day.
Photo Credit: Bogbain
We understand there is so much more to planning a wedding and you will find a wealth of information on our site to assist with the planning of your big day.
Travel and Transport
Find all the direct routes to travel to Inverness and how to get about once you are here on our travel and transport page
Guest Accommodation and venues
Our above suggestion of venues is just the start of what is available in the destination, you will also want to find or provide accommodation suggestions for your wedding guests. Our Accommodation Map provides a fantastic interactive tool to plan ideas an there is a range of accommodation to suit all needs and budgets.
Things to see and do
Whilst you are in pre-wedding preparations, your guests may have more free time to discover Inverness and Loch Ness, you may also want to provide a group activity on your wedding day, there is an incredible amount of fantastic ideas of activities and experiences available. Take a look at the Things To Do Map and pages for huge amounts of inspiration!
Remember, planning a wedding, especially in a location as captivating as the Scottish Highlands, is about creating memories that will last a lifetime. Stay true to what you and your partner envision for your day, and the magic of the Highlands will do the rest. Happy planning!