Castles & Stately Homes

Room with a View

Guest editor, Amber Bell, is pretty taken by some of the venues on offer in Grampian.

The final icing on the proverbial “big day cake” is the venue; it’s the glue that holds the whole thing together. Need inspiration? Consider these wedding-worthy hot spots—they all come with a view!

Tucked away in a charming wooded glen, the 19^th century Drumtochty Castle is a virtual everything-in-one venue. There’s pre-wedding activities—like clay pigeon shooting or private fishing—and spa services, thanks to the newly opened Drumtochty Beauty salon. The castle offers elegant reception rooms, grounds and a scenic loch for tying the knot. (The St. Palladius church is close for a traditional ceremony option.) Brides can choose Champagne on the lawn or in the reception room then move to the main ballroom, which holds 120 guests. Wedding coordinators at Drumtochty can grant many a request, like a horse-drawn carriage or overnight accommodation in the castle’s stately 22 rooms. Spring or winter, any season is a good one for weddings at Drumtochty, says general manager Ewan Kirkpatrick, who helped a bride achieve her dream wedding on Hogmanay last year. “It was amazing,” he says.

The Milton Restaurant, snug on the banks of the River Dee, is a delicious option for food-savvy couples. While the conservatory holds 45 guests, the Milton’s on-site marquee can accommodate 300 people—and with lush countryside. “The marquee is set right next to the river, so it provides a beautiful natural setting for photographs,” says Milton events organiser Jan Leatham. Brides can swoop in via helicopter or arrive in the restored steam train at the Royal Deeside Railway Station. But the main attraction is the food, “we are now the proud recipients of an AA Rosette,” says Leatham, adding that the kitchen boasts three award-winning chefs and a prized menu.

The National Trust for Scotland prides itself in a melting pot of historically breathtaking sites, from four battle sites to 16 islands. For brides wishing to keep it local—and off the battlefield—consider Castle Fraser, just 16 miles west of Aberdeen. Its walled castle is ideal for ceremonies or Champagne receptions, and a four-acre field easily accommodates marquees. The grand baronial locale also boasts a Great Hall dating back to the 1400s with vaulting ceilings and a large fireplace. The room is plain but grand, meaning “everything suits the room so nothing looks out of place,” says property manager Tina Low.

At Drum Castle, also a Trust property, outdoor extravaganzas are the big thing thanks to its spectacular Rose Garden and brand new white gazebo. “It’s a fabulous setting,” says function sales manager Sarah Hopkins. “Our head gardener has restored each quarter of the Rose Garden to represent a different century.” One of the few to have an actual chapel on the premises, the chapel also houses a stunning towerhouse—the oldest property in the Trust’s possession. Hopkins also recommends the first-floor converted library, for a unique ceremony locale. “Spring at Drum is second to none!”

For an outdoor -turned-indoor wonderland ....