Blair Castle: 10 Reasons To Choose This Scottish Wedding Venue

Blair Castle is one of the most romantic castle wedding venues in Scotland.

With over 700 years of history packed within its walls, this is the ideal setting for both opulence and intrigue.

From the lavish Victorian Ballroom to the elegant State Dining Room, the options for your ceremony and reception are limitless.

And although you can’t actually sleep in the castle, the estate has numerous hidden lodges to accommodate you and your guests.

Let’s take a closer look at what a Blair Castle wedding would be like.

Blair Castle Location

Nestled in the heart of Perthshire, Blair Castle has a stunning location on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park.

This is a beautiful part of the country, which makes wedding venues in Perth and Kinross very popular.

Perth is the closest city at 35 miles away, and with a journey time of approximately 45 minutes.

All of the other Scottish cities, with the exception of Aberdeen, can be driven from in 90 minutes or less.

Large coaches are frequent visitors to the castle, so access is very good.

And of course there is plenty of parking for you and your guests.

Blair Castle Setting

On arriving at Blair Castle you will find yourself surrounded by peaceful lochs, meandering rivers, and romantic glens.

This is a very Scottish wedding venue, with a unique air that others struggle to replicate.

The views are spectacular, and every castle window seems to frame something new and interesting.

It is a large estate with a lot going on, so sadly you can’t have it exclusively.

However certain rooms will be reserved solely for you and your guests, and for the most part it will feel private and relaxed.

Blair Castle

Dating back to 1269, Blair Castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl.

Its role in Scottish history is significant, having played host to Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Queen Victoria.

Over the years the building has been upgraded and expanded from a cold medieval tower, to a fine Georgian mansion, and finally to a Baronial castle.

As you can imagine the interiors are opulent and regal, with antiques, arms, and artefacts to be found everywhere.

If you are looking for the wow factor, then look no further.

There are numerous reception rooms which can be used in multiple ways to create the day of your dreams.

From the intimate Library to the grand Victorian Ballroom; there’s so much possibility.

And just wait until you see the gardens.

Blair Castle Accommodation

The Blair Castle Estate has a variety of accommodation for you to choose from.

There are 6 Historic Lodge’s dotted around the grounds, all of which are nice and secluded, self catering, and have stunning views:

• Forest Lodge, 11 bedrooms, sleeps 20.
• Glen Bruar Lodge, 10 bedrooms, sleeps 18.
• Kindrochet Lodge, 8 bedrooms, sleeps 16.
• Old Blair Lodge, 7 bedrooms, sleeps 12.
• Convalloch Lodge, 7 bedrooms, sleeps 12.
• Marble Lodge, 2 bedrooms, sleeps 4.

You will also find 5 Contemporary Woodland Lodges, each with 2/3 bedrooms and sleeping 4/6 people.

They are built in the Scandinavian style, with open plan living spaces flooded with natural light, and are fully equipped for self catering.

If you require further accommodation, there are a number of hotels in the area too.

Blair Castle Ceremony

First of all Blair Castle is licensed for religious, civil, and humanist ceremonies both indoors and outside.

Secondly there are a large number of options, so I will just cover the best ones here.

The Georgian styled State Dining Room, located on the first floor and with a capacity for 140 people, is the most popular choice.

It’s an elegant room with lots of light and stunning views.

Then there’s the Victorian Ballroom, located on the ground floor with a capacity for 400 people.

More commonly used for dinner receptions, this room is absolutely spectacular.

Moving outside you have the Hercules Garden.

This walled enclosure has beautiful landscaped gardens, ponds and plantings.

If the sun is shining, this would be a breathtaking place for your wedding.

Lastly you have the St. Bride’s Kirk, which is a ruin in the grounds dating back to Celtic times.

The ancient walls are still intact, however the roof is gone creating a quirky alternative to a traditional church wedding.

You can fit up to 70 guests in this space.

Blair Castle Reception

The Victorian Ballroom at Blair Castle is one of the most special wedding reception spaces in Scotland.

Originally built in 1876 by David Bryce for the 7th Duke of Atholl, it was created for the purpose of hosting lavish events.

From the vaulted ceilings to the wood panelled walls, the room is both majestic and historic.

Up to 220 people can be seated comfortably, and there’s even a stage for the band.

Adjoining the ballroom and accessed via a secret door, you will find the Banvie Hall.

It has a glass wall frontage offering spectacular views, and is the perfect space for a bar and relaxation area.

For a more intimate setting, you could make use of the State Dining Room.

Up to 50 guests can be seated in this charming space, with the Banvie Hall becoming your dance floor.

Your drinks reception can be had virtually anywhere, however if the weather is nice the Hercules Garden or the privately accessed West Lawn are both great options.

Not that you would need one, but marquees can be put up in the grounds too.

Blair Castle Catering

Prestige Scotland are in charge of the catering at Blair Castle.

They have a wealth of experience in providing food for both intimate dinners and grand banquets.

You can expect the service and quality to be of the highest standards, which is what the castle demands of them.

Custom menus can be created in line with your specific requirements, complementing the theme and style of your day.

Blair Castle Grounds

The Blair Castle Estate is 145,000 acres, with 2,500 acres of actual landscaped grounds.

Most of the gardens were created in the 18th century, at a time when huge resources were poured into outdoor spaces.

The nine acre walled Hercules Garden is especially nice, with its Chinese bridge and trail of sculptures.

Every season will bring you something different, from the greens of Spring and Summer to the golden Autumn and white Winter.

It’s a lovely place to go and explore, with over 40 miles of way marked trails.

When it comes to your wedding photos, picturesque and interesting backdrops can be found everywhere.

Your wedding photographer will be thanking you.

Blair Castle Unique Feature

There is so much more to do at Blair Castle than get married, and if you like the outdoors then this place is going to be a paradise.

You can go trekking through the Highlands on the back of a horse if you wish.

Or if that seems too much, how about the same experience but in the back of a safari Landrover.

Walking and cycling are really popular on the estate, and with so much scenery and wildlife to enjoy it’s not hard to see why.

If you are really adventurous there are numerous country sports too.

These include fishing, grouse shooting and deer stalking.

Could be a nice option to extend your stay, and take advantage of the beautiful Scottish outdoors.

Blair Castle Wedding Prices

For accurate Blair Castle wedding prices, you should contact the venue directly.

Their wedding packages can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

However to give you an approximate Blair Castle wedding cost:

• Victorian Ballroom (includes Banvie Hall), price £4,560.
• State Dining Room (ceremony), price £1,020.
• State Dining Room (ceremony & reception), price £1,920.
• Hercules Gardens (ceremony), price £600.
• St. Brides Kirk (ceremony), price £600.
• Wedding Breakfast, prices from £43.50 per person.
• Woodland Lodge (sleeps 6), price £590 for 3 nights.

The prices above are for a summer weekend.

Winter and midweek weddings could cost less.

Blair Castle Conclusion

So those are my 10 reasons you should consider Blair Castle as your wedding venue.

Of course everybody has different tastes and opinions.

However if you are looking for a romantic Scottish castle, nestled in the picturesque Highlands, with a spectacular Victorian ballroom, and wonderful walled garden; then Blair Castle just might be the place for you.

Whilst you are here, you should take a look at some of the other wedding venues in Scotland, featured on White Rose.

You can also find Blair Castle’s website here.

Good luck with your wedding planning.