Hopetoun House: 10 Reasons To Choose This Scottish Wedding Venue

There are some wonderful wedding venues in Scotland, and Hopetoun House is certainly amongst the elite.

Considered by some to be Scotlands finest stately home, you can now host both your ceremony and reception inside this 18th century palace.

In addition to the Adam Stables which can seat 160 people for your nuptials, there’s also the Adam Ballroom which can accommodate 160 guests for dinner and dancing.

And you get all of this less than a 30 minute drive from Edinburgh.

Let’s take a closer look at what a Hopetoun House wedding would be like.

Hopetoun House Location

If you are looking for wedding venues in West Lothian, and your budget is reasonably large, then Hopetoun House is certainly worth considering.

Edinburgh is a very convenient 12 miles away, with a journey time of less than 30 minutes.

Ideal if you live in Scotlands capital.

And when you arrive at the palace, you will find ample onsite parking for you and your guests.

If you are planning to use large coaches to transport people around, there is a restricted height entrance; however single decker buses won’t have any problems.

Hopetoun House Setting

Hopetoun House is nestled in 150 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, right on the edge of the Firth of Forth.

The atmosphere is very relaxed and romantic, with the palace architecture creating a real sense of occasion.

It’s actually hard to imagine a place of such outstanding natural beauty, being so close to a capital city.

This is not an exclusive use wedding venue in the traditional sense, with the house and grounds open to the public at certain times of year.

However you will be given complete privacy in the specific rooms you choose to hire.

Hopetoun House

The land which Hopetoun House occupies has been home to the Hope family since the 17th century.

However it wasn’t until the 18th century that construction started on the palace you see today.

Designed by William Bruce and extended by William Adam, it is one of the finest examples of 18th century architecture in Britain.

The elegant Georgian interiors have remained virtually unaltered, and they showcase the best period furniture, paintings, and tapestries.

And would you believe that the current Lord Hopetoun and his family actually still live here.

The main rooms which you can make use of are the: Ballroom; Tapestry Room; Carriage Room; Adam Stables; and some of the palace reception rooms.

They are all grand, dramatic, and usefully versatile.

Hopetoun House Accommodation

Sadly you cannot stay the night at Hopetoun House, however the estate does have 2 four star holiday properties:

• Thatched Cottage, 1 bedroom, sleeps 2.
• Parkhead House, 2 bedroom, sleeps 4.

Both properties offer the highest standard of finish and furnishings, and include a full Scottish breakfast.

Perhaps the Thatched Cottage could be a nice little romantic hideaway for the newly weds.

If you require further accommodation on a larger scale, the stylish and award winning Dakota Hotel is only 10 minutes away.

Hopetoun House Ceremony

Hopetoun House is licensed for religious, civil, and humanist ceremonies.

The most popular location is the Adam Stables, with its capacity for up to 160 seated guests.

It’s a lovely space with large Georgian windows flooding the room with natural light.

And wrought iron lanterns with candle sconces adding to the atmosphere.

The bride enters from a secluded courtyard beneath a clock tower, which really adds to the drama.

If you would prefer a more intimate setting, one of the state apartments such as the fantastic Tapestry Room can be used.

It has a capacity for up to 60 guests.

Hopetoun House Reception

For your wedding reception the Adam Ballroom, with its capacity for 160 seated guests, is absolutely perfect.

This room is bright and spacious, with magnificent chandeliers and priceless tapestries.

It also adjoins the fabulous Tapestry Room, which will serve as a bar after the speeches.

When your wedding breakfast is complete, the tables can be pushed back and a dance floor created for your first dance.

It’s an excellent room for a ceilidh.

Again if you are looking for a more intimate space, one of the state apartments such as the spectacular Red Drawing Room can be used.

It can seat up to 50 guests.

Hopetoun House Catering

The catering at Hopetoun House is outsourced to Heritage Portfolio.

This is a partnership which has lasted for over fourteen years.

Heritage Portfolio are renowned for their ability to create delicious dishes, using flair and imagination.

And their service is both professional and unobtrusive.

You will be given the chance to meet the chefs, and they will custom build a specific menu using fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

All tastes and budgets can be catered for, and bar facilities can be provided too.

Hopetoun House Grounds

The gardens and grounds at Hopetoun House extend to 150 acres, with the wider estate an enormous 6,500 acres.

There are beautiful nature trails and scenic walks for you to explore, and outdoor activities can be arranged such as clay pigeon shooting.

The round pond is a lovely feature, and the Spring Garden is most certainly worth a visit.

Perhaps more relevant to your wedding day, is the potential for fantastic photos.

There are a number of pretty secluded spots with wonderful backdrops, which you and your photographer can explore.

And if the weather turns, the state apartments can act as a fantastic indoor alternative.

Hopetoun House Unique Feature

I have actually been lucky enough to experience a fireworks display at Hopetoun House; and it was absolutely spectacular.

It wasn’t for a wedding, it was for a corporate event, but what an incredible way to end an evening.

Just imagine you and your guests strolling out into the summers night, with the Forth bridges in the background, to watch the sky lit up by a mesmerising fireworks display.

Not all wedding venues can do this due to the noise, but the estates size makes it possible.

Hopetoun House Wedding Prices

For accurate Hopetoun House 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 Hopetoun House wedding cost:

• Adam Stables (ceremony), price £2,400.
• Adam Ballroom (reception), price £5,700.
• Wedding Breakfast, prices from £102 per person (includes canapes).
• Drinks Selection, prices from £30 per person.

The prices above are for a summer weekend.

Winter and midweek weddings could cost 25% less.

Hopetoun House Conclusion

So those are my 10 reasons you should consider Hopetoun House as your wedding venue.

Of course everybody has different tastes and opinions.

However if you are looking for an 18th century palace, surrounded by beautiful Scottish countryside, with wonderful ceremony and reception spaces, and fabulous catering; then Hopetoun House 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 Hopetoun House’s website here.

Good luck with your wedding planning.