Winton House: 10 Reasons To Choose This Scottish Wedding Venue

Winton House, or Winton Castle as it’s sometimes known, is one of the most historic wedding venues in Scotland.

Henry VIII actually burnt it to the ground in the 16th century, but fortunately the castle was rebuilt bigger and better.

Set in a quiet and secluded location, there’s accommodation for up to 16 guests and a series of interconnecting reception rooms for entertaining.

The lovely grounds also provide great opportunities for outdoor ceremonies.

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

Winton House Location

There seems to be a concentration of beautiful wedding venues in East Lothian.

It is a beautiful part of Scotland, and Winton House is a real hidden gem.

Edinburgh is less than 15 miles away, with a journey time of roughly 30 minutes.

As a result, transporting guests from Scotlands capital will be quick and easy.

And once you arrive you will find plenty of onsite parking right next to the castle.

If you are planning to make use of large coaches, the main entrance does have a height restriction.

There is however a rear entrance which can accommodate big vehicles.

Winton House Setting

Winton House is an exclusive use wedding venue.

This means you and your guests will get the entire castle and grounds all to yourself.

Perhaps not essential to everyone, however I think privacy on your wedding day is really important.

In terms of setting, the expansive gardens create an atmosphere of tranquility which is ideal for this type of celebration.

The trees give you a sense of seclusion, and the loch is a lovely feature to sit beside and relax.

Your guests are going to love this place.

Winton House

Winton Castle was originally built by the Seton family in 1480.

But was destroyed by Henry VIII during his attempts to impress Mary Queen of Scots.

It was rebuilt in the Italian inspired style of the Scottish Renaissance, and now blends castle, palace, and family home.

Sir Francis and Lady Ogilvy are the current owners.

When you arrive you will find a building which is both grand and welcoming.

Scottish history is to be found everywhere, with a stunning collection of art and antiques to be enjoyed.

Be sure to look up at the ornate plaster ceilings, which are possibly the most elaborate in Scotland.

In terms of practicality there are six interconnecting reception rooms, providing a lot of versatility for both your ceremony and reception.

Winton House Accommodation

There are 8 marvellous bedrooms at Winton House, which can sleep up to 16 people comfortably.

Five of the bedrooms are on the first floor, with the remaining three bedrooms on the second floor.

One in particular is ideal for the Bridal Suite, as it’s nice and spacious with a luxury bathroom.

If further accommodation is required, there are 2 self catering cottages on the estate.

Wintonhill Farmhouse which sleeps 12, and Winton Cottage which sleeps 14.

Both are within 10 minutes walk of the castle.

Winton House Ceremony

Winton House is licensed for religious, civil, and humanist ceremonies both inside the castle and outside in the grounds.

The Georgian Dining Room is a popular indoor choice, with its pink walls, wooden floors, and large windows overlooking the gardens.

This room has a capacity for 80 guests.

Alternatively you could use the Drawing Room, with its incredible plasterwork and large open fireplace.

This room has a capacity for 100 guests.

If you still require more space, then a marquee in the grounds is probably your best option.

There is also three wonderful outdoor locations for ceremonies, if you like the idea of getting married alfresco.

Given how picturesque the gardens are, this could be a lovely choice providing the sun is shining.

Winton House Reception

For smaller dinner receptions of up to 84 guests, the Georgian Dining Room can be used.

Alternatively you can seat up to 130 guests in Winton House, however they would be spread across multiple rooms.

The better option is to put up a Marquee on the croquet lawn.

This beautiful spot right next to the castle has great views south over the gardens and loch.

And will provide you with all the space you need.

Assuming the weather is nice, you could also have your drinks reception outside on the front lawn.

Winton House Catering

The catering is handled internally at Winton House, by the excellent in house chef.

Menus can be created using locally sourced produce to suit any style and theme.

Whether you are interested in a BBQ, a buffet, or full silver service, they can create the atmosphere you desire.

You even get a complimentary tasting session, to help you select the cuisine and the wine.

A full bar can be setup in either the house or the marquee, with a selection of beers, spirits, and liqueurs available.

Winton House Grounds

Amongst the beautiful grounds a Winton House is the lovely walled garden.

It’s a great place for your all important wedding photos, with manicured lawns and pretty flowers providing the ideal backdrops.

The fairytale 17th century tower is also a great spot to snap a few shots.

Your guests will be able to play croquet on the flat lawns, or take a stroll down to Sir David’s Loch.

For the more adventurous there are 12 miles of walking trails to explore, ranging from the simple to the difficult.

Winton House Unique Feature

You can do more than just get married at Winton House.

In fact this is a great place for outdoor activities, with a range of things to entertain and challenge.

How about some archery, clay pigeon shooting, or falconry?

Or perhaps 4×4 driving, hovercraft racing, or a tour of the estate on Segways.

You can even have stag/hen parties here.

Winton House Wedding Prices

For accurate Winton 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 Winton House wedding cost:

• Exclusive use of Winton House (sleeps 16), price £6,750.

The prices above are for a summer weekend.

Winter and midweek weddings could cost 30% less.

Winton House Conclusion

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

Of course everybody has different tastes and opinions.

However if you are looking for an exclusive use Scottish castle, surrounded by beautiful grounds, with accommodation for 16 people, and stunning reception rooms to host your celebrations; then Winton 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 Winton House’s website here.

Good luck with your wedding planning.