Some of the best wedding venues in Scotland lie in the Lothians & Borders, just outside Edinburgh. As a local wedding photographer, these luxury venues are a real treat to work at and offer some of the most unique locations for wedding portraits. Getting married in a Scottish Castle or having your ceremony outdoors in a beautiful country estate is the dream for many engaged couples and Lothian & Borders offers so many stunning venues with gorgeous views. Here are just some of my favourite castles & estates to get married at.

Dundas Castle

One of the most popular Scottish castle wedding venues in Scotland, Dundas Castle is truly something special. With its huge estate, there's so many gorgeous locations for your couples portraits - plus a beautiful open space indoors for your drinks reception, with natural lighting for candids. If you're marring in the Auld Keep, it's got a beautiful medieval charm to it - and you'll also have access to the tower's roof for some of the best views over the Firth of Forth. The staff at Dundas are exceptional, and it's one of those venues that allows you to feel completely at home - with multiple suites in the castle itself, as well as a billiards room and lodgings by the loch.

Take a look at Rachel & David's Real Scottish Wedding at Dundas

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Carlowrie Castle

Carlowrie is one of the most famous castle wedding venues - you'll have seen the beauiful turrent on many a Tie the Knot cover, and its even featured on TV multiple times. It's absolutely stunning - with a beautiful walled garden, light & modern interiors and beautiful aesthetics throughout. The front steps are perfect for confetti, and there's a cute swing for romantic couples portraits just across the driveway - which is also epic in itself. The pavillion is very bright and is a perfect blank canvas for your ceremony & wedding breakfast styling. There's a cottage on site too, as well as bridal suite just upstairs. You may also be lucky enough to see some Highland coos!

Cornhill Castle

Often cited as the perfect venue between Glasgow & Edinburgh, Cornhill Castle is located just outside Biggar in the Scottish Borders. Its unique turret features the Balmoral Suite, with epic champagne tower and gorgeous interiors. The pavillion is ideal for ceremonies - with bright lighting and canvas to customise to your heart's content. There are lodges for guests to stay in, as well as plenty of rooms in the castle itself. The staircase is a must for photographs, and there are beautiful views of the rollings hills and rippling river nearby.

See Emma & Austin's Real Scottish Wedding at Cornhill Castle

Newhall Estate

Weddings at Newhall Estate are absolutely gorgeous - with multiple areas for your ceremony to take place in, you could choose a bright & airy indoor feel in the Sunroom in the main house, or a rustic vibe for the Granary or choose an outdoor ceremony in the walled garden. Nestled just outside of Edinburgh, Newhall is a beautiful place to be married - with onsite accommodation for guests an added bonus. The walled garden itself is stunning for photographs, as is the pond area and the courtyard for drinks receptions. The coachhouse is ideal for open plan dining for your wedding breakfast too.

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Arniston House

One of my ultimate favourite wedding venues in Scotland, Arniston House takes it to the next level. The Orangery is simply impressive - with its rustic, exposed brickwork, high ceilings and tall windows allowing light to stream in. There's so much greenery at Arniston House as well, with the nearby fields & woods ideal for romantic wedding portraits, and space for large marquees in the field opposite The Orangery. There's on site accommodation too, and so many beautiful spots next to the house. It's perfect for relaxed weddings, enjoyed best under the brilliant summer sunlight.

See Ann & Jamie's Real Scottish Wedding at Arniston House

Harburn Barn

With barn weddings ever popular, Harburn Barn has to be one of my favourites. It's got a cosy, intimate feel about it - and perfect for DIY weddings to make the place truly your own. It's perfect for small to medium sized weddings, with the courtyard being a perfect place for relaxed wedding receptions & drinks. This place is a complete blank canvas, so you can bring in your own catering too. There are also firepits and fairy lights for cosy Autumn weddings, and on site accommodation makes it ideal for both partners to get ready at the venue.

Take a look at Clio & Ross's Real Scottish Wedding at Harburn Barn

Broxmouth Courtyard

A stunningly rustic courtyard just outside of Dunbar in East Lothian, Broxmouth Courtyard is something to behold. It's been recently renovated, and it's simply beautiful. The courtyard itself is cobbled, ideal for outdoor drinks receptions in the summer. The on-site accommodation brings a unique family charm to the place, and the ceremony space is bright, open and airy - as well as a blank canvas for DIY weddings or to bring in your wedding stylist. The lochside is perfect for couples portraits as well sporting views of the local woodlands, the sea is also a stone's throw away.

Take a look at Amy & Keith's Real Scottish Wedding at Broxmouth Courtyard