Achnagairn really captures the imagination. From the moment you walk in, you get a strong sense of the castle’s character, but at the same time, Achnagairn offers you a blank canvas to create your own vision.
When it comes to weddings, Achnagairn has a few core principles to make it utterly extraordinary:
Total flexibility:
It’s your wedding. It should be exactly as you’d like it. Whether perfectly intimate or gloriously decadent, it’s up to you. A lot of venues say that they do things differently, but we really do try to – it’s in our ethos and we try to live and breathe this in every wedding we host. At Achnagairn, that ethos is “Escape the ordinary”, and we want every couple to be able to leave feeling they have had a truly extraordinary experience with us!
Something so special shouldn’t be over in a flash:
All weddings at Achnagairn last two nights or more, to give you the time to really drink it all in.
On the first evening, consider a relaxed meal in the castle, or food trucks in the grounds… Having this extra night gives everyone time to meet and mingle, and then allows the next day to be fully focused on the wedding.
On the day of the wedding itself, everyone can get ready in beautiful bedrooms, and enjoy a Full Scottish Breakfast in the castle’s dining room. The bride herself will have use of our bridal suite – a palatial room with a triple aspect view and whirlpool bath in the centre (perfect for photo), where you can prepare with your bridal party, even if there are lots of you! The groom certainly won’t be hard done by, with his pick of the other glorious bedrooms.
For the ceremony itself, this can either be held in Achnagairn’s ballroom – church-like with its vaulted wooden ceiling – or in the landscaped gardens (weather-depending!), or alternatively there are some lovely churches nearby. The ballroom can seat up to around 180 people for the ceremony.
We always say that the ballroom ‘works hard’ on a wedding day. It is a glorious spot for the ceremony, but then while you are enjoying drinks and canapés, it is transformed into a beautiful space for your wedding meal, and then a perfect dance-floor to reel the night away! Because the castle is all yours for your stay, there is need to stop the dancing at midnight. Keep going for as long as you like as everyone rolls to bed when it suits them.
Like with the overall feel of the wedding, everything about the day itself can be tailored to you. If you would like the ceremony outside, you should have it! Espresso Martini hour? Absolutely. We would discuss all these details for you.
Space for everyone:
Whilst Scotland is blessed with many castles, most are dank and lacking luxury accommodation for larger groups (most have say 6-8 bedrooms). Equally there are Scottish venues with as many bedrooms as Achnagairn, but they tend to lack history or character.
To have both is fabulous as we can put up virtually everyone who comes to the wedding (up to 138 people) without compromising on comfort or the elegance and ambience that only history can provide. We have 24 luxury bedrooms in the castle, and a further 37 rooms on the estate (in our ‘Mini Manors’). Every bedroom, wherever it is, is utterly unique. Each has its own name and theme, and there is something for everyone, making it a lot of fun for the couple choosing who-goes-where. Who for instance should have the round room in a turret, with a round bed and bath? Who should go in ‘Victoriana’, with its original Victorian bathroom?
Our Mini Manors are just 200 metres from the castle. These are five and six bedroom properties, a smaller 4 bedroom apartment and a one bedroom cottage – slightly too big to be ‘lodges’ and not quite big enough to be ‘manors’! You (or your guests) can hire all of these or just a few. Having all your guests stay on the estate is a total joy, and means there is no need for taxis or early ends to the festivities!
Build in some Scottish traditions:
Wherever you are from, it can be so special to lean into Achnagairn’s Highland heritage. From kilts and ceilidhs, to Highland Games and Hog Roasts, having two days or more allows you the time to build in activities and build memories for all your guests. Highland Games or Laser clay pigeon shooting on the lawns can be a big hit!
A Highland location:
You might not be from the Highlands, or even from Scotland, but a wedding at Achnagairn is unforgettable. The castle is easy to get to from across the UK – just half an hour from Inverness airport, 20 minutes from Loch Ness and near some of the Highland’s greatest jewels – there is plenty to explore!