If you’ve ever dreamed of a wedding set against the backdrop of a grand, historic Scottish castle, Cluny Castle in Aberdeenshire is the kind of venue that will take your breath away. Steeped in centuries of history, this magnificent castle is a true hidden gem, offering exclusivity, elegance, and a sense of romance that feels almost cinematic.
From the moment you arrive, there’s a palpable sense of magic in this very special place. The towering turrets, the rolling Scottish countryside, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere make Cluny Castle an unforgettable setting for a wedding. But beyond its striking beauty, what truly sets Cluny apart is the feeling of intimacy and authenticity it offers. Unlike a museum or a traditional venue, Cluny is still a private, deeply loved, family-owned home – one that wholeheartedly embraces couples and their guests, making them feel part of its long and storied history, making them feel that Cluny truly is their home.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Fiona Jones, the Wedding & Events Manager at Cluny Castle, to find out more about this spectacular venue, what makes it so special, and why it continues to be one of Scotland’s most sought-after wedding locations.
Film by lawson films & main image by ricky baillie photography
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Colin Ian Ross Photography
Cluny Castle is steeped in history and grandeur and history – tell us more…
The fact that Cluny is still very much a loved and lived-in family home. It has been in the same family since it was built in the 1600’s and this is something that we really embrace. People just love the fact that it’s not a museum and in fact the owner is very often part of the team on a wedding day which guests love.
As Cluny Castle is a family home, we extend that warmth and care to every couple who celebrate with us.
Ricky Baillie Photography, Renai Photography & Nicola Drummond Photography
When couples arrive at Cluny Castle for the first time, what’s the reaction you see most often, and what do you think it is about the castle that creates such a sense of awe?
Cluny Castle is undeniably an extraordinary setting that inspires an emotional reaction the moment couples see it in person. It’s a magnificent building, imposing yet enchanting but it’s the warm and welcoming atmosphere that people are most drawn to. The Chapel in particular never fails to evoke emotions often bringing people to tears with its sheer beauty and romance.
Our couples are often seek a venue that reflects their taste for timeless elegance and modern sophistication. Cluny Castle embodies this with a seamless blend of historical grandeur, exceptional detail and guaranteed exclusivity.
Film by reel weddings
The chapel and Tenants’ Hall are both incredible spaces – what’s your favourite way you’ve seen these areas transformed for a wedding day?
The Chapel really speaks for itself and is so beautiful in its own right. People often comment that it is in fact so beautiful that it doesn’t need any additional dressing but I can assure you, the most spectacular transformation of this space was with an abundance of fabulous fresh florals creating a sense of drama and romance that cannot be matched.
Not only did it to elevate the Chapel to another level, the smell was just heavenly making it the most beautiful setting for the most magical wedding ceremony.
Sophie Alexandria Photography
Food is such a big part of a wedding – how do you help couples create a dining experience that’s unforgettable, and are there any distinctly Scottish touches they could include?
From multi-course banquets under an elegant sailcloth tent, candlelit suppers in the Tenants Hall, or late-night pizzas served under the stars, there are endless possibilities for our couples to delight their guests.
We have handpicked a selection of exceptional caterers that our couples can choose from to work with meaning, they have that flexibility and freedom of choice over one of the biggest and most important components of any wedding day.
Nicola Drummond Photography
Our caterers will craft dishes using the finest seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring every menu reflects their personal style.
Whether thats indulging in a hearty hog roast, an almost-too-pretty-to-eat sharing platter, or a traditional Scottish feast; every bite will be delicious – guaranteed. With flawless service and a passion for delivering culinary experiences, our caterers will help to create a warm and convivial gathering of a lifetime!
Nicola Drummond Photography
Planning from a distance can feel daunting. How do you make the process seamless for couples who are organising their Cluny Castle wedding from afar?
Whilst we host a lot of ‘local’ weddings at Cluny Castle, it is also very much a destination wedding venue. We often find with a lot of our couples, whilst they maybe have a connection to Scotland or to the local area in terms of their upbringing or family roots, they now live further afield either in London or overseas but dream of that idyllic Scottish castle fairytale wedding.
Cluny Castle of course ticks all of these boxes and more.
WN Films
As a result, are very well versed in planning weddings with couples who are not on our doorstep and it is never a barrier. With wonderful technology we can arrange calls with our couples and show them the castle as if they were there in person and this sometimes makes the planning all the more exciting.
When they do manage to visit in person and experience the magic of Cluny for themselves, that really is a very special moment for us. We have a really lovely balance of local and beautiful destination weddings and our couples are all amazing, we are very lucky.
Ricky Baillie Photography
Cluny Castle is so versatile, hosting everything from intimate celebrations to grand events – tell us more…
Although a vast castle, we are very lucky in that we can host very small intimate weddings from 2 – 28 right up to the larger weddings of 300 + guests so we are a very flexible venue in that respect. We have recently had some truly magical marquee weddings which have been some of our most spectacular.
We do love a marquee wedding because they really are a wonderful blank canvas allowing couples to really put their own style and imagination into their wedding and create something truly unforgettable and unique to them. Seeing the marquee then come to life with their vision is so exciting, it’s just wonderful.
Olive & Thistle Films
We do however also really love the smaller, more intimate weddings and elopements. They are full of so much love and are just so meaningful. Not that larger weddings aren’t of course, but smaller weddings feel much more personal and intimate, giving you quality time to spend with your guests. It’s all about the marriage and the true meaning of the day which I love the most.
We had a wedding recently with just 30 guests who all flew over from Texas and spent 3 incredible days at the castle. They were so in awe of the history, the grandeur and the magic of staying in a true Scottish castle, it really was the experience of a lifetime for them all.
Scottish traditions are such a highlight for many couples marrying here. What are some unique or fun ways they’ve brought those traditions into their day?
There are usually a couple of lovely Scottish traditions that are incorporated into a lot of our wedding ceremonies at Cluny. The first would have to be ’Handfasting’ which is an ancient Celtic marriage ritual and is thought to be where the expression ‘tying the knot’ came from.
Historically, handfasting signified a couple’s intent to marry and their commitment to one another; later it even became legally binding. Nowadays though, handfasting is a ceremonial demonstration of your union in marriage. By wrapping cord, ribbon or cloth around your hands, the knots created symbolise the binding of your union.
Sam Brill Photography
There is also the ‘Quaich Ceremony’ which is another lovely ancient Scottish tradition. The Quaich is a two handled loving cup, that seals the bond of two people and marks the blending of two families. It symbolises the love and trust implied by the bond, as the new couple shares the first drink of the marriage together.
The most obvious tradition would have to be to the piper. This is a particularly popular tradition as most couples will have a piper at their wedding.
Once the piper has played the bride and groom into dinner and up to the top table, the bride will offer them a dram, to which the piper will then perform a toast to the newlyweds. The groom will then toast the piper before they pipe their way out of the room.
Lastly, you could not have a true Scottish wedding without having a ‘Ceilidh’, by far the most fun and entertaining of Scottish wedding traditions. It’s a guaranteed way to get everyone up on to the dance floor and the most wonderful thing about a ceilidh is, even if you have no clue at all about what you’re supposed to be doing, that’s all part of the FUN!
Dani Rose Photography
What do couples tell you after their wedding about what made Cluny Castle such an unforgettable place to hold their wedding?
We absolutely love going that extra mile for our couples and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service to everyone who visits Cluny Castle. In fact, our couples and families always comment on how relaxed and welcome they feel when they are at the Cluny and I think our countless 5* reviews reflect this perfectly.
We have the great privilege of planning and delivering some of the most incredible weddings for the most wonderful couples, we really are so very lucky!
Cluny Castle really is a very special venue to us all and we want to share a genuine and credible reflection of our connection to this very special place.
Willow & Wilde
If you could describe the experience of hosting a wedding at Cluny Castle in just three words, what would they be, and why?
Three words, that’s tough! BEAUTIFUL, because what wedding isn’t beautiful! MAGICAL, because everything about Cluny is undeniably magical! EXCLUSIVE because we offer a rare and coveted opportunity to celebrate in one of Scotland’s most sought-after venues.
Hosting only a select number of weddings each year, Cluny offers a level of exclusivity that few venues can match. With absolute privacy, a highly personalised approach, and a team devoted to crafting once-in-a-lifetime celebrations, this is a place where love stories echo throughout its storied walls, becoming part of its rich legacy.
Every wedding here is as extraordinary as it is deeply personal—a privilege reserved for a limited few.
Why do you think Cluny Castle has such a lasting impact on the couples who marry here?
That Cluny magic!
While luxury and elegance come naturally here, it’s the warmth of our hospitality and the love poured into every detail that sets Cluny apart – a place where couples, families, and guests can gather, celebrate, and feel truly at home.
Ricky Baillie Photography
