Escape to the Scottish countryside for a destination wedding in a spectacular five-star castle. Conveniently located less than an hour from Edinburgh Airport, the castle, its grand rooms and picturesque grounds are at your service for your special stay.
If you’re planning a multi-day wedding, the castle can be booked exclusively for you and your guests to enjoy at your leisure. We’ll create an itinerary bespoke to you – perhaps you’d like to enjoy a relaxed soiree the day before the ceremony and try your hand at some Highland Games the day after. If you’d like to venture off-site, the beautiful town of Lauder is but a stone’s throw away and the team can arrange a tour of the Scottish Borders for you.
You’ll reside in the castle’s luxury accommodation, which can sleep up to 16 people in five suites and you’ll have access to the State Rooms for your entire stay. Your guests could also stay in our luxury Woodland Lodges on the castle estate which can sleep an additional 20 people. During your celebration, you can move between locations, perhaps choosing to say your vows in the Rose Garden, before moving to the Vaulted Cellars and Cobbled Courtyard to dance the night away.
If you’re visiting from a far away land, our dedicated team can help you organise all the elements of planning a destination wedding and they are always happy to answer any questions and discuss your wedding aspirations in detail. They can also arrange a showaround of the castle, either in-person or virtually. You can contact the team on our contact page.
Q1. How many guests can you accommodate in the day and the evening?
A1. We have a range of spaces that can accommodate anything from two people to 1000+ people. Inside the building the maximum number of guests that we can seat for a ceremony is 100. We can serve 150 for dinner but this must be split over the two state rooms. We will suggest the best spaces for you based on your desired numbers.
Q2. How long can I provisionally hold a date for?
A2. We can hold a date provisionally for a period of 7 days.
Q3. Is the Castle licensed for Civil Ceremonies?
A3. Yes, we are licensed for all types of ceremonies.
Q4. What are your payment terms
A4. There is a non-refundable deposit of 20% of the venue hire upon confirmation of your reservation. A further 60% is due 9 months prior to the wedding and the final 20% is due 8 weeks before the wedding. All deposits are non-refundable. An additional refundable damage deposit of £500 is required 8 weeks prior to the event date.
Q5. What is the earliest we arrive?
A5. Your package will state your check in and check out times. This can be from 12 noon to 4pm and will be agreed during your booking.
Q6. What accommodation do you have available?
A6. The castle has five luxury apartments (8 bedrooms) which sleeps a total of 16 people. We also have our Sustainable Woodland Lodges within the grounds of the castle that can sleep up to 20 people. There is also other accommodation nearby which we can provide you a list of to help your planning process.
Q7. Will we have access to a wedding co-ordinator?
A7. Yes, the venue hire includes a member of staff on the day and in the lead up to your wedding, however please note that this is not a full wedding planning service. We can recommend wedding planners suited to your requirements so please let us know.
Q8. Are catering and other suppliers included?
A8. No. Upon booking we will provide you with our ‘Recommended Supplier List’ which contains lists of vetted suppliers that have worked with the castle before. You can select who you would like to work with and have individual contracts with each of them. We work with you and the supplier on logistics.
Q9. Do you allow Marquees and Stretch Tents?
A9. Yes, we have recommended suppliers for marquees and stretch tents. These can be pitched in the Rose Garden, Front Lawn, Cobbled Courtyard or Terrace area. Some packages do include the cost of the Courtyard Marquee, however Lawn Marquees and Stretch Tents are an additional fee.
Q10. Is there a curfew?
A10. Evening celebrations are to end at 12.00 midnight with carriages at 00.15am. Guests are advised to pre-arrange taxi hire. All live music must stop at 23:45.
Q11. Can we have live music at the Castle?
A.11 You can of course dance the night away in our Courtyard or in a garden marquee. We also permit live musicians inside the Castle but evening dances cannot be held within the state rooms of the castle.
Q12. Do you allow confetti?
A12. Yes, we allow bio-degradable confetti such as flower petals however this is outside only.
Q13. Can we take photos anywhere in the castle?
A13. Photography can only be taken in rooms included in your package, however photography in rooms not included in the venue hire can be arranged, and you’re welcome to use our grounds.
Q14. Is there parking at the castle?
A14. Yes. We have a car park close to the castle entrance for guests staying in the accommodation. If non-accommodation guests wish to park at the castle we have a separate car park on the castle drive.
Q15. Is there a Corkage fee?
A15. Our corkage charge is a flat rate of £750, unless the storage and service of this alcohol is managed by your caterers in which case there is no charge to from the castle.
Q16. Are dogs welcome?
A16. Yes, we love dogs here at Thirlestane. We provide dog bowls and biscuits in all our suites.
Explore the spaces
The Finishing Touches
Castle Accommodation
Hire the whole castle for your nearest and dearest (up to 16 guests), or you can book one of our romantic apartments for just the two of you. Woodland Lodges available for extra guests.
Award-Winning Suppliers
We work with caterers, photographers, stylists and wedding planners, and can reccommend the very best in the business.
Activities & Experiences
Keep your guests entertained with exciting experiences, including a welcome soiree, brunch, tours of Edinburgh, highland games and whisky tasting.
