We found a true labour of love with a lochside view during a stay in the Perthshire countryside
Row, row, row your boat into married life with a few blissful moments on the waters of Cardney Loch (Photo: Caro Weiss)
When people say they’ve built a business from the ground up, they don’t usually mean it in the literal sense. But when the owner of Cardney Steading Estate, joinery-trained Lewis Cameron, says it, he’s not kidding – and to prove it, he showed me the before, during and after photos on his phone.
From the dining tables lined up in the Cattle Shed, to the Couple’s Cabin (in its entirety) where my good friend Bex and I had the pleasure of staying for the evening, the handiwork and commitment to authentic craftsmanship on display from Lewis and fellow owner Katriona is truly something to admire.
Waterside wedding barn Scotland
But let’s rewind to the very first thing Bex and I admired upon arrival – the view. The estate lies up a winding road that weaves through woodland, so it wasn’t until it was mere metres away I realised we were right next to the water – Cardney Loch. The loch glimmers at the foot of Craig More, and three of the estate’s horses graze nearby.
I’m not a pony gal myself (I’m slightly intimated by their sheer size, and worry they’d be able to sense my trepidation) but if you are, you’ll be stoked to hear that not only is the venue dog-friendly, but the equestrian facilities mean you could bring your own horse with you for your special weekend.
Blue skies and Craig More as the backdrop to your outdoor ceremony? Who wouldn’t say ‘I do’ to that magnificent combo (Photo: Harriet’s Photography)
Once I was finished oohing and aahing at the scenery and the sight of cute little ducklings waddling across the never-ending stretches of perfectly manicured lawn (we’d later discover that maintaining the grass is a task Lewis takes particular pride in), we were warmly welcomed by venue manager Eva Robertson and Lewis himself.
Treated to a full tour of the estate (signature Cardney Steading umbrellas at the ready), we were quickly impressed by the dynamic duo responsible for engineering weddings at this charmingly rustic venue.
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Perthshire barn wedding venue
Still a functional sporting and farming estate, Cardney Steading hosted its first wedding in 2019, less than two years after Lewis and Katriona had the idea of diversifying.
Fully transforming the run-down steading into a first-class wedding venue, the pair continue to dream up ways to develop the estate and keep it moving forward while still embracing the traditional elements of the property.
The large double doors opening into the Old Mill are perfect for making a grand entrance
Showing us the Courtyard, the Old Mill, Double Barrel Bar and Cattle Shed, Lewis and Eva proudly point out all the details that set Cardney Steading apart from other dry-hire barn venues.
A wooden wheat thresher has been brilliantly converted into light fixtures for the Cattle Shed. Feeding troughs have been transformed into bar tables in the Double Barrel Bar. And my personal favourite, a shiny green vintage grain grinder now has a new purpose: funnelling out sweets.
As we ventured down from the Lodge to the lochside clearing (where Bex and I couldn’t help but imagine our own future weddings), we spotted a herd of deer off in the fields, and I saw my first ever white one among them!
As he kindly handed me a pair of binoculars for a closer look, Lewis mentioned that as Cardney is a proper sporting estate, it is possible for couples to stalk and shoot their own venison for the wedding meal.
Now, I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s worth pointing out that such a meal would be highly sustainable with an ultra-low carbon footprint. What’s more, it could also pull double-duty as a literal ‘stag’ do.
Cardney Steading’s Cattle Shed is full of rustic character, all the way down to the dining tables, handcrafted by owner Lewis and embossed with the estate’s signature stag and heart symbol (Photo: Harriet’s Photography)
As we continued to explore, it was increasingly obvious just how much care has been taken to consider what a couple and their guests could possibly need from a stay here.
There’s the nifty tow-along ‘Bogie’ bar to ensure no lochside ceremony guest has a empty glass, for instance. And how handy is a key-pad lockable bridal powder room that’s easily accessible from the reception spaces, where you can store handbags, gifts and shoe swaps?
After the tour, Eva poured us a drink from the new cocktail tap (honestly, every kitchen should have one) and confided how much she loves befriending and bonding with the couples who marry here as she works tirelessly to help them have their dream weekend.
Cardney Steading has two gorgeous clearings for a dreamy outdoor ceremony. Trade lochside for woodland with a short jaunt over the bridge and up a wee path (Photo: Caro Weiss)
So what makes people book Cardney? Well, that varies from couple to couple – it’s filled with so many unique spaces and spots for photos that it’s easy to see how you could fall in love with the place.
Perhaps it’s seeing the dreamy drinks courtyard or imagining the warmth of the firepit tucked behind the Cattle Shed that does it. Either way, once they set foot on the estate, few visitors leave without a date in the diary for their return.
Forever in search of my own The Notebook moment, it’s the sweet little rowing boat that would seal the deal for me. I can’t imagine anyone (except Rachel McAdams) paddling back to shore and saying ‘I don’t know!’ to anything.
You’ll know – you want a wedding at Cardney Steading.
Emma and her pal Bex couldn’t resist giving the Cardney rowing boat a spin
What you need to know about getting married at Cardney Steading
Set across 2,000 acres of beautiful countryside, Cardney Steading has a variety of options for both indoor and outdoor set-ups on your big day.
The cosy and intimate Old Mill can seat 120 guests for a ceremony or 80 dinner guests, while the larger Cattle Shed hosts 250 guests for a ceremony or 160 to 180 dinner guests (at round or banquet tables).
For the weekend accommodation and wedding-day prep, two cottages on the estate provide an ideal base.
Middle Cardney sleeps ten across four bedrooms and a sofa bed, while Craig More features an open-plan modern living space with lots of natural light (ideal for hair, makeup and first looks), sleeping six in three bedrooms.
And of course we can’t forget that special space for the newlyweds’ first evening of married bliss, the Couple’s Cabin – you won’t want to miss that morning view out of the double doors.
Exclusive use of the estate, arrival available from noon the day before and departure by 3pm the day after.
Venue manager Eva will be on hand for pre-wedding meetings, to liaise with suppliers and for on-the-day coordination.
The venue includes a permanent and staffed bar, heating source, PA system, toilet facilities, basic lighting, courtyard furniture, firewood, six oak barrels and on-site taxi transport when needed.
Cardney’s Lodge is the place to gather the day before or after for a meal and/or group activities.
If you’d like to arrive a day earlier or depart a day later, that can be discussed, as can the addition of Cardney wild venison, lamb and game by prior agreement.
Guests are allowed to bring caravans, campervans or tents to stay overnight on the estate.
