TTKS Visits: Carrick Castle Estate

Right off the bat, when someone says ‘castle’, we all think of ‘grandeur’ – both in decor and in size. But what if we told you that you could have your very own private wedding in a castle, without needing a mile-long guest list and all the expense that comes with it?

Craigard, newly opened at the lovely Carrick Castle Estate in Lochgoilhead, has all the traditional grandeur you’d expect from a large stately home in Scotland, but it’s paired with the cosy comfort of having everything and everyone all together under one roof.

So, of course, my immediate answer to seeing all this for myself for a two-night stay was, don’t mind if ‘I do’! 

Besides ensuring I had my bags packed and my groceries planned (the accommodation is self-catering and a wee bit far from the shops), I also made sure to inform my lovely personal chauffeur (and partner) Luke that he would be coming too.

A car is essential for getting around Argyll and Bute, and the views were wonderful as we drove there on a gorgeous sunny day. 

Craigard is a few miles south of Lochgoilhead. You can’t miss it – you’ll see the large lodge and barn on the right and, shortly after that, Carrick Castle on your left. Back on the right-hand side, a small plaque spells out ‘Craigard’ next to a gated entrance leading up a private gravel path. 

I’ve lived in Scotland for a good seven years now, but I’m still always blown away by its coastlines, countryside and epic mountains. It does an excellent job of grounding me, forcing me to lower my sky-high tense shoulders and breathe in the fresh air.

So I totally get the idea of marrying in the midst of all the best Scotland has to offer. (And this was before I even spotted the view from Craigard’s log-burning hot tub.)

As soon as Hannah cast her eyes over the ample grassy spaces, surrounding woodland and lochside views, she convinced the owner it would be a sublime spot for those true-love declarations

Upon arrival we, like all lucky Carrick Castle Estate couples, were greeted by Hannah Mellet, who runs the estate with her husband Darius.

While she guided us through Craigard’s living rooms, en-suite bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, up the sweeping staircase (making me wish I’d borrowed a floor-length dress with a train so I could walk slowly down it), through the honeymoon suite and up to the pretty private chapel (where all the wedding magic happens), Hannah shared a bit of background on how Carrick Castle Estate came to be the established venue it is today. 

Seven years ago, she and Darius were living in South Africa, and thinking about moving back to Scotland with their family. That’s when they stumbled upon an advert placed by the estate’s owner looking for two individuals with their exact skill-sets to run the place – her a people-person and great planner, and him a passionate environmental conservationist.

Fun fact: the estate’s lodge (which can sleep 16) wasn’t purpose-built to host weddings, but as soon as Hannah cast her eyes over the ample grassy spaces (ideal for an outdoor ceremony), surrounding woodland and lochside views, she convinced the owner it would be a sublime spot for those true-love declarations.

Later, the neighbouring castle-like structure, now known as Craigard, was abandoned mid-renovation by a previous owner, but Hannah and Darius took over the project so they could expand the range of weddings offered by the estate.

As Luke and I admired the William Morris wallpaper, the tweed curtains, antique bed frames and dressers, as well as the very modern bathroom and kitchen, Hannah explained that Craigard “wasn’t designed to be a home away from home” but a comfortable yet lavish space full of traditional finishings – a lot of them bought when the contents of a Welsh castle were put up for auction.

You can check out even more of Scotland's best castle wedding venues here

The Mellets strive to establish a family-feel relationship with their soon-to-be-wed couples. Hannah is there with you every step of the way until you’re walking up the aisle. Darius will take you and your photographer for a spin in his vintage Land-Rover Defender to get those ‘off the beaten track’ photos you’ll cherish forever.

And even Christiaan and Luka, their ten and eight-year-old sons, step in to introduce Carrick Castle’s beloved alpacas to guests.

A wedding at Craigard is not just one day; it’s a great weekend to really get everyone involved in this most special occasion. And if it’s the place for you, you’ll know just as quickly as Hannah and Darius did when they first set eyes on the estate.

Hannah put it best when she said, “First prize is a nice sunny day.” But, rain or shine (we had plenty of both during our stay), the magic of this corner of Argyll and Bute is impossible to wash away.

While we cosied up at the fireplace and challenged each other to games of billiards, we could only imagine how incredible it would have been had we brought ten of our loved ones with us to fill the empty bedrooms and join us at the grand dining table.