A Scottish castle wedding at Drumtochty Castle in Aberdeenshire

Nicola and Daniel chose Drumtochty Castle in Aberdeenshire for their autumn Scottish castle wedding, opting for an exclusive-use venue that could host their 140 guests for a full weekend.

With a humanist ceremony in the ballroom, elegant seasonal styling and a ceilidh to finish the night, their celebration made full use of everything this historic venue has to offer.

Wedding highlights at a glance

Venue | Drumtochty Castle, Aberdeenshire
Venue type | Exclusive-use Scottish castle
Date | 25th October 2025
Photography | Christie Johnston Photography
Guests | 140
Ceremony | Humanist ceremony in the ballroom
Style | Autumnal, elegant, minimal décor
Entertainment | Ceilidh band
Duration | Three-day wedding

A Scottish castle wedding at Drumtochty

Nicola and Daniel didn’t need to search far when it came to choosing their venue. Drumtochty Castle in Aberdeenshire immediately stood out as the setting for their autumn wedding.

“We just visited Drumtochty and nowhere else,” says Nicola.

“We knew exactly where we wanted to get married – it’s so magical.”

Find out more about weddings at Drumtochty Castle here

With guests travelling from across Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland, as well as from Australia, finding a venue that could host everyone for the full weekend was essential. The castle’s exclusive-use offering and on-site accommodation made it an easy decision.

A weekend of celebrations with exclusive use

The couple made full use of Drumtochty’s capacity to host a multi-day wedding. After arriving on the Thursday to set up and run through final details with the venue team, they welcomed close family and their wedding party on the Friday evening.

“We had around 35 of us staying and hosted a pizza party the night before,” Nicola explains.

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With space to accommodate over 100 guests on the estate, many chose to stay on after the wedding, turning the celebration into a relaxed weekend away with friends and family.

A relaxed morning and ballroom ceremony

The wedding morning was calm and unhurried, giving Nicola and Daniel time to take everything in before the ceremony.

They chose a humanist ceremony in Drumtochty’s ballroom, keeping the entire day within the castle grounds.

“My dad and my stepdad walked me down the aisle – that’s something I’ll always remember,” says Nicola.

“Daniel and I also wrote our own vows, which made it feel really personal.”

Drinks, photographs and time together

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed drinks, canapés and live music while the couple stepped away for photographs.

Drumtochty Castle offers a wide variety of backdrops, from its interiors to architectural details throughout the building.

See this gorgeous autumn castle wedding in Aberdeenshire where the groom forgot the schedule!

“There are so many photo opportunities – at the piano, against the green dining room curtains and by the stained-glass window on the staircase,” says Nicola. “Spending that time together was really special.”

The couple also made a point of visiting each table during the meal to speak with their guests.

Dinner, speeches and ceilidh dancing

After speeches from Nicola’s dad, Daniel and the best man, guests enjoyed a meal prepared by the castle’s in-house catering team.

The evening celebrations continued with a ceilidh performed by Celtic Avenue, bringing everyone onto the dancefloor.

“I just wish there were more than 24 hours in a day,” Nicola smiles.

“There’s nothing we would change.”

Styling an autumn wedding at Drumtochty Castle

With Drumtochty’s interiors already rich in character, Nicola and Daniel kept their styling simple and seasonal.

“Personalisation was important to us, and we wanted to use as many local suppliers as possible,” says Nicola. “But the castle is so elegant that we didn’t need to add much beyond autumnal flowers.”

The result was a warm, understated look that complemented the setting without overwhelming it.

Why the couple chose Drumtochty Castle

For Nicola and Daniel, the venue’s atmosphere and the support of its team made a lasting impression.

“The staff make you feel like guests of honour,” Nicola says. “We put our full trust in them and everything fell into place. The communication beforehand was amazing too.”

With its exclusive-use format, on-site accommodation and considered service, Drumtochty Castle offered everything they needed for a relaxed, personal and memorable wedding weekend.

Wedding suppliers

Venue and food Drumtochty Castle, Aberdeenshire
Photography Christie Johnston Photography
Second photographer Lewis Cannon Wedding Photography
Filmmaker Kevin Meenan Films 
Celebrant Neil Mellis, Independent Humanist Ceremonies 
Wedding dress Harlow by Watters from Ivory Grace
Shoes Manolo Blahnik
Wedding rings Finnies The Jeweller
Bridesmaid dresses Rewritten
Flowergirl dresses Monsoon 
Groomswear McCalls Highlandwear
Flowers Hay’s Flowers
Cake Kenzie’s Cakes
Drinks Majestic Wine
Hair Zoe Gordon
Makeup StephMArtistry
Nails ET Beauty
Spray tan Brown Sugar By Sam Milne
Dress alterations Martine Blair Dressmaker
Bridesmaid bags HanStitched
Stationery and favours DIY by the bride
Ceremony and drinks reception music More Than Sax  
Reception music Celtic Avenue