Description
This enchanting 13th century castle is set within a beautiful estate of parkland and forest on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Dalhousie castle boasts of an impressive 800 year history being the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland. The interior of this historic venue hosts individually styled bedrooms, and award winning restaurants, all in keeping with its original history and charm. Outdoors you can enjoy breath-taking surroundings, with our bridge over the South Esk River, garden walks and the onsite falconry.
Dalhousie Castle provides a truly idyllic setting for exclusive use hire, Intimate Weddings, Vow Renewals and honeymoons. From the moment you arrive, a warm wholehearted Scottish welcome awaits you, to ensure yourself & your guests instantly feel at home.
Our specialist wedding coordinators shall guide you through the planning process of your special day, before handing over to our conference and banqueting team who shall ensure that you truly do, live the fairy tale. We look forward to welcoming you to Dalhousie Castle!
Message from the team
Experience
Overview of Dalhousie Castle
Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Wedding Venue Details
Wedding Catering
Pricing for Dalhousie Castle
Reviews (28)
- TThe Ivory's30/06/2026Wedding of our Dreams Wedding of our Dreamswhen we first chose dalhousie castle as our venue, we wasnt aware that renovations was being planned (as this may of swayed our decision to not get married here) however once millie and angel took over the handling of our wedding, our experience improved ten fold! nothing was to much hassle, we both honestly believe if it wasnt for them two we wouldnt of had the wedding of our dreams. The staff was amazing, the food was delicious and the castle is beautiful. everyone LOVED the owl ring deliverywhen we first chose dalhousie castle as our venue, we wasnt aware that renovations was being planned (as this may of swayed our decision to not get married here) however once millie and angel took over the handling of our wedding, our experience improved ten fold! nothing was to much hassle, we both honestly believe if it wasnt for them two we wouldnt of had the wedding of our dreams. The staff was amazing, the food was delicious and the castle is beautiful. everyone LOVED the owl ring delivery
- KKate and Darragh30/06/2026Magical MagicalThe first look at the castle could not be beaten, it took everyone’s breath away. We used little decorations as the castle interior was beautiful by itself. Milly was our coordinator for the majority of the time and she was the best. Really on top of things, fantastic communication and organisation. Super friendly and fun to talk with. We had no issues that weren't solved within a few hours. Angel was also amazing at helping ensure everything ran smoothly before and after the wedding day.The first look at the castle could not be beaten, it took everyone’s breath away. We used little decorations as the castle interior was beautiful by itself. Milly was our coordinator for the majority of the time and she was the best. Really on top of things, fantastic communication and organisation. Super friendly and fun to talk with. We had no issues that weren't solved within a few hours. Angel was also amazing at helping ensure everything ran smoothly before and after the wedding day.
- LLaura and Colin30/06/2026Magical Experience Magical ExperienceWe truly had the most magical experience at Dalhousie castle. We couldn’t have asked for more. The grounds were newly renovated and stunning, all the staff were more than friendly and very attentive and we felt like royalty at all times. Special shout out to Millie & Angel from the events team, who made sure that our special day was perfect from start to end. You two really made sure that everything went to plan and we felt in such good hands at all times. Also a shoutout to Keira and Matthew frWe truly had the most magical experience at Dalhousie castle. We couldn’t have asked for more. The grounds were newly renovated and stunning, all the staff were more than friendly and very attentive and we felt like royalty at all times. Special shout out to Millie & Angel from the events team, who made sure that our special day was perfect from start to end. You two really made sure that everything went to plan and we felt in such good hands at all times. Also a shoutout to Keira and Matthew fr
- WWeronika and Daniel30/06/2026Incredible IncredibleDalhousie Castle is AMAZING! We had a great time on our elopement from start to finish. We wouldn't have changed a single thing! Our coordinators, Milly and Angel, were incredible. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made everything seamless and stress-free. It was lovely to e-meet them first and then to have them present on the day as our witnesses! Dalhousie Castle is AMAZING! We had a great time on our elopement from start to finish. We wouldn't have changed a single thing! Our coordinators, Milly and Angel, were incredible. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made everything seamless and stress-free. It was lovely to e-meet them first and then to have them present on the day as our witnesses!
- SShelly and James30/06/2026A Pleasure A PleasureAs a wedding planner, it was such a pleasure working with the team at Dalhousie Castle. The castle itself is beautiful, but what really stood out was the exceptional service from every department. From the events team to F&B and front desk/reception, everyone worked so seamlessly together. It genuinely felt like the whole team was happy, enthusiastic, and excited to be there, and that positive energy shone through in every aspect of the wedding weekend. It can sometimes be challenging for an extAs a wedding planner, it was such a pleasure working with the team at Dalhousie Castle. The castle itself is beautiful, but what really stood out was the exceptional service from every department. From the events team to F&B and front desk/reception, everyone worked so seamlessly together. It genuinely felt like the whole team was happy, enthusiastic, and excited to be there, and that positive energy shone through in every aspect of the wedding weekend. It can sometimes be challenging for an ext
- CCarol19/12/2018AmazingAmazingThis castle hotel is an amazing stay. We had our daughter’s wedding here and we couldn’t have been looked after better. The staff were so attentive and helpful but also weren’t over bearing at all. The accommodation was very comfortable and the food amazing. I would most certainly recommend as a very special place to stay. Thank you. This castle hotel is an amazing stay. We had our daughter’s wedding here and we couldn’t have been looked after better. The staff were so attentive and helpful but also weren’t over bearing at all. The accommodation was very comfortable and the food amazing. I would most certainly recommend as a very special place to stay. Thank you.
- KKaren D15/12/2018WeddingWeddingWe had our wedding at Dalhousie Castle last month & everything went wonderfully well. From the set up of rooms, to the timings, to the food and drink. All of the staff were exceptional and deserve a huge round of applause. Thanks to Shannon our event coordinator who helped make our day so special. We will definitely return 😊We had our wedding at Dalhousie Castle last month & everything went wonderfully well. From the set up of rooms, to the timings, to the food and drink. All of the staff were exceptional and deserve a huge round of applause. Thanks to Shannon our event coordinator who helped make our day so special. We will definitely return 😊
- MMr & Mrs B14/12/2018WeddingWeddingWe had our wedding at Dalhousie Castle and it was absolutely perfect also the accommodation was amazing. Staff efficient and friendly would recommend and will definitely be going back again. This exceeds 4 starsWe had our wedding at Dalhousie Castle and it was absolutely perfect also the accommodation was amazing. Staff efficient and friendly would recommend and will definitely be going back again. This exceeds 4 stars
- LL Wood13/12/2018The most delicious 'wedding' breakfast ever !The most delicious 'wedding' breakfast ever !Attended a friend's wedding here last week. We didn't actually stay in the hotel so can't comment on the rooms but the venue was superb. Beautiful place to get married, very romantic and intimate. The food at every course of the wedding breakfast was absolutely delicious. I don't normally eat desserts but I could have eaten that panna cotta dish several times over and what's more, I noticed that every single plate, for every course was cleared - a clear thumbs up that the chefs here know what they are doing ! A marvelous, memorable and thoroughly enjoyable day.Attended a friend's wedding here last week. We didn't actually stay in the hotel so can't comment on the rooms but the venue was superb. Beautiful place to get married, very romantic and intimate. The food at every course of the wedding breakfast was absolutely delicious. I don't normally eat desserts but I could have eaten that panna cotta dish several times over and what's more, I noticed that every single plate, for every course was cleared - a clear thumbs up that the chefs here know what they are doing ! A marvelous, memorable and thoroughly enjoyable day.
- KKJM Coldstream11/12/2018Great hotel for a Wonderful weddingGreat hotel for a Wonderful weddingMy wife and I stayed for one night as we were attending a wedding. Our room was very pleasant with a four poster bed.The wedding ceremony, reception and dinner were faultless. The food was outstanding.Breakfast the following morning was excellent. Service warm and efficient.My wife and I stayed for one night as we were attending a wedding. Our room was very pleasant with a four poster bed.The wedding ceremony, reception and dinner were faultless. The food was outstanding.Breakfast the following morning was excellent. Service warm and efficient.
Location & Contact Details for Dalhousie Castle
Wedding Venue Address
Travel Notes
Nearest Town
Nearest Motorway & Junction
Nearest Train Station
Nearest Airport
Describe the best wedding that happened at your venue?
We are very fortunate at Dalhousie Castle as our grounds lend themselves to creating a spectacular backdrop and the castle itself is so awesome and atmospheric, with its rich history extending seven centuries or so. Befitting a castle – we have our own Falconry, where Guests can get up close to the most amazing birds of prey and get a ‘hands on’ experience with them. It’s even an option to have Bonnie the Barn Owl flying in to deliver their rings in the chapel.
We have organised Mini Highland Games with Tossing the Caber and Bagpipe playing, to the Castle being taken over for a Harry Potter themed Wedding, which of course was magical - that was possibly one of my favourites, though it's hard to choose one!
What is your No.1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Trust us and enjoy the process of planning your special day. We are here to take the stress away so you can enjoy the whole experience, as well as the wedding day itself.
And remember to take in every moment of your day, it goes past so quickly.
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
There have been ‘Surprise Singers’ who look like regular waiting staff, serving canapés and drinks, then halfway through the Wedding Breakfast burst into song, that is wonderful to witness.
Recently a Bride surprised her Guests and Groom with a 16 strong Pipe Band marching up the drive at dusk to the front of the Castle, finishing the night off with Fireworks. Dalhousie was certainly the right setting for that spectacular procession!
Describe your venue in 5 adjectives.
Magical, atmospheric, historic, welcoming, flexible.
Where’s the best photo spot at your venue?
On the bridge over the South River Esk is an extremely popular spot, although I have seen some fantastic Braveheart-themed photos with groomsmen running through the castle estate in their kilts! Very entertaining!
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at your venue?
That's not for us to divulge I'm afraid!
What’s your favourite canapé?
This is a hard one to pick! Chef does an amazing goats cheese croquette. Very moreish.
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
It's got to be the Haggis Clapshot for me, served with crusty bread.
What is your venue's most unique feature?
Dalhousie Castle is a 13th century castle - Scotland's oldest inhabited castle - so we are fortunate to have many truly unique features. The atmospheric Dungeon Restaurant is particularly special, after all it's not every day that you get to dine surrounded by suits of armour deep within the castle vaults. Then there's the option to have your weddings rings delivered by one of the castle's owls, or to be welcomed to the castle by a skirl of bagpipes. There are lots of little extra details we can suggest to make your wedding day stand out.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Our relationships with our couples. All couples are different, so we are flexible to suit their individual needs. At Dalhousie we work as a team in the Wedding Department, with each of us knowing about all our weddings and will have personally met with every bride and groom. We feel that this gives our couples peace of mind, so that whenever they contact us or visit, there is someone there 7 days a week who can answer their questions. We always strive to build a good relationship with our couples, and hope that couples feel relaxed in talking with us, so know their wedding is in good hands. However, if they want to speak to us every day, that’s ok too. Their wedding day is one of the biggest days of their life and they want it to be perfect, so do we.
