20 of the Best Small Wedding Venues in Scotland for an Intimate Celebration
Dreaming of a romantic and intimate Scottish wedding? Check out these beautifully small wedding venues in Scotland...
Whether you’re on the hunt for wedding budget hacks or you’ve simply always dreamed of an intimate celebration, choosing a small wedding venue has many benefits - and there are plenty of small wedding venues in Scotland!
Small weddings lend themselves to a fantastic atmosphere, and fewer people equals a lower spend. That said, if you’re only having a select few guests at your wedding, you need a wedding venue that specifically caters to smaller guest lists. You don’t want to feel like you haven’t filled the venue!
Scotland is a beautiful region to get married in thanks to its vibrant cities and dramatic landscapes. It also boasts some of the most enchanting small and intimate wedding venues around.
20 Beautiful Small and Intimate Scottish Wedding Venues
From country house wedding venues to industrial wedding venues, we’ve hunted high and low for the best small wedding venues in Scotland. There’s bound to be something you adore in this lot.
1. Borthwick Castle - Lothian & Borders
For more than six centuries, the stunning Borthwick Castle has soared above the landscape. Today, it provides a magical setting for small weddings in Scotland. From the fairy-tale façade to the stately reception rooms and bedchambers, the venue dazzles and offers an enchanting escape for 'I dos.' There is even a spiralling staircase which is sure to make for some memorable wedding photos.
With 12 bedchambers, each with an en-suite bathroom, the couple and their wedding party can stay the night. An additional four loved ones can be housed in Crookston Cottage. The luxurious accommodations provide a relaxing retreat for after the dining and dancing have come to a close.
If the historical castle isn't enough, the grounds offer plenty of splendour as well. Towering trees and open lawns with the Scottish landscape rolling in the distance makes for a beautiful backdrop as couples celebrate with their family and friends. Not to mention all the photo opportunities! One of our Hitched users described it as "The most incredibly romantic wedding venue ever!"
Capacity: Between 2 and 85 Guests
Pricing: Starting from £11,500
Deals: Book your wedding at Borthwick Castle in January or February 2024 and enjoy complimentary canapes for your drinks reception.
2. Riddle's Court - Lothian & Borders
Situated in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, Riddle’s Court is one of the most unique small wedding venues in Edinburgh that has been recently and extensively renovated. It accommodates wedding parties of between 12 and 60 guests.
When you enter the venue from the famous Royal Mile, you’ll be greeted by an abundance of character and charm. Hitched users have said that, "Riddles Court is a fantastic choice for history lovers, aesthetes or people looking for an alternative from the usual." The venue has a relaxed atmosphere that carries through all of its function rooms.
Every suite and chamber is spacious and perfect for wedding feasts and dances. There are balconies for wedding photos and there’s a civil ceremony license, so your entire day can be hosted under one roof.
The venue has a range of outstanding caterers, florists, and entertainers on their books, so whatever wedding theme you’ve been dreaming of will be totally easy to achieve. It was also the winner of a prestigious Hitched Wedding Award in 2023.
Capacity: Up to 60 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £45
3. Dunskey Estate - Dumfries Galloway & Ayrshire
Whether you’re looking to marry in an ancient woodland, on the bank of a loch, in an award-winning walled garden, on a boat at dawn or inside an impressive Edwardian castle, the Dunskey Estate is a small wedding venue in Scotland that offers everything you could want. It even has a maze!
You'll get the estate exclusively for three days for the wedding (wedding weekend, anyone?) and fully immerse yourself in the Lord or Lady of the Manor dream. The in-house florist will gather together bouquets from the garden and the resident chef will whip up a sensory adventure using local and seasonal ingredients.
Up to 50 guests can stay in the castle, while the eight lodges across the estate hold 30 more people. The rooms blend old-world charm, feature fireplaces and large, picturesque windows with modern comforts like Tempur-pedic mattresses.
In good weather, you can't do better than a woodland wedding, but the lavish reception spaces within the castle are hard to beat too. The Great Hall is just crying out for a ceilidh. This is truly an unparalleled small Scottish wedding venue - our reviews say "no words are sufficient for capturing what a magnificent, special place Dunskey is."
Capacity: Up to 80 Guests
Pricing: POA
4. McArthur Manor - Perthshire
One of many eye-catching small intimate wedding venues in Scotland, McArthur Manor, was originally constructed in 1795, a fact apparent throughout its historical architecture.
When booked, the entire venue is for the couple's use, allowing the special pair to host a private celebration with their nearest and dearest. The nearlyweds are allowed to decorate the venue to their liking, helping to make it feel even more their own. Newlyweds have said, "The building has so much warmth, charm and character and it is beautifully decorated."
There are a variety of spaces throughout the manor for hosting events, along with accommodation for overnight stays. Self-catering is available for those staying, or it can be taken care of by the team's expert culinary professionals.
While larger gatherings may be held here, there are plenty of options for smaller soirees of a just 18.
Capacity: Between 18 to 150 Guests
Pricing: Starting at £1,500
5. House For an Art Lover - Central & Glasgow
We’re obsessed with House For An Art Lover – a contemporary and stylish wedding venue in Glasgow. It’s set within the beautiful surroundings of Bellahouston Park which offers endless backdrops for your wedding photography.
We love the Music Room for a ceremony in front of your loved ones and The Mackintosh Suite for your wedding breakfast. This small wedding venue in Scotland boasts space for up to 80 guests. If neither of those suits, there are plenty of other beautiful rooms to choose from!
When booking your wedding at House For An Art Lover, you’ll be enlisted a dedicated wedding coordinator who will ensure every step of planning and organisation runs smoothly.
You’ll also receive a range of extras, including a cake stand and knife, fresh flower table centrepieces and indoor fairy lights. There's even a quiet room for guests who want to escape from all the noise - Hitched users said, "The quiet room was a perfect addition for guests who needed a more low-key environment while those who wanted to, danced the night away in the café on the dance floor."
Capacity: Up to 80 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £66.50
Deals: This venue's 2023 Summer Package offers a generous list of features for gatherings of 60 day guests and 80 evening guests, while those tying the knot in Winter 2024 can enjoy a Sunday-Friday package of only £3,340 for 40 day guests and 80 evening guests.
6. The Dougarie Boathouse - Isle of Arran
Only two hours door-to-door from Glasgow, you'll feel in a different world at the beachside Boathouse, perched on the west coast of the Isle of Arran. Originally a sporting lodge, the Boathouse is now owned and operated by the islanders who've lovingly renovated it into a gorgeous and tranquil wedding venue that sits among incredible scenery.
You can marry on the beach in front of the Boathouse with views over the Kilbrannan Sound towards the Mull of Kintyre, in a stunning circular castellated area or by the magical Loch Lorsa further into the Dougarie Estate. We love the Boathouse, which can hold up to 80 guests. It boasts many original, rustic features with all the modern facilities you could want.
Exclusive hire of the Boathouse can include accommodation split across Dougarie Estate; there are five luxury houses that can sleep 35 people and are ideal for a whole weekend affair.
The island has a number of pretty churches so you can choose between a religious ceremony, civil, or humanist one. This happy newlywed puts it best: "If you are looking for a venue with a difference, this is it."
Capacity: Up to 80 Guests
Pricing: Starting from £2,500
Deals: Good news for Hitched users - you can enjoy 10% discount on this stunning venue! Selected dates in 2023 also come with a 50% venue hire discount, but act soon - offer ends 31st May 2023!
7. Alladale Wilderness Reserve - Dingwall
Set in 100 square kilometres of Scottish Highlands is this traditional Scottish lodge that can be your home and wedding venue for the weekend. With unbeatable views of the river, Glen Mor and Glen Alladale, you'll want to spend most of your time looking at the window at the wildlife, which includes stags, pine martens, golden eagles, and wildcats.
Turn your attention inside and you're greeted in the main lodge (which sleeps 14) with a sauna, fully equipped gym, commercial kitchen and resident chef, highly experienced staff, billiards room, dining room, drawing room with a baby grand piano, and TV room. Phew!
On the rest of the estate, there are two further lodges: Eagle's Crag, which sleeps eight, and Ghillie's Rest, which sleeps four. All the properties at the Alladale Wilderness Reserve offer high-end comfort with unmatched landscape views.
Their Guest Liaison will work with you to create the wedding of your dreams and ensure your intimate wedding is exactly as you want it. If you want to get away from it all in a scenic and peaceful setting with the best of British wildlife on your doorstep, Alladale is for you.
Capacity: Up to 20 Guests
Pricing: Starting from £15,000
8. Harvest Moon Holidays - Lothian & Borders
Couples dreaming of getting married with sand beneath their feet on a stunning Scottish beach should look no further than Harvest Moon. This beautiful wedding venue caters for weddings of between 30 and 50 guests.
The team specialise in weekend-long celebrations, where the couple’s friends and family can come together in one of the most breath-taking and unique small wedding venues in Scotland.
You can host your ceremony outside on the beach before retiring to a romantic honeymoon tent at the end of the night. Alternatively, you can say your vows at the venue’s woodland site before spending the night in an amazing honeymoon treehouse.
Oh, and don’t worry about your guests – they can stay in luxurious on-site accommodation, too! And they're sure to have a good time - just check out what this Hitched user had to say: "Harvest Moon is a magical place and even very reluctant glampers didn't want to leave."
Capacity: Up to 50 Guests
Pricing: Starting at £4,165
9. Kippilaw House - Lothian & Borders
Couples dreaming of a magical woodland wedding day should add Kippilaw House to their shortlist. It’s a Georgian mansion set in its own private forest – they even offer outdoor wedding ceremonies in one of the clearings!
There are three well-appointed reception rooms available if you don’t want to get married outside, each beautifully decorated. After your ceremony, you can have reception drinks on the lawn and take photographs on the grand staircase before tucking into a delicious wedding breakfast.
Although this wedding venue can cater for larger weddings, the packages they offer to small wedding parties are second-to-none. What’s more, if you invite up to 40 guests, every one of them will have a beautiful place to stay on your wedding night across 15 bedrooms.
Our Hitched users put it best: "Perfect place if you love a vintage, quirky surrounding and a place that you and your guests will remember."
Capacity: Up to 40 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £99
10. Skeabost House Hotel - Isle of Skye
Skeabost House Hotel sits on the beautiful Isle of Skye among 23 acres of lochside woodlands and with picturesque views of the sea. Originally a hunting lodge built in 1871, it mixes original period features with contemporary fabrics and furniture for a stylish, luxury hotel wedding venue experience.
Perfect for intimate elopements and celebration, this venue can host up to 82 guests and features an on-site chapel, an award-winning restaurant and cosy drawing and morning room.
There are 18 beautifully-appointed bedrooms including the Columba room: the honeymoon suite with high ceilings, windows that overlook the hotel gardens, and a four-poster bed.
For something truly special, you can hire exclusive use of the hotel and turn your day into an unforgettable weekend house party. Don't miss out on one of the most picturesque intimate wedding venues in Scotland
Capacity: Up to 80 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £85
11. The Harbour Chapel - Lothian & Borders
This spectacular church space has got to be one of the most beautiful and unique small wedding venues in Scotland. The beautifully restored Wesleyan Chapel is the oldest in Scotland and dates back to 1764. It retains all its original features, like the scallop-shelled oak pulpit, balcony, and ornate Victorian stained glass windows, which originated from St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
If you're after an atmospheric and historic location for your big day, the magical Harbour Chapel is right for you - but don't just take our word for it! One newlywed said, "The Harbour Chapel is a stunning venue and the most magical place to celebrate a wedding! Nothing was too much to ask and everyone was made to feel very special."
You'll walk down the aisle of the historic church and exchange vows in front of the magnificent glass windows. After the ceremony, guests can move to the adjoining bar for a drink, while you make use of the stunning setting for photos; you can also take a stroll to the picturesque harbour with its castle remains and spectacular views.
Back at the church, you'll dine in the nave on fabulous banqueting style tables that can seat up to 70, before the reception bar and dance floor open. You can even cut your wedding cake and make speeches from the old pulpit if you'd like! With custom wedding packages that put your personal tastes first and a unique setting, your guests won't have experienced anything like it.
Capacity: Up to 70 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £50
Deals: Scotland has always been a popular spot for elopements, and The Harbour Chapel offers an Elopement Package to cater to all your needs. Couples can enjoy exclusive venue use, staff, witnesses, wedding coordination, a fully stocked bar and more for only £600 mid-week.
Not only that, the venue also offers venue hire and complimentary prosecco on selected summer dates in 2023.
12. Carrick Castle Estate – Argyll
Welcome to Carrick Castle Estate, a luxury and exclusive-use lodge and barn complex on the grounds of Carrick Castle. From rustic weddings to those that are modern and elegant, it’s the perfect blank canvas to host whatever kind of celebration you’ve been dreaming of.
Thanks to its range of rooms and function spaces, Carrick Castle Estate can host small weddings in Scotland for 30 guests or fewer beautifully, despite having space for many more.
You can say ‘I do’ outside against a backdrop of the dramatic Scottish landscape and castle before taking the party inside for cocktails, food, and dancing.
There’s also accommodation on-site for 36 people across a luxury lodge and three beautiful cottages. This is definitely the place to be if you want satisfied guests, as this Hitched user pointed out: "We absolutely loved our time there and guests still talk about the incredible views and the accommodation!"
Capacity: Up to 120 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £80
13. The Old Dr Bells Baths - Lothian & Borders
If you and your partner are looking for an urban space for your "I dos", this might be it. The Old Dr Bells Baths is a Victorian building that has modern elements, blending the architectural details of the past with clean contemporary lines. The white walls with the black finish provide a blank canvas ideal for different wedding themes and schemes. It is time to get creative!
The venue is well suited for gatherings of between 80 and 120 people, making this a great option for couples searching for unique small wedding venues in Scotland. The vaulted space feels open and airy and it's all near Edinburgh for convenience.
The team here have a variety of wedding packages available for couples to choose from. Their wedding designer and manager can assist you in helping you curate your dream day.
It's a magical option for city nuptial celebrations. Our users love it - newlywed Jools said, "We liked how the venue is so flexible on theme, with a beautiful blank canvas room that can be decorated to your own tastes."
Capacity: Between 80 and 120 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £22.50
Deals: If you're tying the knot in 2023, you have to take advantage of this venue's unique offer 'Get your wedding in 2023 for £2,023'! This offer covers Sunday to Thursday dates and includes add-ons such as exclusive use, a wedding buffet, rustic long trestle tables, a cake stand and more!
And if you want to get Hitched in winter 2024, be sure to get in on their 'Winter Wedding Package' for only £5,000, based on a minimum number of 50 adults. You'll get Chiavari chairs, tables, a private function bar, two course wedding breakfast, wedding coordinator and more!
14. Galloway Activity Centre - Dumfries Galloway & Ayrshire
If you're looking for something different, the Galloway Activity Centre is the perfect unique wedding venue. Set among 22 acres of grounds overlooking Loch Ken, your backdrop will be rugged hills and still, calm waters. You'll arrive in style by boat and Loch Ken will also be the view you look out on while eating your wedding breakfast in the gorgeous glass-fronted reception room.
While it can hold up to 130 guests, there's accommodation for 83 in their Lochside cabins and bunkhouse, traditional Mongolian Yurts and luxury Eco Bothies, so this is a perfect number to cap your day at.
Host an outdoor wedding and walk down the aisle to the sound of bagpipes and then entertain your guests during reception drinks with a few of the site's favourite activities. There's Highland Games, zip wires, archery, laser tag, dragon boating, and even a climbing wall so it's ideal if your guests are on the adventurous side and you want some amazing photos.
There's even a 30ft giant swing which no couple has yet to say their vows on so you could be the first! Our users say, "If you want an outside wedding, this is a venue you really can't beat."
When it's time to dance the night away, you'll move from the reception room into the adjoining Boat Shed with its cool dance floor and adjacent 'Capsize Bar'. A perfect setting for a unique outdoor wedding with lots of fun, unexpected touches.
Capacity: Up to 130 Guests
Pricing: Starting at £7,500
15. Ness Walk - Inverness
With a maximum capacity of 80 guests, Ness Walk in Inverness is the perfect small and intimate wedding venue in Scotland, and in an idyllic city centre setting by the river.
They specialise in hosting weddings where the couple is surrounded only by their nearest and dearest. You and your partner can begin your day with a ceremony in the quaint courtyard with views of the botanical gardens and lawn.
The Riverbank Room at this five-star luxury hotel wedding venue is the star of the show, with a south-facing glass wall offering beautiful views across the River Ness.
Capacity: Up to 80 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £135
16. Carfraemill - Lothian & Borders
If you’re looking to get married at a rural small wedding venue in Scotland, Carfraemill could be perfect. It’s located on the edge of the glorious Lammermuir Hills, so the stunning views are the pièce de résistance of the property.
Fabulous food is at the heart of every wedding they create, so if you’re a foodie couple, listen up! The chefs create stunning menus, working with local farms, dairies, kitchens, and fishermen. Whatever dishes you choose to serve to your guests are guaranteed to be of amazing quality!
If you fancy hosting a festival-themed wedding, head a mile up the hill from Carfraemill to their farm. The views are even more magnificent there than they are from the main lodge below, and you can celebrate from tipis, tents, and marquees (with a herd of sheep picking through the grass nearby).
Your wedding party can stay in 10 beautifully-styled country lodge rooms and two hillside cottages over your wedding weekend. They’re sure to feel at home! Our Hitched users said, "There is definitely something to be said for picking a smaller, more personal venue and I have absolutely no second thoughts about choosing Carfraemill as our wedding venue."
Capacity: Up to 30 Guests
Pricing: POA
17. Blythswood Square Hotel - Central & Glasgow
Stunning pillars, marble floors, wood panelling - there's no more place more perfect to say 'I do' than the Blythswood Square Hotel. This gorgeous Glasgow wedding venue is guaranteed to impress all you friends and family with its luxury guest rooms and delicious food and drink which puts modern pins on Scottish staples.
Intimate gatherings packed full of personality will find their home here, as there's plenty of ways to make this space completely your own.
Your wedding photographer will be happy to hear that tying the knot at Blythswood Square Hotel grants you private access to Blythswood Square Gardens, making all your wedding photographs unforgettable. Not only that, if you're hosting a wedding with children, you'll have access to a private screening room for the children where to show their favourite movie or a slideshow of family memories.
Capacity: Up to 80 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £250
18. Cluny Bank Hotel - Moray & Banff
Situated near Forres, Moray, Cluny Bank Hotel is a historic manor wedding venue offering lush manicured grounds and elegant interiors packed full of history. Outside you'll find beautiful nature, inside you'll find luxurious accommodation - what more could you ask for from small intimate wedding venues in Scotland?
This hotel wedding venue has maintained its Victorian charm while combining it with modern amenities and lavish interior design. Intimate weddings are this venue's speciality and the beautiful setting is ideal for celebrating with your closest friends and family.
Each room boasts amazing views of the Scottish countryside and hotel grounds, ideal for a mid-afternoon wander and the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs.
When the celebrations have drawn to a close, you and your guests can retire to the seven impressive bedrooms.
Capacity: Up to 60 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £50
19. Killearn Village Hall - Killearn, Central & Glasgow
Planning a countryside wedding? Then you have to check out Killearn Village Hall! This hidden gem venue overlooks the iconic Loch Lomond and is surrounded by tranquil countryside - you wouldn't think that it was just a short journey from Glasgow.
The Killearn Village Hall team strive to create a friendly and communal atmosphere, the perfect accompaniment to the vintage charm of the building itself. The Main Hall can be the centre of your wedding celebrations from rehearsal to reception.
Other facilities on the property include a vibrant Garden Room and inviting Glebe, not to mention the balcony offering stunning views of Loch Lomond. This has got to be one of the best views for small weddings in Scotland!
Whether you're having a humanist ceremony or a civil ceremony, Killearn Village Hall can cater to weddings of all kinds.
Capacity: Up to 120 Guests
Pricing: Menus from £37
20. Lickleyhead Castle - Alford, Aberdeen & Deeside
Here at Hitched HQ, we love a castle wedding venue, and Lickleyhead Castle is no exception. This idyllic property can be found in Alford, Aberdeenshire, and is set amid rolling, peaceful countryside while also being easily accessible from Aberdeen Airport.
Wooded stretches, large lawns and walled gardens feature throughout the 11 acre grounds, adding an air of enchantment perfect for, as one Hitched user described it, a "fairy-tale wedding" at a small wedding venue in Scotland.
This Grade A listed establishment goes all the way back to the 16th century, and couples who book this historic wedding venue are invited to host a bespoke micro wedding of up to 30 people. There are several settings to hold your ceremony here, including the great hall, the on-site chapel, in the open air or under a gazebo.
Licklyhead Castle is also an exclusive use wedding venue, so you can enjoy total privacy on your big day.
Capacity: Up to 30 guests
Pricing: Starting at £500
Deals: There are several dates still on offer for 2023 micro-weddings, with prices starting from £3,999 including a three night stay!
If you just can’t cut your guest list down but still have your heart set on Scotland, take a look at our round-up of the best castle wedding venues in Scotland. They can host endless numbers of guests.
