Wedding Venues in Highland Council

All About Getting Married in the Highlands

The Scottish Highlands are one of the most romantic and picturesque locations in the UK, making them a dream destination for couples planning their wedding. Many of the areas in the Highlands might be remote, which can make travel a little trickier than in other UK regions, but the little extra effort can sure be worth it. With an abundance of Tolkein-esque landscapes, hilltop castles and serene lochs, the Highlands make for the perfect backdrop to your big day.

The Highlands are a popular choice for weddings, with couples drawn to the breathtaking scenery, stunning venues and calming atmosphere. Around 12% of UK couples choose to get married in the Highlands and across Scotland, thanks to the affordability and diversity of its wedding locations, and the Highlands stand out as an exceptional destination for a truly unbelievable day.

According to our 2025 Wedding Report, the Scottish Highlands is becoming an increasingly popular choice for UK weddings, with many couples choosing to celebrate their special day in this one-of-a-kind region. With an average wedding cost of £18,617 in the Highlands (as well as the rest of Scotland), couples can enjoy a luxurious celebration without the high prices found in cities like London, where the average cost is £28,629. It’s also cheaper than the overall UK average, where couples spend £20,822. That means the Highlands is the perfect place to host your wedding, combining natural beauty, a huge range of venue choices and a better level of affordability.

Popular Wedding Themes & Trends in the Highlands

Being an area of incredible beauty, weddings in the Highlands often capitalise on nature and the surrounding landscape.

Couples in the Scottish Highlands are among those who spend the least on wedding flowers, with an average spend of £889 compared to the UK national average of £1,132. This is likely because there’s already loads of natural beauty across the region, so couples may not feel the need to spend more money when wildflowers and greenery are already right there.

It’s becoming more popular to take full advantage of what the Highlands have to offer by having an outdoor ceremony. There’s something magical about the Highlands at night, so it’s also increasingly more common for couples to host a twilight wedding here, where the lack of light pollution means you may just get to tie the knot beneath an ocean of stars.

Wedding Venues in the Highlands & Average Costs

The Scottish Highlands cover more than 10,000 square miles and are filled with some of the most incredible scenery you could imagine. Within that space, there are loads of wedding venues that make it possible to have a wedding taken straight from the pages of a fantasy novel. From venues on the banks of a legendary loch to a rustic barn hidden deep within an enchanting forest, there’s a huge amount of choice.

For a truly fairytale wedding, you could choose to get married in one of the Highlands’ many castles, which are as beautiful as they are packed with history. Achnagairn Castle in Kirkhill is elegant and grand, and is located within pristine gardens with incredible views. Mansfield Castle in Tain is beautiful, with the tall tower providing panoramic views of the Dornoch Firth and surrounding countryside. There’s also Lews Castle in Stornoway, nestled in fabulous gardens and providing that quintessential Scottish castle aesthetic.

If you’d prefer to get married somewhere steeped in luxury and class, you could also choose one of the many country or stately homes found across the Highlands. Loch Ness Country House Hotel is found right at the northern tip of the world-famous loch; Glenmorangie House in Fearn offers a lovely coastal setting with a secluded beach; and Pitcalzean House in Tain is hidden within 33 acres of woodlands.

There are also plenty of unique and character-filled venues in the Highlands. Celebrate your big day on the legendary Loch Ness with Loch Ness by Jacobite, tie the knot on a mountain top at Nevis Range in Fort William or atop a hill at the picturesque Loch Ness Lodge.

The Highlands are already a more affordable region to get married in compared to the rest of the UK, but there is a huge selection of venues that are fantastic and suitable for couples working with a smaller budget. The Lovat Hotel in Fort Augustus, Kintail Lodge in Kyle and Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel in Inverness are all fantastic venues to consider.

The average cost of a wedding venue in the Scottish Highlands is £5,685, which is less than the overall UK average at £5,945 and far less than London venues costing £7,020 on average. There are also plenty of other savings to be made with a Scottish wedding, meaning the Highlands offer an incredible opportunity to host a stunning and budget-friendly wedding.

Average Wedding Venue Booking Lead Times in the Highlands

The Scottish Highlands and their incredible natural beauty make for a hugely popular destination to host a dream wedding. This popularity means that you will need to book your venue between 12 and 18 months ahead of your big day – at least. Some of the most popular venues will need to be reserved two or more years ahead of time, so make sure you get in there as soon as possible, once you’re happy with your choice.

If you're flexible with your date or location (or both), and willing to book during less popular times like winter or midweek, you may be able to find availability around six months or less before your big day. However, it’s always best to plan ahead, especially for venues with incredible views of the mountains or lochs – there’s every chance availability will soon fill up.

Weather & Seasonality in the Highlands

The weather in the Highlands, like much of Scotland, can be unpredictable. Scotland has an average of 38 days of snow every year, with most of it settling in the Highlands. That can make getting to some of the more remote venues a little difficult, but with thoughtful planning, you can host a stunning wedding at any time of year.

Spring (March - May) in the Highlands is when the entire region fills with vibrant greens and beautiful blooming wildflowers. Temperatures range from 7°C (45°F) in March to around 13°C (55°F) in May, but occasional rain showers are to be expected, so don’t rely on a venue that only has outdoor space. There’s also every chance you might get a little snow, especially in March and April, so be prepared.

Summer (June - August) is the most popular season for weddings in the Highlands, with long days of up to 18 hours of daylight in some parts. Temperatures range from 15°C (59°F) to 19°C (66°F), but can occasionally reach the low 20s. There’s also a lower chance of rain, which makes the summer the best time for an outdoor wedding in the Highlands. Just be mindful of midges, especially in rural areas, as they can be a bit of a pain.

Autumn (September - November) in the Highlands is beautiful, as the hills and glens turn shades of gold, orange and red. Temperatures range from 13°C (55°F) in September to 7°C (45°F) in November, which screams for a cosy and intimate venue that offers views across the iconic landscape – perfect for the wedding album.

Winter (December - February) in the Highlands is a wonderful time to get married, with the open landscape layered with fresh frost or snow due to the temperature typically ranging from 1°C (34°F) to 5°C (41°F) – and it often drops below freezing. While it can be risky booking some of the more remote venues – particularly if your guests have to travel a long way – it can make for a magical wedding day.

Transport & Accommodation in the Highlands

The Scottish Highlands offer stunning landscapes and a tranquil atmosphere for your wedding, and the region is well-connected – but perhaps not quite as much as other regions across the UK.

The Highlands are easily accessible by car, with major roads like the A9 connecting the centre of Scotland to the north, leading directly to Highland destinations like Inverness and Fort William. The more remote you get, the windier and narrower the roads become, but you’ll still find that you can get to wherever you’re going by car.

Scotland’s rail network extends to the Highlands, with Inverness being the main rail hub, with direct services from Edinburgh and Glasgow. And of course, there’s the famous West Highland Line, which provides one of the most incredible train journeys in the world, and the Jacobite Train, which passes over the Glenfinnan viaduct, made famous from the Harry Potter films.

For those travelling longer distances, the Highlands are served by Inverness Airport (INV), with direct flights to and from London and Manchester, as well as cities across Europe. Once in the Highlands, ferries also run regularly between the mainland and some of the islands like Skye, Mull and Islay.

Being such a major draw to tourists, the Highlands are home to a huge selection of hotels and B&Bs, suitable for all tastes and budgets. Plenty of Highland hotels are also fabulous wedding venues in their own right, allowing you to have a beautiful and convenient wedding all in one location. Hotels like Mackays Hotel in Wick, Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness and Glen Mhor Hotel & Apartments in Inverness are all brilliant choices.