01 Feb 2024
Feel the love in Scotland this 14 February and fall for the romantic array of things to see, do and experience across the country throughout the year.
Treat loved ones to a magical date, snuggled up on the calm waters of Loch Lomond or prepare to whisk partners away for a dreamy weekend retreat. With the option to choose from a luxurious overnight amongst the buzz of the city or escape to a cosy cabin in the countryside, complete with woodburning stove and hot tub… (arguably providing the perfect place to pop the question!).
Make memories together…
Wander the beautifully secluded paths of Cambo Garden, with the return of the Scottish Snowdrop festival from Thursday, 25 January – Monday, 11 March 2024.
Enjoy the specialist snowdrop collection and the swathes of naturalised snowdrops along a woodland walk to the shores of the breathtaking Kingsbarns Beach.
Cambo Gardens is open seven days a week from 10am, and for the first time in seven years Cambo House is open to the public for tours, ideal for those looking to scope out the potential wedding venue for inspiration.
For more information and to book please visit: www.cambogardens.org.uk/visit/snowdrop-walks/, for a tour of Cambo House, please visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cambo-discovery-tours-tickets-795376581767
- Loch Lomond Cruise, Trossachs National Park
Head out onto the water and spend a relaxing one-hour cruise sailing past the waterfalls at Inversnaid and take in the sprawling glens and rocky peaks of the Arrochar Alps.
Enjoy live commentary with tales and insight into the history and geology of this part of Loch Lomond. Coorie up together and look out for sea eagles, deer and mountain goats along the way.
From £15 per person, for more information and to book please visit www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/cruise/
- Gretna Green, Dumfries & Galloway
From Friday, 2 February – Wednesday, 14 February, guests at Gretna Green can indulge in a limited offer for “Steak for two” in Gretna Hall for £60 per couple. Or for those looking to impress their partner's sweet tooth, opt for a romantic “afternoon tea for two, with a bottle of Bottega” at Smiths Hotels for £50 per couple.
In addition, for those with four-legged companions, on Friday, 16 February couples can bring their pet pooch for the “Lady and Tramp Valentines evening” at Blacksmiths Food Court. Enjoy a special Valentine's menu at £40 per couple, including a meal and drink for pooches, a sharing main course, and a dessert per person, with the option to finish the night capturing memorable moments at the Dog Photo Booth.
Did you know?
Built in 1713, the Blacksmith's Shop has been hosting Gretna Green weddings since couples began to elope to Scotland in 1754 from England and Wales, where marrying under 21, without their parents' consent became outlawed, beginning the 'Anvil Wedding'…
Now with over 260 years of history and heritage, Gretna Green is an award-winning wedding destination, with a 5-star visitor attraction, and home to The Famous Blacksmiths Shop.
For more information and to make an enquiry, please visit: www.gretnagreen.com
- Indulge in a spa day at SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Scottish Borders
Chase those feel-good endorphins with a day spent in the breathtaking holistic spa facility at SCHLOSS Roxburghe. Bolstering a heated outdoor infinity pool with underwater speaker sound system, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, plunge pool, a fitness suite, Finnish dry sauna and treatment rooms – this is the ideal place to reset and leave revitalised.
Prices for treatments vary. Spa day passes start from £70 per person, for more information and to book please visit: www.schlosshotel-roxburghe.com
- A stroll along Newark Bay, Orkney
With its charming villages, cosy B&Bs, and locally sourced cuisine, Orkney provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway.
Go for a windswept stroll along the likes of Newark Bay, a beautiful sandy beach, famous in Orkney folklore, as, for several summers around 1890 a mermaid was sighted there.
A romantic retreat…
- Kylesku Hotel, Sutherland
Kylesku Hotel has uninterrupted panoramic views over Loch Gleann Dubh and sits beside the impressive Kylesku Bridge. The Hotel has a glass-fronted deck looking out onto the lochside. It offers love-struck couples a unique destination restaurant to experience award-winning fine dining in world-class natural scenery.
From £89 per night, for more information on Kylesku Hotel or to make a booking, please visit www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk
- Laggan, Dumfries & Galloway
Bask in the coastal retreat of Laggan, based in an easily accessible rural location whilst still offering guests the chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Laggan boasts a variety of different accommodation, including cosy snugs with private hot tubs and outstanding views of Fleet Bay - everything required for the perfect romantic break.
Prices from £150 per night, for more information and to book please visit: www.lagganlife.co.uk/stay/
- Boutique Farm Bothies, Aberdeenshire
Featured on Channel 4's World's 'most secret hotels', couples can slow down into bothy life and enjoy specially arranged local produce goodies (with the option of marshmallow toasting kits, homemade pizza dough and afternoon teas) delivered to the door to mark the intimate occasion and the ultimate night in.
Prices from £220 per night, for more information and to book please visit www.boutiquefarmbothies.co.uk/
- Prestonfield House, Edinburgh
Become immersed in romance at Prestonfield House and enjoy a candlelit dinner, an overnight stay, and a delightful breakfast with the 'Romantic February' package. Couples can indulge in a lavish full Scottish Breakfast, a 3-course meal from the Table d'Hote dinner menu, and a complimentary bottle of Prestonfield Champagne upon arrival.
From £295 per room, for more information and to book please visit www.pobhotels.com/offer/all/romantic-february/
- Cromlix, Stirling
Winner of the 'Best Hotel Experience' Thistle Award, in 2023, Cromlix is an exquisite Victorian mansion and estate owned by Kim and Andy Murray. Nestled in the scenic Scottish countryside just three miles from Dunblane in Stirlingshire, hidden amongst 34 acres of secluded woodlands and garden grounds, it boasts its own chapel and loch.
Make the most of the 'game, set, perfect match' package, offering the ultimate romantic pampering experience for one night. Couples can enjoy a bottle of Taittinger champagne and delicious artisan chocolates upon arrival, before unwinding and relishing in quality time together, choose to wander around the estate or perhaps even have a go at a game of croquet, tennis or pickleball.
From £540 per night, for more information and to book, please visit www.cromlix.com
- Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire
Unwind and celebrate love over a two-night stay in one of Glenapp Castle's idyllic suites. Begin with a warm welcome and a chilled bottle of Champagne, before indulging in the grandeur of Glenapp Castle with a cream tea in the Castle Drawing Room. Delight in a candlelit three-course dinner featuring canapés, coffee, and petit fours. Extend the romance with a rose-petal turndown, waking up to a romantic breakfast in bed and the luxury of a late check-out.
From £630 for two nights, for more information and to book, please visit www.glenappcastle.com
Say aye do…
Whether it is on the sandy shores of a beach, a fairytale backdrop with castle turrets, the seclusion of a walled garden, or under the leafy canopy of a charming treehouse, Scotland offers an array of locations to make for a truly magical wedding day, sure to be enjoyed with loved ones close by:
Did you know?
A humanist celebrant can conduct a wedding ceremony anywhere in Scotland, as long as permission has been provided by the landowner…this means, with the vast majority of the country available, couples can find a truly unique location for the big day.
- Cameron House, Loch Lomond
Classically traditional, unreservedly romantic, incredibly intimate all amidst impressive scenery amongst family and cherished friends, Cameron House is the perfect location for a fairytale wedding.
For more information and to make an enquiry, please visit: https://www.cameronhouse.co.uk/weddings/
- Rufflets, St Andrews
Nestled in 10 acres of award-winning gardens, Rufflets Hotel St Andrews provides an idyllic backdrop for weddings.
More couples are choosing to tie the knot with a smaller, select group of guests. Opt for Rufflet's micro-wedding format and choose from beautiful outdoor locations for a ceremony, under a tree, on a bridge over the burn, or at the sundial in the centre of the formal gardens.
For more information and to make an enquiry for intimate and larger scale weddings, please visit: www.rufflets.co.uk
- The Treehouses at Lanrick, Perthshire
Hidden away on the banks of the River Teith on the edge of the Trossachs National Park, Lanrick is within an hour's drive of both Edinburgh and Glasgow. The stunning grounds on the banks of the river make for an incredible location to host a secluded wedding.
Lanrick also offers a range of activities to make for a truly unique wedding experience, with a woodland sauna - offering Swedish massages, bike hire for the group, local transport, foraging trips, and riverside BBQ experiences.
For more information and to make an enquiry, please visit: www.lanricktreehouses.co.uk/treehouse-wedding-scotland
- Busta House Hotel, Shetland
With its breathtaking landscapes and unique charm, Shetland offers an unforgettable backdrop for a wedding. Busta House Hotel is full of ambiance and history. With beautiful views, a private pier, and a garden boasting a canopy of matured trees (a Shetland rarity!), couples and their loved ones will capture beautiful memories at this intimate venue. For more information and to make an enquiry, please visit: www.bustahouse.com/weddings
If looking to tie the knot in Shetland, why not have a Shetland pony ring bearer? A whole new level of horseshoe luck for the big day!
Mini moon inspiration
Following the big day, those looking for a short romantic break after tying the knot (otherwise known as a 'mini moon') can check out the following for a range of favourite hotspots across Scotland for inspiration: www.visitscotland.com/inspiration/mini-moons
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