Secret Wedding Venues: A DUNANS CASTLE WEDDING or elopement

a view of dunans castle wedding or elopement venue from the historic dunans bridge with beautiful stone wall detail and the castle in the background peeking above the trees

DUNANS CASTLE WEDDING

Are you looking for inspiration for your Scottish elopement, but getting a bit fed up of seeing the same old places? Fear not, the Wee Wild Weddings team have got you! We’ve discovered a wee gem, perfect for an elopement in the wilds of Scotland! 

A glorious ruined castle sitting out on the Cowal Peninsula, Dunans Castle is undergoing a huge restoration project but don’t let that put you off. Trust us, ancient ruins make for amazing backdrops. There’s even a resident ghost or three who may pop up in your photographs…or so we’ve been told! 

Scottish elopement in a ruined castle

Set high on a hillside, overlooking the Allt a’ Chaol Ghlinne, this baronial style castle rises out of the woodland landscape. It’s an impressive sight and you even get an awesome view of one of the ‘Tallest Trees in the UK”. 

The Fletcher Clan arrived on the land in the early 1700s. If you’ve never heard of the Fletcher Clan then all you need to know is that an ancient Fletcher allegedly saved the life of Rob Roy after he’d been disabled by a dragon. Pretty “Game of Thrones” eh! 

Centuries later, the Fletchers rocked up to Dunans sometime between 1715 and 1745, bringing with them the huge wooden door of their previous ancestral home, Allachader Castle. They built the foundations of Dunans Castle and remained on the site until 1997 when the castle was sold and passed out of the hands of the clan. Sadly in 2001 the castle was gutted by a fire, before being taken over by the current owners, Charles & Sadie.

Argyll and Bute elopements and weddings

Dunans Castle is a real find, Charles & Sadie have undertaken a frankly massive and hugely impressive restoration project and, even though the work is ongoing, they hold weddings and elopements within the grounds.

Sadie & Charles offer the whole place out as exclusive use for weddings so you get your very own ruined castle for the day. Check out their website, you could even commemorate your union by becoming Laird or Lady of Dunans Castle (decorative titles only, just a warning before you try to take up permanent residence within the castle ruins…) 

As far as ceremony spots go you’re spoilt for choice. You could say your promises out in the grounds, with the castle as your backdrop. However we are big fans of Dunans Bridge – recently voted one of Scotland’s ten best bridges, we’re all about the fun facts today! 

It’s a really old, very cool stone bridge leading up to the castle. Overgrown with greenery and vegetation, there’s a fab view of the castle from the bridge and we can’t think of a more picturesque spot to elope. 

If that doesn’t take your fancy then you could also have your ceremony under the bridge, such a cute spot. It’s super tranquil under there with nothing but the sound of water and birdsong in the background. 

One of a kind elopement in Scotland

The grounds of the castle are stunning, wherever you turn there’s a fab view, towering trees or some kind of epic stone ruin. There’s even accommodation on site, take your pick from a romantic shepherd’s hut or a small cabin. Plenty of room for you both plus a couple of witnesses. 

Just five minutes from Dunans Castle is Tinkers Heart, a Scottish Traveller’s commemorative memorial. Legend has it that the memorial was originally placed after the Jacobite Risings of 1745. The heart shaped monument has been a popular site for weddings since the 1800s and is a great spot to head to for couple’s photos. The views out over Loch Fyne are lovely but we don’t recommend it for your ceremony, the nearby A815 can be pretty noisy!

If you want to know more about eloping at Dunans Castle? Get in touch and let’s get planning!

Want your very own Wee Wild Wedding? Let’s do this! 

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