shellyrogersrennIt’s the beginning of your fairy tale. The love of your life has asked you to marry them and you said. “YES!”
There is so much to do between the proposal and the marriage. So many things to consider. Will you marry locally or abroad? Invite all your family and friends or sneak away on a secret rendezvous and elope? How much do you have to spend? Will you take your honeymoon straight away, or rather wait until a more, let’s say, timely and convenient moment? There is so much to ponder. But one thing for sure, you are excited because this is the beginning of your true love ever after fairy tale…and you want your wedding day to be perfect.
The beginning of my story
My husband, Derek, was born in the Scottish town of Dunoon. Dunoon is located on the Cowal peninsula on the western shore of the Fifth of Clyde. He moved to the U.S. as a child around the age of 12 and has lived primarily in California ever since. A limited amount of his family resided near, but Derek’s heart has always been in Scotland.
I, on the other hand, have moved from one side of the U.S. to other and abroad. I have family living in Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida and friends scattered like the wind from Washington State to the far corners of Tennessee.
After Derek’s proposal to me in front of Cinderella’s Castle at Disneyland, we began to look at venues for our own wedding. First we looked to the sun drenched coastlines of California where the sea breeze delights all of the senses, then looked again at the breath-taking scenery of the surrounding vineyards with their rolling hills and dazzling colors. As it turned out, the expense of traveling to California would be too great for most of our out of state family and friends. So we decided on a planned elopement/honeymoon in Scotland.
Destination: Scotland
And so it was decided. We were to wed in Scotland. But where?
Scotland holds a mystical lore. Whether you are drawn to its breath-taking scenery; old castles sitting below skies that seems so close that you could walk into the gates of heaven, the glorious and glamorous cities like Edinburgh (pronounced “EDD-in-buh-ruh” or “EDD-in-bruh”) or Glasgow (pronounced “Glas-gho” or “Glas-gha”), or if you have an inkling to touch the magical world of Harry Potter by riding upon the west Highland Railway aboard the Jacobite Steam Train, known to movie goers and readers alike as the Hogwarts’ Express, one thing for certain, Scotland has something for everyone.
I can tell you that the only thing I knew for sure was that the wedding would take place in the beautiful lands of my soon to be husband’s heritage know as the Highlands. The Highlands are located in the northwest, mountainous region of Scotland, to which Loch Ness (and that water monster we all have heard of) is at the near center. And the search for the venue began.
Our choice, The Isle of Skye
After much time and consideration, as well as reviewing pricing and availability, we decided upon Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye.
Armadale Castle is a stunning, romantic ruin with 40 acres of gardens and woodlands. There is a fascinating museum that goes over its rich history, a library and archives, gift shop and dining with bistro food and drink that you can enjoy both inside the restaurant or in their lovely outdoor setting.
The people at Armadale Castle are beyond AMAZING. They assisted us with finding photographers, bakers, even the piper. In all actuality, amazing just doesn’t suffice. And then, if the grounds, the room, the wonderful service weren’t enough… we had an added bonus of having what I like to call “framily” (friends that are so close they have become family) drive the 160 miles from Dunoon to Armadale Castle to join into our ceremony. (Gentlemen you know who you are~ thank you again) which only goes to show Scottish hospitality at its finest.
The Isle of Skye is wonderous, magical island, fully accessible by car from the mainland via the Skye Bridge or by ferry port. It has a rich history filled with Clan Battles, the Jacobite Rebellion, and even dinosaur fossil discoveries. It is a truly breathtaking paradise filled with glens, waterfalls, mountains and beaches as well as captivating wildlife that can be seen on or around the island such as eagles, red deer, otters, seals and whales. In addition, as you may or may not already know, legend has it that fairies inhabit the island. If you venture to the Isle and enjoy a good hike, be sure to check out the ethereal fairy pools or one of the many other intriguing and mysterious places where the locals say that fairies dwell. Perhaps with a wee bit of luck you will catch a glimpse of the fairies at play.
In addition to the fairies, the Isle of Skye is also home to about 10,000 people. Historically, the Isle was bound to the Clan system, of which the most famous Clans were the MacLeods and the MacDonalds. The names MacLeod and MacDonald literally translate to be “sons of Leod” and “sons of Donald” and was the name given by the Clan leaders to their descendants and followers. The ruins and gardens of Armadale Castle of Clan Donald made a beautiful and dramatic backdrop to our wedding.
My top 6 reasons why you should choose Scotland
Reason #1: With so many castles you can’t help but feel like a Disney Princess (or Prince)
My, oh my! There are so many options! There are more than a 1,000 castles in Scotland and close to 100 castles in the Highlands alone. Some are occupied, some turned to glamourous hotels, and others in varying states of disrepair. Each spell-binding castle is steeped to the brim with its own unique and captivating history. The very air around them whispers their romantic, heroic secrets. If you listen close enough perhaps you will hear their enchanting songs on the wind, be called to dance in their gardens, and allow your soul to drink in the mystery and mystic that resides within each one.
If you are a Disney fan, or a hopeless romantic. A castle wedding will truly set your heart aglow. And with the surrounding surreal scenery of Scotland, you can’t go wrong.
Reason #2: Location, location, location
From Scotland’s stunning harbors and seaside towns to the towering mountains with their weathered and wild cliff sides, rolling hills, enchanting lochs and castles, to both historic and modern cities…Scotland packs an amazing punch with hidden gems awaiting to be discovered around each corner.
Containing nearly 800 small islands, Scotland is located in the northern third of Great Britain and is part of the United Kingdom (UK). Bordered by England to the south it’s a hop, skip and a jump from Scotland to England, Wales and/or Northern Ireland.
There are numerous regions in Scotland, each with its unique attributes and traditions giving visitors a different experience throughout.
Reason #3: Hospitality
Scotland welcomes you. The country is world renowned for its kind and generous people and unbeatable hospitality. The Scots have a way of making you feel at home. They love to share and hear a story, are quick to smile and love to party. Sub-sequentially, Scotland outperforms the rest of the UK in attracting visitors to its many attractions, epic scenery and remarkable guest experiences.
The Scots are authentic and honest. They are driven to personalize Scotland’s rich history, heritage and cultural attractions for you. Due to their inclusive nature, Scotland was the first country within the United Kingdom to fully embrace humanist weddings, making it a hot-spot for both traditional and non-traditional couples to wed.
Reason #4: Celtic style
There are many reasons why you may decide to wear Celtic attire for your wedding. Not only is Celtic fashion beautiful and glorious fun to wear, but it also has a perpetual, classic feel and it can be personalized to match the ambience of your desired wedding vibe.
If you are a fan of the Starz original series, Outlander, then you already know how sexy a person in a kilt can be. Anyone who weds in Scotland can opt to wear a kilt. Unless your Scottish heritage dictates you to don your family tartan colors, you can choose whichever you prefer, and there is a general tartan that looks very nice. There is a joke that asks, “What is the difference between a kilt and a skirt?” and the answer being, “You don’t wear anything under a kilt.” In reality, the difference lies in both in materials used and the traditions behind them but there is some truth in the joke. A kilt, together with a Prince Charles jacket and vest, a sporran, kilt hose, flashes and ghillies makes for quite a handsome groom.
If the dream of the bride has always been to wear a long white gown, be assured you can easily do so and still maintain the feel of the Celtic wedding. Brides in Scotland have worn a variety of colors, so if you want to let your artistic aura shine through, let it shine! It’s your wedding so wear what you want! Many brides opt to wear a tartan sash in the color of their soon to be spouse as a symbol of joining the new Clan.
Reason #5: Tradition
Wanting to add some luck to your wedding? There are many Scottish and Celtic traditions to choose from which will add luck and a bit of pizzazz as well. Below are just a few:
Men traditionally wear a full kilt in their tartan colors representing the Clan to which they belong. A tartan sash in the colors of the groom’s tartan may be offered as a symbol of the bride joining the new Clan.
Heather flowers are often seen as protection and good luck and is especially popular in Scotland. Made from the stems of natural heather, unique and imaginative cufflinks may be just what your attire calls for.
A luckenbooth, as shown in the lower right corner, as well as pinned to the sash to the left, has a romantic history dating back to the 1700’s. It is most commonly in the shape of two interwoven hearts which symbolize love, topped by a crown which symbolizes loyalty. It is often given to mark engagement, love, friendship and affection.
Who hasn’t heard the classic wedding poem, “Something old, something new, something borrowed something blue and a sixpence in your shoe“? But did you know that the tradition stems from superstition and that since the 1400s on the back of the sixpence is depiction of the Scottish thistle? Scottish people see the thistle flower as bringing luck and fortune. After 1967 sixpences were no longer minted, hence perhaps you have heard this popular rhyme using the word penny instead of sixpence.
And, what would a traditional Scottish wedding be without a piper? Bagpipes date back thousands of years to Egypt and the ‘pipers of Thebes” but are most commonly associated with the Scots. The shrill music is quite hypnotic, soulful, and primal. Regardless of your ancestry, a good piper on a well tuned pipe, can stir within you a sense of history, longing and lore.
Reason # 6: Wonderful food and drink
One of the fastest growing sectors in Scotland is the food and drink industry. You may hear the Scottish refer to food and drink as “scran and bevvy” and, to be certain, there are wonderful things to appease the appetite and quench the thirst. With so much farm to table food for the offering, you certainly won’t leave the table hungry.
Scottish seafood is renowned around the globe for both quality and versatility. Fresh fish such as salmon, haddock and cod are caught in abundance off the west coast and numerous other species can be found both in open waters as well as the lochs; shellfish such as mussels, oysters, prawns, langoustines, scallops and crab are fished by creel, hand dived, cultivated or rope grown throughout Scotland and are universally sought after for their delicate sweet flavors.
For those with a more carnivorous appetite, organic beef, lamb and pork are readily available as well as wild boar, traditional mutton, venison and poultry. Beef production makes up 26% of Scotland’s agricultural productivity and it prized for both quality and taste.
If you are among those who don’t consume animal products at all, Scotland can be somewhat a challenge, but do not dismay. There is a growing population of Scot vegans and therefore plant-based restaurants, and most restaurants do offer a wide variety of non-animal based foods. But, if you are uncertain, it’s best to ask the chef.
If your travels take you near Loch Leven and you enjoy seafood, be sure to stop at Loch Leven Seafood Café. The location is stunning, the service is friendly and the prices are reasonable. Feast on the shellfish platter. It is fresh, plentiful and sublime.
At nearly every turn in Scotland you can find a local pub. They are usually quite lively with a good selection of Scottish beers, stouts, ales and whisky. Imported varieties are also readily available. The Bothy Restaurant and Bar in St Augustine near Loch Ness serves offers great pub fare and is a lovely place for a dram of beer and a quick bite.
You just can’t leave Scotland without having eaten fish and chips. Ask a local where the best “chippy” in town is and you’ll have a meal worth licking your fingers over. The Scots use haddock instead of cod and dip the fish into a light batter before frying. Although similar to cod, haddock’s mild flavor, firm flesh and moist texture is, in my opinion, the best fish for fish and chips.
If Scotch Whisky is more your speed, follow the River Spey from the sandy beaches of the famous Moray Firth coastline to the dense forests and through the eastern Highland’s mountain range Cairngorm along the Malt Whisky Trail. You’ll experience fine dining, adventure sports and come to know why the Scots refer to whisky as the Water of Life.
In short
Although some people may disagree, destination weddings can be a wonderful experience and these were just a few of my reasons why I think Scotland makes an excellent choice. What are your thoughts? If you or someone you know was married in Scotland, I’d love to hear about it.
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