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Thirlestane Castle, wedding venue in Lothian & Borders, UK
Wedding Venue
Wedding Venue
5.0(3)

Thirlestane Castle

Thirlestane Castle, Gifford, Lothian & Borders, TD2 6RU, Lothian & Borders, UK

Guest capacity
2 to 200 guests
Per person from
Request pricing

About Thirlestane Castle

Thirlestane Caste is nestled in the breathtaking Scottish Borders, just 40-minutes south of Edinburgh. It’s one of the oldest and finest inhabited castles in Scotland, where royalty and distinguished guests have been entertained since the 16 th century. Thirlestane sits in the heart of the Lauderdale Estate, surrounded by mature woodland and the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders. For the ultimate experience, enjoy Thirlestane Castle exclusively for several days with additional activities and delicious dining options to create a once in a lifetime unforgettable memory. The Castle’s pink sandstone turrets, dramatically decorated rooms, rustic spaces, and peaceful outdoor locations, make Thirlestane the perfect setting for your authentic castle wedding. Only a small number of couples get the privilege to say “I do” at Thirlestane each year, allowing our team to get to know exactly what your dream day entails and creating bespoke celebrations every single time. Packages and capacity Whether it be a three-day extravaganza with activities and experiences or an intimate low-key elopement, Thirlestane Castle is a memorable wedding destination. Thirlestane offers a range of wedding packages for you to choose from, including: Exclusive Use (40 - 100+) Intimate Exclusive Use (2 - 40) Elopements Spaces & Accommodation The castle’s dramatically decorated State Rooms, rustic Vaulted Cellar and unique outdoor spaces including the Cobbled Courtyard, former Rose Garden and The Terrace, allow you to stage your celebration in a variety of ways. F rom the grand and experiential, to the intimate and elegant, l et your vision come to life at Thirlestane … Stay in o ur uniquely designed castle suites, which sleep a total of 18 people. Each suite is tastefully decorated to a 5-star standard, with antiques and artwork from the castle’s collection adding a touch of history and elegance. In addition, guests can stay amongst nature in our Sustainable Woodland Lodges which are set in the tranquil woodlands surrounding Thirlestane Castle. Run on renewable energy, they each feature their own hot tub and can be booked out exclusively, to accommodate up to 3 0 guests . We can also provide details of local accommodation for additional guests. Services You’ll receive access to our extensive list of award-wining suppliers. These are the best-of-the-best caterers, musicians, florists, wedding cake makers, photographers, car suppliers – you name it, we’ll have a contact – that will help bring your special day to life. We provide a range of furniture and props to enhance your day including, 100 wooden chairs, easle, PA system, use of piano in drawing room, festoon lighting, fire pits, lawn games and hurricane vases with pillar candles. There are a range of ways to personalise your wedding and add that WOW factor. From extending your stay, to helicopter landing facilities and pyrotechnic displays, the possibilities are endless. We understand that not every couple likes to be hands on with the details, we can connect you with a full-service wedding planner. Thirlestane Castle’s experienced wedding co-ordinator will support you to turn your wedding dreams into a reality. Contact them today for more information on packages and our spaces.

Gallery

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Styles & facilities

Historic
Marquees and tents
Landmark
In the country
Castle
Unique weddings
Stately home
Outdoor license
Civil ceremony licence
Wedding coordinator
Accessible facilities
Corkage option
Overnight accommodation for wedding couple
Helipad
Exclusive use
Evening reception facilities
Alcohol licence
Car parking
Seated meal facilities
Buffet meal facilities
Marquee available
Private catering allowed
Overnight accommodation for guests
Horse baraat permitted
Pet-friendly
Confetti permitted

Reviews

5.0(3)5/5 from 3 couple reviews

5/5 review

MrsJune 2026

5.0

ur wedding at Thirlestane Castle was intimate, meaningful, and more special than we could have imagined. With only my brother, sister-in-law, and our two nieces present, the day felt deeply personal — as though the castle itself stood as quiet witness to our vows. We first discovered the castle during my ancestry journey while tracing my maternal lineage to the Maitland/Lauderdale family. Learning that our marriage would begin in a place so closely tied to my heritage felt profoundly symbolic. Standing on those historic grounds stirred something far deeper than admiration — it felt like stepping into a living story centuries in the making and honoring it in our own way. The grandeur of the castle is breathtaking, and its sense of history unmistakable. As a private family home with such a distinguished and carefully preserved legacy, there is something especially meaningful about celebrating a new chapter of that extended story within its walls. We were deeply aware of the generations who have shaped its halls and grateful for the opportunity to mark our beginning in a place that so clearly values tradition and continuity. While the setting itself is extraordinary, the people who care for it are what made our experience truly memorable. Monica, Barry, Mrs. Anne, Courtney, and Mr. Eugene welcomed us with warmth, professionalism, and a genuine sense of pride in the castle and its history. Their thoughtful attention ensured that every detail of our small ceremony felt seamless and meaningful. For us, it was not simply about the setting — it was about belonging to the narrative in our own quiet, modern way. In a space defined by heritage, our intimate ceremony felt both humbling and significant. Our time at Thirlestane Castle was not

5/5 review

LaurenJuly 2018

5.0

My husband and I were married at Thirlestane Castle this past June. We first discovered Thirlestane Castle online and instantly contacted them to see what it would entail for an international couple to be married there. I quickly heard back from Rhona and worked with her over the months to create the best wedding day and venue we could have imagined. We stayed in the Lauderdale Apartment at the castle for our wedding and it was an exceptional place for us to get ready at, and enjoy our time after our wedding. Rhona made our day so easy and smooth and took

5/5 review

KellyMay 2006

5.0

THIRLSTANE CASTLE IS TRUELY THE FAIRYTALE CASTLE OF SCOTLAND! AWESOME IN EVERY WAY! A WOMANS DREAM COME TRUE! IT'S PERFECT IN EVERY WAY! AS THEY SAY ABOUT AMERICA, GOD HAS SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE! I CAN SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT THIRLSTANE CASTLE, GOD HAS SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE!

Frequently asked questions

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