Scot AnSgeulaiche, The Storyteller, Scottish Master of Wedding Ceremonies in the Highland Celtic Tradition. HandFastings, Jumping the Besom, Dress, Storytelling and Blessings. Based in Argyll, travelling the world

Celebrate your wedding in beauty!

at a National Trust for Scotland property


The NTS have some of the most pristine and authentically Scottish venues you'll find. We are working exclusively with them to provide unique weddings in unique venues. Having your wedding at one also supports a Charity that cares for Scottish culture, environment and architecture.

The Hermitage, near Dunkeld, Perthshire

It's a great location for a wedding-in-nature. The Autumn colours are some of the best in Scotland. The Hermitage has two sides: venues such as beneath the mature trees, beside the river or gorge, on the old stone bridge by the waterfall. And then it has Ossian's Hall, a fantastic folly or summerhouse overlooking the falls that NTS have just brought up to its former glory, yet in a modern-old-fashioned way. It's fantastic. It holds about 20 people. The Hermitage was created in the 1800s by the Duke of Atholl to comemorate the ancient Celtic bard, Ossian, so poetry is everywhere. The access to most of the Hermitage and the Hall is on level, well made paths, suitable for wheels so all guests can partake in a very in-the-wilds wedding. Dunkeld and Birnam are nearby for reception and accommodation.
Services offered: Handfasting
Ben Notley 01350 728641 Visit the NTS Hermitage page

Alloa Tower, near Kincardine

In the 1500s, there were many 'Tower Houses' in Scotland, now there are only a few. Alloa is the real-deal and little altered since the Earls of Mar had it. The Great Hall, offers a period ambience for your ceremony and gathering of about 40 people, with the option to have Tales of the Castle and Highland weddings past as would have entertained the Earls 300 years ago. The sweeping staircase can provide the setting for some lovely interior wedding photos of you and your family.
Services offered: Handfasting, Storytelling.
Visit the NTS site
Alison Fraser 01259 211701

High Hall at Culross Palace, near Kincardine, Fife.

This wee room must surely be unique in Scotland - low, wooden ceilings and oak panelled walls, low light and intimate atmosphere almost untouched since the 1600s, really! As such, we offer Scottish traditions to compliment the setting. The High Hall can accommodate about 20 people, for both ceremony and also for the reception, which we can also preside over. The steep, terraced, south-facing kitchen garden gives a very pleasing place to hear traditional Tales of weddings past during the photos, as I move into my other role of Highland Storyteller. The village of Culross, set on the Firth of Forth makes for a beautiful walk and photo setting. There is ample accommodation locally, adding to a very relaxed event. Services offered: Handfasting, MC, Storytelling.
Visit the NTS Culross page
Bill Lessels 01383 880359

Falkland Palace, by Glenrothes, Fife.

I find Mary Queen of Scots a very enigmatic character and Falkland gives a real sense of her everyday life of hunting, games in the garden, Royal Tennis and devotionals. A wedding here can bask in that atmosphere. All the spaces are outdoors, with marquee: The Oak lawn is very beautiful for small parties, while the May blossom in the apple orchard makes a festive setting for larger parties. You might even meet Mary and her courtiers, out hawking, as you wander the gardens.
Services offered: Handfasting, MC at Marquee reception, Tales of Mary Queen of Scots in between.
Visit the NTS Falkland Palace page
01337 857397

Kellie Castle, Fife,

There is a strong Jacobite history here. The two very different venue spaces Kellie Castle provide, mean that we can offer a Highland Laird's Handfasting marriage ceremony in the Drawing Room for up to 80, or a delicate, natural ceremony outdoors, in a pristine organic garden orchard with Jacobite themed borders. For larger parties, a marquee is set in front of the castle with a view of the Firth of Forth and the Bass Rock. While some guests are taking part in Photos, others can be enjoying Tales of Weddings Past in the arbours of the garden or the James VI library. The reception is where I offer Highland Master of Ceremonies, Fear an Taighe, to entertain the guests, call the dances and open the speeches.
Services offered: Handfasting Marriage Ceremony, Master of Ceremonies at the reception, Highland Storytelling in between.
Visit the NTS Kellie Castle site
Sinclair Williamson 01333 720271

Inveresk Garden, Musslebrugh (outdoor)

It's just 20 minutes from the Centre of Edinburgh, yet in a lovely garden setting, amidst fine 1700s architecture. The walled, sloping garden of 5 acres offers a number of glades for a small, intimate, Handfasting Ceremony in the Scottish Tradition, created around your desires. We particularly like the fanciful seats and arbours that Inveresk offers to create a 'held' space for the Handfasting ceremony and for the photos after.
Services offered: Handfasting
Peter (Head Gardener) 0131 6651855 Visit the NTS Inveresk site

Priorwood (outdoor) and Harmony Gardens, Melrose

Melrose sits beneath the Eildon Hills that the witch Michael Scott "twisted in tae three" peaks. The two National Trust gardens flank Melrose Abbey (cared for by Historic Scotland). The whole town emanates medieval history, beauty, romance and mystery. There is something Arthurian about the juxtaposition of ominous hills and the apple orchards that both gardens have. Harmony also has a fine house, which offers two beautiful period rooms for a ceremony, overlooking the garden. A wedding party up to about 18 can also stay in the house and it's nearby cottage. For a lovely touch, the gardens can supply dried and fresh native, seasonal flowers for the wedding and organic vegetables for the accommodation. All this adds to the homeliness of the whole event.
Services offered: Handfasting Marriage Ceremony, Master of Ceremonies at the reception, Highland Storytelling in between.
Paul Forrest, Prior Wood 01896 822493 Priorwood Harmony Garden

Culzean Castle Gardens (outdoor)

Culzean, a grand estate of 600 acres set on the west coast, has more outdoor venue spaces than we could list! You will be spoiled for choice as each setting is unique, with some spaces intimate and sweet and some stately. Among our favourites are The Camellia House (covered), a small enclosed arboretum, the Fountain Lawn and the cliffs overlooking a beautiful ocean and beaches. There are fantastic photo opportunities for your album with this incredible castle as your grand backdrop. Many of the sites are easy access, in formal gardens, and many are more wild and natural. With marquee and in-house catering, we can help to enhance your celebration as Master of House to entertain and guide your guests through the reception with Scottish Traditions.
Services offered: Handfasting Marriage Ceremony, Master of Ceremonies at the reception, Highland Storytelling in between.
Visit the Culzean NTS page David Heron 0870 1181945 The Culzean Experience site

How to enquire about an NTS property?

Use the links and contact details to contact the property managers directly. Let them know that you'd like a Handfasting with Scot and Sam of Highland Blessings. The managers can also put you in contact with Marquee hire, caterers etc for each area. Contact us as well! These are just some of NTS properties we can perform our services at for a fuller list visit this page and use the drop down menus to search.