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Say “I Do” at Glen Dessary

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Tie the Knot at the Glen Dessary Estate

Glen Dessary is an exclusive-use wedding venue in the Scottish Highlands, hosting intimate weddings of up to 21 guests. With its breathtaking views of the West, including the islands of Rhum, Skye and the Outer Hebrides, it is no wonder couples choose to exchange their vows on this magnificent 15,000-acre Estate. The majestic mountains, steep high ground and panoramic views create a truly magical and romantic atmosphere for your special day.

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See Our Wedding Brochure (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

Tariff 2026 – 2027

Two night exclusive usethe couple and up to 8 guests, fully catered from £7,000
Each additional nightaccommodation and full catering included from £2,750

On the Day, and the Morning After

Argocat for the wedding partyfor a ceremony on the hill, or guests who would rather not walk £400 per Argo
Grazing table at lunchin place of canapés, arranged with the chef £750
Piper on the hillpipes the couple and their guests £500
Fiddle and guitar on the hillIain MacGillivray and his band, after the ceremony £750
Champagne on the hillsix bottles carried up to the ceremony to share £450 per package of 6
Guided hikethe day before, or to clear heads the morning after £450 per group per day
Wild swimming the morning aftera hill loch or the river, to clear your head No charge

Argocats are not included in the tariff and are charged per vehicle. Fizz on arrival is included.

Most couples take two or three nights, which leaves time to arrive, settle in, celebrate and enjoy a long breakfast the morning after. Additional nights can be arranged subject to availability. Full detail is in our wedding brochure (PDF) (opens in a new tab).

Your Big Day

Glen Dessary Estate is the perfect venue for an intimate gathering of family and friends. We can offer a variety of stunning spaces that can be tailored to your specific needs and preferences. From outdoor ceremonies surrounded by nature, to indoor receptions with breathtaking views, this is a place where you can make your wedding dreams a reality.

A groom lifting his bride high in a grassy glen between the hills

Forever and a day at the beautiful Glen Dessary Estate

A couple embracing on the rocks beside a hill river, the bride in a dark gown with a bouquet

Breathtaking Wedding Venue

Set amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Scottish Highlands, the Glen Dessary Estate offers an idyllic escape for couples looking to exchange their vows in a unique and unforgettable setting. With its magnificent mountains, sparkling rivers, and endless wilderness, this is a place where you can embrace the beauty and spirit of Scotland while celebrating the start of your new life together.

Your Unique Wedding

At the Glen Dessary Estate, we understand that every wedding is unique, which is why we offer a range of wedding layout options to help you create the wedding of your dreams. Our experienced team is here to help you bring your vision to life. With flexible catering options, and a range of on-site amenities, we're here to help you make your wedding day truly unforgettable.

A bride and groom with two friends gathered round an off-road vehicle on the hill
A bride and groom standing on a rock above a hill loch in a wide glen

Location

The Glen Dessary Lodge is located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, an area renowned for its natural beauty and stunning landscapes. With panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and rivers, this is a place where you can truly escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the magic of Scotland. Whether you're exploring the mountains on foot or by Argocat, or simply taking in the stunning views from the comfort of the Lodge, you'll be swept away by the raw beauty of this wild and untamed land.

Exquisite Dining in the Scottish Highlands

At Glen Dessary Estate, your guests will not only enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Scottish Highlands, but they will also experience the delicious local produce. Our experienced culinary team is dedicated to creating a menu that is as memorable as your wedding day. Whether you prefer a formal sit-down dinner or a casual outdoor settings, our team will work with you to craft a menu that suits your tastes and any dietary requirements.

Our ingredients include our own venison and lamb and locally sourced seafood, we have something for every palate. Our chefs can also create specialty dishes to accommodate any dietary restrictions or allergies.

A Memorable Stay

The Glen Dessary Estate is more than just a wedding venue, it's an experience that you and your guests will never forget. With its breathtaking scenery, rich history, and unspoiled wilderness, this is a place where you can truly escape from the ordinary and celebrate the start of your new life together in the heart of Scotland. From the moment you arrive to the moment you depart, you'll be surrounded by the beauty and magic of this incredible country, making memories that will last a lifetime.

A groom spraying champagne towards his laughing bride on the grass, in black and white

Wedding Photographs Credits and Copyright: Esme Saville (opens in a new tab) and Tyler Rye (opens in a new tab)

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A Wedding to Suit You

Every wedding at Glen Dessary is planned around the couple, not a template. These are the celebrations we host most often.

Elopements & Small Weddings

Some of our favourite weddings are the smallest: just the two of you and your witnesses, with the glen as your congregation. Exchange vows on the hillside, by the River Dessary or beside the fire at the Lodge, take your portraits against the mountains, then sit down to a candlelit dinner from your private chef. Champagne beside a hill river is easily arranged, and our team keeps its distance so the day stays yours. Elopements run from April through to November, and the same welcome extends to second marriages and vow renewals. For larger parties, we seat up to 21 guests.

A Wedding Weekend, Not Just a Day

With exclusive use of the Lodge and Bothy, most couples make a weekend of it over two or three nights: a welcome dinner as guests arrive, the wedding itself, and a long breakfast the morning after, with hill walks, wild swims and drams in between. Your party stays together on the Estate for the whole celebration.

A Destination Wedding in the Highlands

Couples come to us from across the UK and abroad. Guests fly into Inverness or Glasgow and drive some of Scotland's most beautiful roads to reach the glen, and our travel guide makes the journey simple. In Scotland there is no residency requirement to marry, which makes a Highland wedding far easier for international couples than many imagine.

Autumn & Winter Weddings

The Estate is at its most dramatic outside high summer: russet hillsides and stags roaring in autumn, snow on the tops and candlelight in winter. The log fires are lit, the kitchen turns to hearty seasonal menus, and quieter dates often bring gentler pricing too.

Whatever the shape of your day, pricing is set out plainly in our wedding brochure (PDF) (opens in a new tab): exclusive use of a country house estate, without castle prices.

What a Wedding Here Includes

Every celebration is taken on an exclusive-use basis, so the Lodge, the Bothy and the grounds are yours alone for the whole stay.

Included in Every Stay

  • Exclusive use of the Lodge and its grounds
  • Fully catered accommodation throughout
  • A private chef and hosted dining each evening
  • Afternoon tea on arrival and a Highland breakfast each morning
  • A seasonal three course dinner every evening
  • Complimentary fizz
  • The Lodge interiors and grounds for your photography
  • Planning liaison with our team
  • A housekeeper, so the Lodge stays immaculate all week

On the Wedding Day Itself

  • Full Scottish breakfast
  • Afternoon tea
  • Canapés
  • Afternoon canapés, or a grazing table in their place, arranged with the chef
  • A three course dinner from our own and locally sourced produce
  • Tea and coffee throughout the day

Menus are built around your preferences, and dietary requirements are straightforward to accommodate with a little notice. The Lodge is fully licensed.

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Wedding Questions, Answered

The things couples ask us most about celebrating at Glen Dessary. More general questions are answered on our FAQs page.

How many wedding guests can Glen Dessary accommodate?

We host intimate weddings of up to 21 guests. The Lodge sleeps up to 15 guests in seven bedrooms, and the nearby Bothy offers beds for a further 6 guests.

Do we get exclusive use of the estate?

Yes. Your wedding party has the Lodge to yourselves, set in a private location amongst the estate's 15,000 acres of mountains, rivers and lochs.

Can we hold our ceremony outdoors?

In Scotland you may marry at any location agreed with your celebrant or registrar, so you can exchange vows outdoors surrounded by the glen or inside the Lodge, whatever suits the day you have in mind. We welcome humanist and celebrant-led ceremonies, which are fully legal in Scotland, and we are glad to recommend celebrants who know the Highlands well. There is always a comfortable indoor option if the weather turns.

Is catering provided?

Yes, and every wedding stay is fully catered. A typical wedding day runs to a full Scottish breakfast, afternoon tea, canapés and a three course dinner, with tea and coffee throughout. A grazing table at lunch can be added for £750, arranged with the chef. Our chef uses locally sourced Scottish produce, including the estate's own venison and lamb, and menus are tailored to your preferences. Dietary requirements are straightforward with prior notice.

Where is Glen Dessary and how do guests get there?

The estate lies at the head of Loch Arkaig in Lochaber, around an hour's drive from Spean Bridge near Fort William. Our travel guide covers the journey in detail. By road it is roughly 115 miles from Inverness (about two and three quarter hours), 105 miles from Glasgow (about three hours) and 135 miles from Edinburgh (three and a half to four hours). Detailed directions are sent before arrival.

Can we have a two or three day wedding weekend?

Yes, most couples do. Exclusive use of the Lodge and Bothy is booked by the night, so you can arrive the day before for a welcome dinner, hold the wedding itself, and stay on for a relaxed morning after, all with the Estate entirely to yourselves.

Do you host elopements and very small weddings?

We do, and they are some of the most memorable days on the Estate. An elopement for two with your witnesses works just as beautifully here as a full party of 21, with the same private use of the Lodge, our chef and the whole glen.

Can we get married in autumn or winter?

Yes, in every season the Estate is open, which is 16 January through to 30 November. Autumn brings the stag rut and fiery hillsides, while late autumn and early spring mean log fires, candlelight and snow on the tops. Quieter months often offer better value on Estate hire too. We close from 1 December to 15 January, when snow regularly cuts the glen off.

How much does a wedding at Glen Dessary cost?

A two night exclusive-use stay starts at £7,000 for the couple and up to eight guests, fully catered, with additional nights from £2,750 including accommodation and catering. Because you take the whole place rather than pay per head for a grand venue, many couples find it compares very favourably with castle and hotel weddings. Full detail is in our wedding brochure (PDF) (opens in a new tab).

Can we bring our own photographer, florist and celebrant?

Yes. Couples are welcome to bring their own photographers, florists, celebrants, hair and make-up artists and musicians. We are also happy to recommend trusted local suppliers who already know the glen and the drive in.

Is there mobile signal and Wi-Fi?

There is no mobile signal at the Lodge, which is part of being somewhere this remote. Wi-Fi is available throughout, so you can still be reached if you need to be. Most couples and their guests come to enjoy the disconnection.

How far in advance should we book?

Popular dates, particularly between May and September, often book twelve to eighteen months ahead. Earlier enquiries are always worth making, and quieter dates outside high summer can sometimes be arranged at shorter notice.

Do you work with wedding planners?

Yes. We work with destination wedding and elopement planners, and support the planning process with venue guidance, logistics, suggested ceremony locations and supplier recommendations. Planner visits can be arranged by appointment.

How do we check dates or find out more?

Send us an enquiry using the form below, or download our wedding brochure (PDF) (opens in a new tab) for pricing and planning details.

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Add Some Highland Magic

Iain MacGillivray playing fiddle beside a guitarist on the open hill at Glen Dessary, with the mountains behind
Photograph by JP, Abrightside Photography (opens in a new tab)

A Piper on the Hill

A piper to walk you up, pipe you in, and play as you come back down. Nothing else sounds quite like it against fifteen thousand acres of open ground, and your guests will remember it long after they have forgotten what anyone wore.

Fiddle and Guitar, After the Ceremony

Iain MacGillivray and his band play traditional Scottish music on the hill once the ceremony is over, while the champagne goes round and the photographs are taken. Iain can also take the evening at the Lodge, before dinner or long after it.

Both are subject to availability and are charged in addition to your wedding tariff. Prices are shown in the tariff above.

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Contact Glen Dessary

Say "I do" to a lifetime of memories at the Glen Dessary Estate in the Heart of the Scottish Highlands

Please enquire using the form below.

Send Us an Enquiry