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A castle atop the moody, sweeping cliffs of Stonehaven? Check. Game of Thrones location? Check. Fantastic and memorable wedding venue? Double check!
Not only does all of this, plus the stunning sea views, make for a gorgeous backdrop, but a Dunnottar Castle wedding offers so much more than just a scenic location.
Photography by Wildling Weddings
Where is Dunnottar Castle?
This Medieval-era fortress can be found some two miles south of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.
Situated atop an impressive 160-foot clifftop that overlooks the roaring waves of the North Sea, Dunnottar Castle can be found along the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail on the north-east peninsula of the country.
Just 20 miles from Aberdeen International Airport, this venue is accessible for those coming in from overseas, as well as other areas of the UK.
Dunnottar Castle History
Fans of the hit series, Game of Thrones, will recognise Dunnotter Castle as a show location, but the factual history of the castle is just as rich and tragic as the fictitious story.
Like many ancient locations, Scotland has borne witness to many bloody battles and civil, political, and royal unrest.
For one thing; the vast rock the castle rests upon is said to be a 440-million-year-old volcanic cliff – a rock formation that is known in the geometry world as a ‘pudding stone’, owing to the many pebbles and resin giving the appearance of a fruitcake.
Archeological findings from the area have painted a picture that the location served as a fort long before the castle was built, with artifacts being discovered that indicate a Pictish presence that could date all the way back to 5000 BC.
Fast-forward to 400 AD and Christian missionaries, including St. Ninian, were said to have taken claim of the area and began the early formings of the castle (as a place of worship), and converted any remaining Picts to Christianity in the process.
Some 500 years later, the Vikings entered the chat, and they proceeded to wipe out King Donald II, who resided at the castle, and destroyed many of the buildings in the area.
Photography by Wildling Weddings
The Medieval period was particularly prolific and bloody for the area, much of which was at the command of William Wallace (immortalised by Mel Gibson in the movie, Braveheart), who was said to have shown no mercy on anyone in the land and set fire to the nearby chapel and drove many individuals off the cliffs, leaving no survivors.
Then the English got involved – and so did the Pope! But that’s a whole other story. The bottom line is, this area has seen some Oscar-worthy drama!
From the 13th century through to the early 18th century, Dunnotter Castle witnessed much royal, political, and religious unrest, including a civil war and the Jacobite Uprising, which saw much of the fortress destroyed and gutted to ‘a shell’.
It wasn’t until 1717 when the distinguished Lord and Lady Cowdray stepped in to purchase the castle and begin an expansive and much-needed restoration that the wounds the castle had endured began to heal and the fortress had new life breathed into it.
Once completed, Dunnotter was opened to the public and remains this way still.
Dunnottar Castle Game of Thrones
You don’t need to be a die hard Lannister fan to understand why Dunnottar Castle made for an ideal location for the popular HBO series, Game of Thrones.
Eagle-eyed fans will have spotted the castle in season 8, episode 5 – ‘The North Remembers’.
Given the show’s Medieval nature, it is easy to see how the dramatic and colourful history went hand-in-hand with the show’s themes and aesthetics.
Dunnottar Castle Elopement
Although the fortress has a vast and sometimes brutal history, it is also visually stunning inside and out and makes for a super romantic place to tie the knot!
Also, don’t be fooled into thinking that just because the castle is expansive that it only caters to large-scale weddings – it doesn’t!
You’re more than welcome to indulge in an intimate and peaceful elopement with a minimal headcount.
This venue really does have it all – an epic castle, rugged clifftops, a nearby beach, and an archaic and super romantic set of stone chapel ruins – all within a half-hour drive of Aberdeen City.
Despite being an impressive size, the castle can only host a maximum of 60 people – hence why it is ideal for elopements and microweddings.
As for holding your ceremony at Dunnottar Castle, couples can say their vows within the refined walls of the Castle Drawing Room – or indeed, outside within the exterior grounds (weather permitting, of course!).
Photography by Wildling Weddings
Once you book your Dunnotter Castle wedding, you will be assigned a dedicated wedding coordinator to oversee and orchestrate your wedding or elopement to make it as unique and special as you and your partner are.
Those planning on having a clifftop ceremony will need to bear in mind that even in the height of summer, Scottish weather – particularly at an elevation of 160 feet with the sharp north winds whipping about – can be unpredictable and, well, downright unruly!
What we mean by this is dress accordingly – a tartan or faux fur wrap can be a stylish and practical accessory.
And be prepared to high-tail it into the castle if the heavens decide to open up or the winds become so strong that your mother-in-law’s fancy hat goes sailing off into the sunset!
We also recommend sensible footwear for to-ing and fro-ing outside – maybe keep your stilettos just for walking down the aisle or even just the photoshoot.
For those umm-ing and ahh-ing as to whether the castle is the right venue for your wedding or elopement, you can visit the castle (for free!) before signing on the dotted line.
Please note that the venue does have a bad weather clause – “The Castle may be closed at short notice for safety reasons in the event of certain weather conditions, e.g. high winds and/or excessive snow and ice. Before setting off to the Castle, we advise you to visit the Met Office website to check the weather conditions in the Stonehaven area.”
Dunnottar Castle Wedding Photos
Photography by Wildling Weddings
Dunnottar Castle From Stonehaven
As we mentioned earlier, Dunnottar Castle is a mere two miles from Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.
The journey is approximately six minutes by car along the A975 – and for those who want a hiking wedding – the 2.5-mile walk along the Coastal Tourist Route can be a particularly charming walk in the summertime!
Dunnottar Castle Photos Inside
Photography by Wildling Weddings
Dunnottar Castle Parking
Good news – Dunnottar Castle has free parking available for couples and wedding guests – you will need to pop the postcode ‘AB39 2TL’ into your Sat-Nav to locate the car park.
Be mindful that the parking area is small, so vehicle sharing is encouraged, and that there is no ‘designated’ pick-up or drop-off spot.
Venue Hire Information
Please contact the castle’s customer service to discuss venue hire costs and availability, and be mindful that the Dunnottar closes its doors annually on the following dates:
17th, 25th & 26th of December 2025 and 1st & 2nd of January 2026.
Dunnottar Castle Accommodation
Although the castle has been preserved to house weddings and corporate functions, it does not offer overnight accommodation, so couples and guests will need to stay elsewhere.
Some of the best and cosiest nearby options include:
Dunnottar Cottage
Located in the seaside village of Stonehaven, this characteristic and super quirky cottage allows couples to wake up to the sight, sound, and smell of the fresh sea air.
This spacious and cosy cottage is a fully-equipped self-catering spot featuring two bedrooms and a bathroom, as well as a quaint courtyard, free Wi-Fi, and is a four-minute walk from the nearby Carron Beach.
Sunnyside Apartment
The aptly-named Sunnyside Apartment in Stonehaven is a light and airy slice of seaside heaven.
Couples can enjoy the privacy of this one-bedroom retreat, while being suitably located near local village amenities.
Take advantage of the free parking, free Wi-Fi, fully-equipped kitchen, and TV with streaming services. Oh, and feel free to bring your four-legged friend along with you, as the accommodation is pet-friendly.
The Ship Inn
It doesn’t get more quaint and picturesque than this harbourside B&B, which dates all the way back to 1771!
Guests can enjoy the rustic cosy rooms, all of which feature an en-suite bathroom, as well as modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a tea/coffee maker, and flat-screen TVs.
The inn features a bar and restaurant that serves locally sourced fresh produce, as well as many whiskies from nearby distilleries. And by ‘many’, we mean over a hundred different malts!
What can we say?! The Scots take their whisky very seriously!
FAQs
Those with Historic Houses memberships may visit the castle for free (when not booked for a wedding or private function). However, non-members will be expected to pay a small fee to enter the building.
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