Scottish Wedding Traditions

Do you dream of having a traditional Scottish wedding? There’s a lot to Scottish culture when it comes to getting married, and there are plenty of Scottish wedding traditions to consider …

Our Favourite Scottish Wedding Traditions

Before the Ceremony

The bride traditionally gives the groom his wedding shirt as a gift, known as the ‘wedding sark’. In return, the groom also gifts the bride her wedding dress.
When the bride leaves her house on the way to the wedding, she should exit with her right foot forward to prevent bad luck.
As the bride steps into the car, her father throws a handful of coins for the children to collect. This tradition, called the ‘wedding scramble’, is believed to bring about financial good fortune.

During the Ceremony

In the traditional ‘wedding walk’ to the church, a fiddler leads the wedding party to the church. Behind the fiddler, the groom walks with the maid of honour; behind them, the bride walks with the best man.
Tying the knot – literally! For many years, Scottish brides and grooms would each provide something to tie together. A rope, a scarf, a piece of cloth (usually in their clan tartan), anything. During the ceremony, the couple would tie these two things together in a knot to represent their union (known as the ‘handfasting ceremony’) and then keep it after the wedding as a symbol of their marriage. Many couples have their knots framed and mounted in their homes. The ritual of handfasting is where the phrase ‘tie the knot’ originated.

After the Ceremony

The married couple leaves the church followed by the best man and the maid of honour. Traditionally, it is lucky for the procession to cross running water twice.
If you’re on a tight budget, you could have a ‘penny wedding’. This traditionally means the guests bring their own food and drinks to the reception, while the bride and groom spend more on the wedding cake.
After the legal proceedings, the wedding party sip from the Scottish Quaich, or ‘loving cup’. This is a two-handled silver or pewter bowl, often inscribed with the date, that the bride fills with whisky (or, nowadays, anything else the couple prefers). Once the couple have both drunk from the Quaich with both hands, they then pass it around so that everyone can have a dram.
Paying the piper, but not in a negative sense! In Scottish tradition, it is lucky to have a piper at your wedding, especially at the dinner after the ceremony. Bagpipes are thought to drive away evil spirits, thus protecting the newly married couple and blessing their marriage with good luck. However, you must always pay the piper for this to work. It is usually the groom who toasts the piper and pays him, in this case, with a dram of whisky from the Quaich.

Where Will Your Wedding Take Place?

If you want your beautiful Scottish wedding to take place in the perfect fairy-tale setting, we have also talked about why you should have it in a castle.

If you’d like to have the perfect Scottish castle wedding at Barcaldine Castle, visit our Weddings page.

Scottish wedding couple

Set in a picturesque location, Barcaldine Castle is on the banks of Loch Creran. There’s so much to do!

Don’t take our word for it, see what other people have said about their stay

    
 
 
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   John Jackson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The castle was amazing, over the top. Highly recommend the experience if you’re looking for a true Scottish Highlands castle accommodation.
  
 
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   Melissa Hornyack 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My husband and I stayed in August when we were in Scotland for our wedding. This was the most beautiful and enchanting place. We took lively strolls to the lake, pet farm animals, totally relaxed and felt at peace. We only spent 2 nights but we will be back for a whole week to explore all of Oban and the islands. The service from Patrick and Cecilia was 5 star: Cecilia makes an amazing breakfast. This was my absolute favorite place we stayed in our 16 day trip to Scotland.
  
 
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   Laurie Smart 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Where do I start? We booked Barcaldine Castle for exclusive hire from the 10th-13th of October, 2025. On Saturday the 11th, my husband and I tied the knot with 35 of our closest friends and family in the cosy great hall. I cannot put into words how fantastic our experience was. From the very first e-mail exchange back in January, Patrick and Caroline have made us feel so special and looked after. They treated us like royalty through-out our stay, welcomed all of our guests with open arms and pulled all the necessary strings to make sure our wedding ran flawlessly while we kicked back and relaxed. I can't fault anything. Food was amazing, rooms were gorgeous and always spotless, service was out of this world. Highly HIGHLY recommended Barcaldine castle to anyone who wants a cosy wedding, or even just a cosy getaway. We hope to make a tradition of coming back for our anniversaries. Cannot wait to see the place and all the gorgeous staff again!

Thank you!! // Laurie and Jacob 💗
  
 
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   Lisa Gibbs 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow what can I say Barcaldine castle is absolutely stunning breathtaking the history the location the interior of the castle I felt honoured to be able to have my wedding day within a perfect setting me and my husband felt like royalty and Patrick and Cecilia are the most amazing couple and the rest of the staff  were fantastic really did go above and beyond there duty to create a perfect day all my guests spoke so highly of them all and they really did look after me and my family I definitely highly recommend everyone to stay and experience Barcaldine castle and to book for your perfect wedding ❤️❤️❤️
  
 
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   Craigstours 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A quirky and fascinating bed and breakfast which is fairly unique in its design! The stairs are most definitely not for anyone with infirmity! Altogether an exceptional accommodation but you must have a vehicle as it’s not close to anything!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
  
 
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   Brandy Careri 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Patrick and his wife were so warm, helpful, and accommodating. The castle is beyond beautiful and they made so many personal touches that made it feel luxurious but also comforting. Breakfast was delicious and the rooms were clean and cozy. Our stay there was a higher highlight of our trip to Scotland and we would 100% stay here again!
  
 
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   Darren Utley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A stay at the castle is a must do if you are in the area. It is a perfect blend of history and comfort. Patrick and his wife are amazing hosts, they could not be more accommodating and the Scottish breakfast was top-notch.
  
 
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   JULIE MACKAY 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great place, we renewed our vows there.

Scottish Wedding Traditions

Our Favourite Scottish Wedding Traditions

Before the Ceremony

During the Ceremony

After the Ceremony

Where Will Your Wedding Take Place?

Set in a picturesque location, Barcaldine Castle is on the banks of Loch Creran. There’s so much to do!

Luxury Bed and Breakfast Guest House in Argyll

Airds Room

Argyll Room

Barcaldine Room

Breadalbane Room

Caithness Room

Lochnell Room