Boturich Castle: Hidden Gem of a Wedding Venue at Loch Lomond
The west coast of Scotland is incredibly lucky to have Loch Lomond on its doorstep. Loch Lomond wedding venues are incredibly popular, and understandably so. That scenery, and so close to Glasgow - it just makes sense. Fortunately, there is a host of amazing places to get married along its shores.
Today I’m going to take you on a wee tour of my personal favourite - the hidden gem that is the exclusive Boturich Castle! Just past the town of Balloch and along a tiny single track road, you’ll find a tucked away Scottish Castle sitting high above the water with the most amazing views of the Loch and the imposing Ben Lomond. Looking at this, it’s very easy to forget that you are less than 30 min from Glasgow Airport.
Boturich as undergone somewhat of a face lift. No don’t panic! The Grand old lady that is the Castle remains intact (with some nice changes inside).
What I am talking about is the new purpose built pavilion. It looks stunning - both outside and inside. Loads windows - massive okay beams and neutral decor that is in keeping with its environment but leave you scope to style to your heart content. I’m so looking forward to shooting here way more in the coming years!
Boturich is a photographer’s dream - stunning grounds that shift and change with the seasons. I have been lucky enough to have been up at all times of the year (they host weddings from April to October) and it looks a little different each time. From crisp clear spring days with snow on the hills to rustic autumn vibes via bluebird days in high summer, it’s fun to rediscover it throughout the year.
I’ve always got my fingers crossed for a sunset at Boturich, as the scenery makes for a beautiful golden hour if you’re lucky enough. Outdoor ceremonies are Boturich’s specialty, but the large marquee with panoramic windows makes for a stunning ceremony if the weather isn’t kind.
On that topic, this is Scotland - so we have to talk about the weather. It does rain - not all the time, but often enough that it’s worth being prepared for. We are in luck, because we have options (planning great wedding photography is all about options) and with the use of the Castle, rain is not to be feared. The large drawing room is great for family pictures if it is windy/raining/too sunny (stop laughing it happens sometimes!) and the main stairway is beautifully lit with floods of natural light. (Side note: check out my blog post about rain on your wedding day right here.)
It’s also well worth mentioning that the wedding team, from the catering to the venue staff, each look after all of their guests with care and attention. It’s a place where guests and suppliers alike are very well looked after. And one more major selling point here (I’m not on commission, honest) - I’ve never really had bad luck with midges at Boturich! The Castle sits high on the hillside above the Loch so it usually catches a wee breeze that keeps the wee buggers at bay So if you’d rather not be eaten alive by tiny bugs on your wedding night, you could do worse than here.
