Winter Wedding Wonderland

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so grab your hat and scarf and join Zoë Boothby on a tour of Scotland’s cosiest winter venues

Given the choice, I would hibernate. Like a lot of people, I find the colder months really difficult and struggle to leave the cosy cocoon of bed: going to work when it’s dark, coming home when it’s dark – it’s just depressing. What we need to do is inject more joy into the season – and this is why, contrary to popular opinion, winter is actually the perfect time to host a wedding. Our Scottish summer might be limited, but the long, light evenings alone are enough to keep our spirits up. It’s as the year draws to a close, with the accompanying chill and frost it brings, that we need the endorphin boost of being in a room with the people we love (and a free bar doesn’t hurt). With this in mind, we chatted to some of the country’s premier venues to find out what makes them sing in wintertime.

BOCLAIR HOUSE

If you’re entering the 2020s still fantasising about the 1920s, make tracks to Bearsden’s Boclair House, an Art Deco dream that would impress Gatsby himself. You’d fit right in wrapped in a faux-fur stole, but you might be surprised by how affordable this vision of sophistication can be, thanks to the Manorview Group’s Timeless package. Available across the group’s portfolio of venues, the all-inclusive offer is valid from October until March, and covers 50 guests for a three-course dinner, plus extras like a wedding cake and flowers, all for as little as £3,950. “Winter weddings are that little bit different, and when Boclair is surrounded by frost and snow, it takes your breath away and makes the day truly magical,” promises wedding and events co-ordinator Jennifer Diamond. Be there in a jiffy, old sport. www.boclairhousehotel.co.uk

ÒRAN MÓR

There’s a lot to be said for winter in the city: what’s more enjoyable than stealing away from the cold for a warming glass of red in a steamy pub, surrounded by patrons filled with the goodwill of the season. If you’re similarly inclined, you’ll likely have frequented one of Glasgow’s top watering holes, Òran Mór, which doubles as a stellar wedding venue. Sitting at the top of Byres Road in the west end, this former church hosts scores of weddings each year, but it really comes alive in the chillier months, when the interior gets a fantastically festive makeover. “Our couples are welcome to use our candelabras, which create the perfect cosy and Christmassy vibe, as well as our in-house coloured up-lighting, which can be personalised to meet your colour scheme,” explains the venue’s Pauline Muir. Plus, with a 15% discount on weddings between December and March, you’ll have more dolla to splash on celebratory Bucks Fizz, wethinks. oran-mor.co.uk

ACHNAGAIRN CASTLE