Castle Roy

About

Castle Roy is a beautifully preserved 12th-century fortress set on a glacial mound near Nethy Bridge, offering a unique and atmospheric venue for intimate celebrations. With walls standing 25 feet high and largely unaltered over centuries, this authentic Scottish castle provides a remarkable backdrop for weddings and special events. The grounds feature the Matrimonial Meadow with a large flat area suitable for marquees, natural woodland pathways, wildflower areas, and a pond. Whether hosting ceremonies within the castle walls or in the surrounding grounds, couples can celebrate within one of Scotland's oldest unchanged castles while supporting the Castle Roy Trust's preservation and community mission.

Castle Roy works less like a wedding venue and more like a historic site you borrow for the day. It is cared for by the Castle Roy Trust and there is no hire fee as such. Couples are asked instead for a fair donation towards upkeep, electricity and water. Inside the walls is an open courtyard of roughly 80 by 53 feet, and the castle stands on the B970 about a mile outside Nethy Bridge on the road to Grantown.

Because of Scottish marriage law, the castle needs no licence: any registered celebrant, whether religious, humanist or otherwise authorised, can marry you here. Some couples hold the ceremony in the Old Kirk next door and walk over to the castle for drinks or the reception, and the trust can close the site to visitors so your ceremony stays private.

Everything else is yours to arrange. There is very little permanent shelter, so couples bring in tents, gazebos or marquees, with the Inner Courtyard and the Bard's Bowl suiting smaller structures and the Matrimonial Meadow taking larger ones. Catering is down to you too, and the trust points to local options such as Good Highland Food, Speyside Kitchen and The Forest Cafe, which between them cover anything from burgers to a full banquet. Toilets can be hired in through an arrangement with Deveron Loos, and there is easy access for caterers and plenty of parking. With approval food and drink can be locked in the office overnight, though glass is not allowed on site.

The honest caveat is that this is a do-it-yourself wedding in the Highlands, with no accommodation on site and very little permanent shelter, so a good weather plan matters and guests will need to book places to stay nearby. If you would rather not run it all yourselves, the trust mentions Speyside Events and Wide Sky Weddings as planners who know the site.

What makes it special

• Authentic 12th-century Comyn fortress—one of Scotland's oldest unchanged castles of its type
• Dual venue options: ceremonies within historic castle walls or in the Matrimonial Meadow with marquee space
• Restored grounds with natural woodland setting, wildflowers, and scenic pathways for an enchanting atmosphere

Features

Venue style

Location