Winton Castle
9.6 nr Edinburgh, Scotland
Overnight Accommodation
Sleeps 20 guests in 10 rooms. Optional accommodation for a further 34 guests
Tucked into the heart of East Lothian’s sweeping countryside, 15th-century Winton Castle sits on a tranquil estate of ancient woodland, parkland walks, and serene rural beauty. Just a short drive from Edinburgh and 45 minutes from the international airport, it provides an idyllic setting for weddings of any scale, from intimate gatherings of 40 to grand celebrations of 250 guests.
The castle’s history is intertwined with sovereigns and storied figures—from Henry VIII to Mary Queen of Scots—and it remains a family home to this day. At Winton, every aspect of your wedding can be tailored to your wishes. Guests enjoy exclusive access to the east wing and surrounding grounds, a tapestry of manicured lawns, walled gardens in year-round colour, and woodland walks offering endless photo opportunities.
At a Glance
- Just a few miles from Edinburgh
- Flexible event spaces for intimate celebrations or larger weddings up to 120 guests
- Outdoor ceremony options in stunning gardens or a marquee for up to 250 guests
- Tailored menu planning prepared by expert chefs
- Signature evening entertainment, estate activities and experiences including Highland Games, whisky-tastings, field sports, Scottish culture and wellness sessions
- Pre-wedding celebrations with ‘Night Before’ dinners, barbecues and gatherings
- 10 castle bedrooms sleeping 20 guests with 3 estate cottages sleeping an additional 36 guests
‘Intimacy on a Grand Scale’
Winton offers a minimum two-night stay for up to twenty guests. With its family-friendly atmosphere, roaring fireplaces and a warm Scottish welcome, it excels at intimate celebrations. The seven historic reception rooms, generously proportioned and richly decorated, feature fine period details, grand fireplaces, and clusters of upholstered antique furniture, providing timeless spaces for guests to gather, relax, and celebrate in style.
Your Wedding Ceremony Options
Elegant Castle Rooms
Winton Castle can host civil, humanist or religious ceremonies in the intimate Drawing Room for up to 100 guests. The Drawing Room features a grand piano, magnificent fireplace, and ornate ceiling, exudes sophistication. French doors open onto a balcony with sweeping views of the loch, terraced gardens and surrounding estate.
Exchange Vows Outdoors
If the Scottish weather smiles upon you, an outdoor ceremony can take place in the beautifully manicured walled garden - a 2-acre former kitchen garden enclosed by ancient stone walls and bursting with seasonal colour. Alternatively, the terraced gardens provide a breath-taking backdrop of the loch and estate.
Your Drinks Reception
Step through the castle’s grand entrance, where a roaring fire welcomes your guests, and continue to the Octagon for drinks beneath its magnificent cupola, offering sweeping views of the castle’s roofscape and chimneys.
For a more intimate experience, the Library provides a cosy retreat, perfect for savouring a dram amidst exquisite artworks and ornate ceilings.
Explore the Grounds
After the nuptials, guests can wander the elegantly carved pathways, relax in intimate seating nooks, or enjoy scenic woodland walks. Adjacent to the castle, the Croquet Lawn invites guests to try classic lawn games such as croquet or boules - or add a touch of adventure with axe-throwing. Meanwhile, the terraced gardens offer a romantic setting for raising a glass and celebrating your day in style.
Your Wedding Dinner
At Winton Castle, your wedding dinner can be as formal or informal, as intimate or grand as you wish. The castle’s expert chefs and caterers craft memorable menus from the finest locally sourced ingredients. Every wedding is individually tailored, and you’ll be invited to a complimentary menu tasting, where questions and feedback are welcome.
The elegant, richly hued Dining Room, with its gold-framed mirrors, hanging portraits, and beautifully draped windows, hosts up to 100 guests. Candelabras woven with foliage stretch along the tables, with dappled light glistening on crystal glassware and silver cutlery, illuminating the exquisite plasterwork ceiling above. Combined with the adjoining room, the castle can accommodate up to 120 dining guests.
Marquee Weddings
A marquee can be installed on the Croquet Lawn, accommodating 250 guests or more for both your ceremony and wedding dinner, ensuring a magical backdrop for your special day. The set-up allows a seamless flow between your reception and the historic castle surroundings.
Whether in the Dining Room or marquee, your bespoke celebration space can be styled to suit your vision, with banquet or round tables.
Evening Celebrations
With all rooms accessible throughout the day and evening, Winton Castle can host up to 200 guests for an evening reception. As night falls, the Dining Room provides a beautiful backdrop for your first dance, cake-cutting with a sword, and lively dancing. Those wishing to relax can gather by the fire in the cosy Library.
Should weather permit, the grounds offer additional dining possibilities. The Croquet Lawn and Walled Garden have hosted everything from medieval hog roasts and handcrafted pizzas to street food bars - or simply a hearty breakfast roll.
At the heart of the castle, the Octagon serves as a vibrant reception space with an in-house bar team ready to craft a full selection of drinks, including signature cocktails created by mixologists for a truly memorable touch.
Activities and Experiences
A range of activities can be enjoyed across the estate, whether on the morning of your wedding or during a stay the day before. Options include clay-pigeon shooting, axe-throwing, falconry, 4x4 driving and Highland Games. Guests can also try Highland dancing, learn the bagpipes, or unwind with yoga or a sound bath.
For the evening, add a memorable touch with fire pits, sparklers, or fireworks over the castle (available November to March), or host a whisky bar in the Vaulted Cellar for a distinctly Scottish finish.
The Night Before
The night before your wedding is the perfect chance to relax and soak in the castle’s magic. Enjoy a cosy family dinner, a formal rehearsal, or a relaxed barbecue - the choice is yours.
For a more informal vibe, the Potting Shed in the Walled Garden provides a charming setting with fire pits and sweeping castle views. Add a touch of Scottish fun with Mini-Highland Games, a country dance lesson, or whisky-tasting.
Accommodation
Winton Castle welcomes up to twenty guests across ten bedrooms. Six are ensuite, while the others have private or shared bathrooms. Spread over three floors, the rooms are colourful, spacious, and beautifully presented with heritage shades, grand four-poster beds, roll-top baths and high ornate ceilings.
Castle guests enjoy a continental breakfast on the morning of the wedding and a full Scottish breakfast buffet the following morning.
Additional Accommodation
The estate features three luxurious self-catering country houses, sleeping an additional 36 guests - ideal for families or groups of friends attending your wedding. The retreats are just a five-minute drive from the castle, with transfers provided throughout the wedding.
Prices
Winton Castle offers a luxurious and private setting for your wedding, available on an exclusive-use basis with catering priced separately depending on your chosen menu options.
As a Guide:
- Prices start from £10,450, based on a one-night package.
The exclusive-use rate includes full access to the castle and grounds, with 10 bedrooms for up to 20 overnight guests. Additional cottages on the estate can accommodate up to a further 34 guests.
Get in touch and we’ll help you create a celebration that’s unique to you!
Packages
- 2-night package from £18,500 (based on 30 people)
- Suitable for up to 100 guests
- Exclusive use - you'll have the property to yourself!
- 1-night package from £10,450
- Suitable for up to 250 guests
- Exclusive use - you'll have the property to yourself!
Location
Situated 30 minutes from the city of Edinburgh and 45 minutes from its international airport, Winton Castle occupies a stunning countryside setting in East Lothian. The estate is conveniently close to the A1, the City Bypass and Scotland’s motorway network.
The estate is itself a fabulous space to explore and experience and, should you wish to venture further afield, it is within close travel to picturesque sandy beaches, historic sites, cultural attractions and many famous golf links.
Reviews
9.6
From a planning perspective, this was probably the least stressful event we’ve organised. You and your teams were so friendly and accommodating, and nothing seemed too difficult. It’s such a beautiful venue and you really made the day memorable.
A line to say how much we enjoyed our day at Winton last week. Feedback from delegates mentioned that this was the best leaders awayday yet. The setting clearly inspires people and I have no doubt that this will be a location that we will use in future. My thanks to your amazing team – nothing was too much trouble for them.
The dinner and overnight stay was used as a means for participants to get to know each other better in relaxed surroundings. The venue is easily accessed and the quality of hospitality has always been fantastic, with guests made to feel extremely welcome and the catering never disappointing. The castle’s ambience is very relaxed, with all the members of staff and family members being very hospitable and welcoming. In planning the event, Julie was, as always, extremely helpful as the point of contact.
I just wanted to send an email to say, on behalf of Parity, a huge thank you to yourself, and to the Winton team for hosting us for our event this year. Our employees were blown away by the venue, as I’m sure you saw from all the selfies they were taking around the castle. The Piper welcoming off the coach was a lovely touch. “The courses (and address to haggis) were delicious, thank you to the chef and kitchen. The murder mystery was brilliant and a great addition to the night- the actors were fantastic and I know some of our staff really put them under pressure with their interrogations! The wait and bar staff were also fantastic, and by the looks of things, they seemed to be enjoying themselves too which was lovely to see- I know some of our staff provided some entertainment! My CFO also noted that even at the end of the night, you were looking after us, by making sure the last of the coats made it onto the bus and not forgotten. So thank you for everything, it was the perfect evening to end our ‘away day’. If we didn’t like to do something different every year, I’m sure we would have no hesitation returning to Winton in the future.
We recently hosted a corporate gala dinner at Winton Castle and were absolutely delighted with the experience. From the moment we arrived, the staff made our guests feel welcome - everyone was warm, smiling, and genuinely attentive. The service throughout the evening was prompt without ever feeling rushed, and every detail seemed to be handled seamlessly in the background. The food was another highlight: beautifully presented, full of flavour, and served piping hot to a large group. It’s clear the team takes real pride in what they do. The setting itself is stunning, but what stood out most was how well the staff looked after our guests. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Winton Castle for any high-profile or special occasion.