In this issue of Community Update, we are delighted to honour Oxenfoord Castle with our Commitment to Excellence Award.
Oxenfoord Castle is a quintessential Grade I Scottish wedding venue in Midlothian, Scotland, 30 minutes from the capital Edinburgh.
Steeped in fascinating history, the tower house was built in the 16th century, inherited by Lady Dalrymple in the 18th century and transformed by the famous neoclassical Scottish architect: Robert Adam in the 1780’s.
Owners Hon. Michael and Harriet Dalrymple have lovingly restored the castle to its former glory and have been hosting weddings for over 27 years.
“We offer personalised bespoke weddings to couples from all over the world, looking for a fairy-tale Scottish wedding. Many have Scottish connections and like to book bagpipers to lead the wedding procession, followed by traditional ceilidhs in the evening; though we have had weddings of all faiths and traditions” explains Event Manager Extraordinaire Harriet Dalrymple
The lucky couple can choose between a traditional church wedding at the nearby Victorian Crantoun Church, indoor ceremony in the dining room, overlooking the croquet lawn; drawing room resplendent with gold leaf ceiling or even weather permitting outside in the gardens.
“We can cater for religious, civil or humanist weddings. We can seat up to 150 guests in the house and our 66 acre parks and woodlands are perfect for capturing romantic photographs on the day. The Bride may enter down the impressive main stairwell and our interior rooms burst with history, incorporating fascinating 16th to 21st Century portraits.”
The wedding couple have exclusive hire of the venue and with limited numbers of weddings throughout the year, this is not a ‘conveyor belt’ wedding venue, rather a traditional wedding, for a special couple in picturesque grounds.
During the late spring months, rhododendrons burst into colour on the estate and later, the rose garden provides a romantic backdrop for arrival drinks. The formal terraced gardens were designed in the 19th century and wrap around the castle. The Broad Walk provides a tree-lined processional walk between the castle and neighbouring church, the Sequoia trees forming a green canopy in the summer months.
Expert local caterers can provide a flawless, bespoke evening menu, ensuring the wedding party dine like Royals. There is even self-catering accommodation within the castle parks at Cranstoun, Riddel (only 1), sleeps up to 12 and the Garden House sleeps 6. Both have been recently refurbished to a high standard of comfort
“Overnight guests can expect to see a range of local wildlife from deer, hares, pheasants, to summer-migrating birds such as swallows and house martins. It really is enchanting and gives the perfect ending to a fairy-tale wedding, in a historical castle,” concludes Harriet.
For a private viewing, please contact the Castle directly. The castle can also be hired for corporate events, gala dinners and charity evenings.
T 01875 320844