Best Scottish wedding venues for summer — a wedding filmmaker's perspective

We are slap bang in the middle of summer right now which is always one of the busiest times of year for me and after years of filming across the country, I've come to love summer weddings for so many reasons. The days are so much longer, it’s (usually) warmer and everything just feels like you have more time and room to breathe.

If you're planning a summer wedding for next year or beyond, in Scotland, and you're thinking about venues, have a wee read through this blog. There are so many amazing venues out there but I wanted to highlight a few that I find particularly special and why they make such amazing backdrops to a wedding or elopement.

What makes a great summer wedding venue in Scotland?

Before I get into specific venues, it's worth talking about what I'm actually looking for when I film a summer wedding. 

Space is probably the biggest thing. It’s great when guests can wander around the gardens or outdoor areas and the light is amazing, or there’s a room for a couple to have a moment away from the crowd. These quieter moments matter enormously on film. A venue that feels expansive on a summer's day gives me so much more to work with. 

It doesn’t always have to be outdoors though, as you know, Scottish weather can be highly unpredictable - we’ve even had a few heat waves this year where people have been genuinely grateful for the shade (not just the shelter!!) Good indoor options still matter, even in July. A venue with well-considered indoor and outdoor flow is the ideal.

And then, as I mentioned before, there's the light. In summer, golden hour in Scotland can stretch to 9pm or later. That last hour before the sun drops is, honestly, some of the most amazing light I've ever filmed in. If you're choosing a venue, think about where the sun sets in relation to the outdoor spaces. It matters more than most people realise.

Three venues I'd point any summer couple towards

Crear, Argyll

Crear is absolutely one of my favourite venues! It sits on the Kintyre peninsula, with its own beach, uninterrupted views across to Jura, and sunsets that are incredible. The opening shots of my showreel were captured there, which tells you something about how it looks on film.

What makes it work so well for summer is the combination of outdoor and indoor space. You're never forced to choose between the two. The beach gives you something genuinely rare for a wedding venue — a sense of real wildness, right on your doorstep. And when that Argyll light hits the water in the evening, on a nice summer day, it’s remarkable.

Coulston House, East Lothian

Coulston House is a different kettle of fish altogether. It has a more formal feel, but in the best possible way for a summer wedding. The gardens are large and genuinely stunning, the kind of grounds where guests naturally spread out and the day finds its own rhythm. You can hold the ceremony indoors or out, which gives couples real flexibility depending on the weather and both are fantastic settings.

From a filming perspective, the variety of spaces here is what I appreciate the most. There's always somewhere interesting to be, always a different angle to find. Big gardens also mean I (or a couple of us when necessary) can move around without being in anyone's way

Charleton Farm, Fife

I filmed at Charleton Farm very recently, so it's fresh in my mind. It's a newer venue, having been bought and revived by its current owners in 2020, although the farm has been around since the 1800’s! The setting is lovel… It has a courtyard with real character, beautiful gardens around the site. It has a relaxed rustic charm (with modern amenities) that suits a summer wedding perfectly.

It was incredible to have sun right through until 9pm, which gave us an extraordinary amount of time for outdoor filming late in the day. It was amazing in that farm setting too.

Other Scottish venues worth considering for summer

Every couple is different, and so is every venue and honestly it’s an absolute pleasure to have so many wonderful venues on our doorstep. It’s always hard when I write these blogs to name just a few so here are several other Scottish locations I'd happily recommend for a summer wedding:

Boturich Castle — on the banks of Loch Lomond, stunning for outdoor ceremonies with the loch as a backdrop.

The Cruin — also Loch Lomond, intimate and beautifully positioned for water views.

Newhall Estate — a hidden gem in the Pentland Hills with gorgeous grounds.

Achnagarin — remote, Highland, genuinely spectacular on a clear day.

Boreland of Loch Tay — loch-side setting with real peace and space.

Drumtochty Castle — woodland and castle in Aberdeenshire, beautiful in summer greenery.

Wedderburn Castle — impressive grounds with plenty of outdoor space for summer coverage.

And as I said, the truth is the list could go on for days. Scotland has extraordinary venues. What I'd always encourage couples to think about is not just how a venue looks, but how it feels to move through a venue across the whole day and in various types of weather because you just never know!

Summer versus winter: what actually changes

I really do love filming in both the winter and the summer and they offer completely different things.  Winter weddings are beautiful. I've filmed some of my favourite moments on a crisp cold January day or with a stormy sky as the backdrop.  

In winter, the light disappears fast which does make things a little tricker. By 4pm in December it can be dark, which means outdoor shooting has to happen early and the timeline gets compressed. You're planning around the light in a way that can feel constraining. That said, it does offer the opportunity for candle lit spaces and even a firework display!

Summer flips everything and the day stretches so you have a bit more flexibility. Outdoor ceremonies are viable, evening portraits in golden light are almost inevitable, and guests can move freely between inside and outside without anyone worrying about the weather — most of the time and that is really lovely.

Thinking about your wedding film when you choose a venue

If you're in the early stages of venue searching, it's worth having a conversation with your videographer before you commit. Not because your choice should be led by the camera, but because a filmmaker who knows the venue, or can advise on what to look for, can genuinely help you get more from your day on film or at least help you with what questions to ask a potential venue. 

I'm always happy to talk through venues with couples who are considering booking. If you'd like to chat about your summer wedding for 2027 or beyond and what might work well for film, get in touch!