I loved photographing this beautiful intimate Scottish wedding at Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven. Although I have been fairly frequently to Aberdeenshire, I hadn’t yet visited Dunnottar Castle prior to Alan and Gillian booking me for their wedding.

I’m a big fan of carrying out a recce, so I can scout around and get a feel for the layout. I like to know where I can go, my backdrops, my backups, and what to expect. In the case of Dunnottar Castle, this meant anticipating 219 steps. Afterward completing the trek, I felt like I’d attended three HiT classes back to back. I made a point of visiting Dunnottar Castle for a day out to get a feel for the location.

Small Castle Wedding in Scotland

Dunnottar Castle is a pretty amazing setting for a wedding. However, it does require suitable footwear for all those steps, cobbled paths and grass. Located on the cliffs of the North East coast, sensible clothes for the haar or the cold North Sea winds are also a must. This is the sort of location that floaty summer dresses for country estates and Pimms just won’t cut it.

Scottish weddings of course, even in summer, can be notorious for not giving you the summer sunshine you otherwise expect. Again, anticipation was key here, and I loved the blue sky lining of the umbrellas that the groomsmen used. If you’re going to need a brolly, invest in one with style.

Tollbooth Museum reception

Despite the damp weather, we were still able to enjoy an outdoor ceremony. Afterwards we decamped inside for some drinks and signing of the register. As the rest of the guests departed for the Tollbooth Museum by the harbour in Stonehaven, I remained with Alan and Gillian. We were able to take some additional photographs through the castle grounds and along the beach with it’s dramatic cliffs and rocks.