There are many self-catering castles and mansions where you can get married in Scotland and Forter Castle in Angus is one of them.  It lies in beautiful Glen Isla, within breathtaking landscapes.  A single stronghold L-shape tower, destroyed in 1650, a mere 110 years after being built and only restored in 1990 using traditional material and craftmanship.

It is hard not to fall in love with the location.  It is romantic and miles away from the buzz and fuzz of the city and yet, within its dexterously restored medieval decor, encased within thick stone walls, you will find all the luxury of modern living.  No wonder it is such a popular place for weddings! On a commercial photo-shoot for Beatriz Custodio-Strachan, the florist designer hired to provide floral arrangements for the wedding, I truly felt like a child in a sweet shop.  With such a wealth of photographic opportunities, it was hard to restrain my excitement and simply stick to the job.

Forter Castle has its own chapel, near the entrance.   The chapel has a very cosy feel to it but can only allow a few people in during the ceremony and therefore might not be suitable for all. For larger weddings or purely by preference, the dining room seems to be another favourite place.  Weddings there are celebrated by the large stone fireplace, amongst the antique treasures on display, overlooked by the colourful and skillfully painted medieval ceiling. In fact, the whole place breathes Scotland and history with many tartan rugs, old Scottish paintings and artifacts to remind you constantly that you are in a very special place...  which makes Forter Castle the perfect place for a truly special wedding.

Outside, the manicured lawn offers a stark contrast to the wild surrounding views and with the Castle or the hills as a backdrop, there are endless opportunities for fantastic photographs.  While a  modern arrangement of garden tables and chairs offers the perfect place for a lazy drink, a relaxing chat or a sun-soaked read whenever you need it, Glen Isla has many paths for exercise and fresh air. You will leave with a wonderful feeling and take home with you many unforgetable memories and the photographs to prove it...

The word “Scotland” is truly magic. I do no know of any other name which can instantly bring to mind such an astonishing array of picturesque words, each defining Scotland in its own right: tartans, kilts, ceilidh, bagpipes, atmospheric landscapes, distinctively rich heritage, abundant folklore music, castles, stately homes, fishing villages unchanged for centuries, romantic ruins witness of an intriguing and often violent history, local craftmanship, tranquility, peace, dramatic weather, clans, highland games, heather hills, thistle, ghosts, legends, single track roads, whisky, wild life (red deers), rumbling bridges, the cup of life, Pictish heritage, Edinburgh Tattoo, Edinburgh Crystal, shortbread, raspberries, Robert Burns, Rob Roy, Robert the Bruce, Stone circles, Crannochs, broad Scottish Accent, Old Scot language... and many, many more. Scotland is nothing but timeless magic... the perfect location for a charismatic wedding never to forget!

Written by Isabelle McInally

“From the Dawn of Time we came, moving silently down through the centuries, living many secret lives, struggling to reach the Time of the Gathering, when the few who remain will battle to the last. No one has ever known we were among you, until now” Introduction to the first Highlander film, read by Sean Connery.

1986! Highlander, with Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery, took the world by storm, entrancing people with its stunning, breathtaking Scottish sceneries and fairytale castles, shelled into the long enduring tradition of clansmanship, laced with some magical myths and legends and sailing through fantasy history to finally reach our modern times for the final Gathering. Scotland's charismatic ambiance depicted in the film set people's hearts and minds on fire and they wanted more. It was an awakening in its own right to wee bonnie Scotland's magical beauty and heritage.

Highlander eventually disappeared into the dungeons of the film industry but its legacy has been amazing.

It has helped inspire many great businesses and services in the tourism and wedding industries, most presenting a highly professional yet traditional image of renowned Scottish hospitality while consistently promoting the spirit of Scotland. This has benefited the millions of tourists who since come and see Scotland for themselves.

It has also placed Scotland on the map for destination weddings and it has opened up the whole landscape as marriage locations, competing fiercely with Gretna Green.

Quite simply, Highlander has helped shape Scotland as it is today.

Highlander is only a memory now but Scotland stands, continuously providing new inspirations to people and their imagination which in turn keep transforming the tourism and wedding industry in an everlasting cycle. Amazing!

Written by Isabelle McInally