Mar Lodge – An Amazing Venue for a Wedding Ceilidh in the Scottish Highlands
The Cragganmore Ceilidh Band’s last gig in February 2020, before COVID-19 brought the first lockdown, took place in the Scottish Highlands. Cragganmore had the pleasure of providing entertainment for a wedding at the wonderful Mar Lodge. This was the ceilidh band’s first visit to this venue.
Mar Lodge is a highland hunting lodge set within the Mar Lodge Estate, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, five miles west of Braemar and 65 miles from Aberdeen. This venue is one of the historic sites owned by the National Trust for Scotland, surrounded by a stunning landscape of mountains, moorland, rivers and pine forests.
The ceilidh band performed for wedding guests, many who had travelled from south of the border – as well as Edinburgh and Glasgow – to attend the wedding. Cragganmore’s expert ceilidh dance caller made sure all guests were able to get involved, as many of the guests had never attended a ceilidh before! The wedding party had booked Mar Lodge for the entire weekend as the venue has a variety of accommodation including five luxury apartments within the lodge and two cottages and a bunkhouse close by to accommodate up to 61 guests.
One of the wonderful reasons for holding your wedding in Scotland is you can get married almost anywhere, as the wedding licence is held by the celebrant, priest or minister rather than the venue.
At Mar Lodge you can choose to exchange your vows either indoors in the Drawing room, Grand Staircase balcony or Great Hall, or outdoors surrounded by the magnificent scenery. Drinks receptions, dining and dancing can take place in a variety of rooms according to the numbers of guests. To cater for larger numbers a marquee can be erected on one of the large lawns on the estate.
Our Ceilidh band performed in the Craggan Ballroom where guests enjoyed a fun filled evening reception of ceilidh dancing. Mar Lodge is certainly a venue the Cragganmore Ceilidh Band are looking forward to visiting again. Driving from Edinburgh there are plenty of breathtaking views too.
