YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED
​QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Let us start with finding us! Our address is Cluny Castle, Sauchen, Aberdeenshire, AB51 7RT

Cluny Castle is situated in tranquil Aberdeenshire countryside and hidden from view by over 200 acres of beautiful landscaped parkland. A world apart, yet so easy to get to, it is perfectly located; only 35 minutes from the Aberdeen city centre, 25 minutes from Aberdeen airport and within easy access to tall major Scottish road and rail networks. You may find this detailed map and directions useful or alternatively, google maps will bring you to the front door although please do be aware that sat nav usually takes you in through the back entrance to the castle!

WHERE TO FIND US

Cluny Castle is perfectly located; only 30 minutes from the Aberdeen city centre and 20 minutes from Aberdeen airport, with its easy proximity to the transport links of Aberdeen and yet a sense of complete seclusion, it provides an ideal environment in which to entertain.  
We are so looking forward to welcoming you to Cluny Castle!
 
We have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions which will help you with the early stages of planning, however we appreciate that you may have more questions and that is okay. Please do get in touch and we will be delighted to help you with these.
How many people can the castle accommodate?
​Our beautiful and unique Chapel can seat up to 120 guests for a ceremony.

The intimate Dining Room & Drawing Room can accommodate up to 24 guests.

The Tenants Hall can seat up to 94 guests for dinner and dancing or up to 150 for dancing if an additional marquee is erected.
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Or for larger weddings over 94 guests, we have several sites within the stunning grounds for a marquee, all of which enjoy the magnificent backdrop of the Castle.
How many guests can stay overnight?
​We have 13 double bedrooms accommodating 26 guests. 2 additional z-beds are available for small children but must be booked in advance.
Can we stay the night before the wedding or extend our stay after the wedding to make a weekend?
​Yes of course you can, however it would be subject to availability. The majority of our guests choose to stay the night before the wedding as well as one or two nights after, so that they can make the most of their wedding weekend. Cluny Castle is hired on an exclusive use basis and we are very happy to tailor a bespoke package designed specifically for you and your requirements. Please contact us to discuss your plans in more detail and we will be very happy to help you. 
What time is arrival and departure for guests?
​If you are staying the night before your wedding, your guests are welcome to arrive from 3pm. The bride and groom are more than welcome to arrive earlier with prior agreement if set up is required. Departure is at 12noon.
What is the recommended timeline for a wedding at Cluny?
​Throughout the planning of your wedding we will work with you on the timings of your day to ensure that they work perfectly for you, your guests and the time of year you are getting married.
If we do not require all of the bedrooms, would anyone else be staying?
​No. Cluny Castle is private home and is hired to you on an exclusive use basis.
Will there be anyone from Cluny Castle to help on the wedding day?
​Absolutely. Our dedicated wedding planner will be with you from the very beginning of the planning process to help and guide you through every aspect of your wedding. We will also be on hand for the duration of your stay and throughout the wedding day itself to ensure everything runs smoothly and is as planned from start to finish.
Is the castle suitable for smaller, more intimate or elopement weddings? ​
Absolutely! Although we can accommodate large parties, the house can also be set up to have a more intimate feel and lends itself beautifully to small weddings. If you are interested in an intimate/elopement wedding, then please get in touch for a bespoke quote.
Can I hire the house for a wedding ceremony only? ​
Yes you can, however this is only possible for weekends between October and March or midweek between April and September.
If we have our ceremony in the Chapel does it have to be religious?
The Chapel is private and is not on consecrated grounds therefore is not bound by any specific religious faiths. This means that we can conduct any type of ceremony you prefer, whether it is religious, humanist, civil, interfaith or same sex.
Is there anywhere else in the Castle other than the Chapel that we can use for our ceremony?
Yes, we have the Tenants Hall, the Drawing Room, the Entrance Hall or several beautiful locations within our stunning grounds. Please contact us and we can chat through the options with you in more detail.
Can I use my own choice of suppliers? ​
​We are very lucky to have worked with some incredible suppliers over the years which has resulted in us creating a much loved recommended suppliers list to help you plan your perfect day. Please do get in touch if you are looking for something specific and we will be able to advise on which companies may suit your style the best.
Do we need wedding insurance?
​Wedding insurance might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to starting your wedding planning journey, however it makes sense to make sure that you are protected. No matter how well you plan your wedding when the unexpected happens you want to be prepared which is why we always recommend that you invest in wedding insurance to cover you for every eventuality.
Are dogs allowed?
​We love dogs at Cluny and are very dog friendly when it comes to weddings. The only request that we have is that their access is restricted to the Chapel and the West Wing only and they are not permitted within the main public rooms or bedrooms in the castle itself. We have had several dogs in the past that have played very important roles in a wedding, they are after all part of the family! 
Do you have WiFi?
​We always recommend that you tuck away the technology when you arrive at Cluny so that you can make the most of your time spent at the castle with family and friends. We do however understand that modern life requires connectivity, so we are happy to provide guests with WiFi (please note that coverage is not available in some locations of the castle).
Do you have disabled access at the castle?
​We can provide disabled access to the ground floor of the castle including the Chapel and the Tenants Hall. We are however unable to offer any disabled access to the upper floors of the castle.
Is there other accommodation in the local area for those guests who are not staying at the castle?
​Yes. As we are located only 25 minutes from Aberdeen city centre, there are a number of hotels in the city that guests can stay at if they want to make a weekend of it. Alternatively there are a number of hotels in the local area that we can also recommend. Please do get in touch to discuss in more detail.
What are your prices?
​We would love to send you a copy of our Wedding Brochure with further information and prices. Please contact us directly or fill in the enquiry form and we will be very happy to get back to you.
Can you recommend a taxi service?
We can of course recommend a number of companies based both in Inverurie and Aberdeen and we strongly advise that you please book your taxi before the wedding evening where possible to avoid any lengthy delays. Last orders are at 11.45pm for midnight finish and 12.15am departure.
Do you have parking on site for guests?
​Should you wish to drive yourself to Cluny Castle, we are very pleased to be able to provide parking for guests for approximately thirty cars.

PERFECT FOR ANY EVENT

DISCOVER CLUNY CASTLE

Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss your event at Cluny Castle in more detail or make an appointment to personally experience everything that we have to offer. You can be sure you will always receive a very warm welcome and we would be delighted to help you!

KIND WORDS

“Cluny is a beautiful venue, a fairytale like castle which all of our guests and family adored and rave about now. Our wedding was frankly perfect, one of my sister even said it was “Magical” and I think it’s mainly due to the wonderful team of people that helped us on the day. Starting with Fiona, who was adorable and helped so much with the planning and on the day itself and really made the day go so smoothly. The owner Cosmo was just as lovely. He shared his family home with us and we never felt anything but at home thanks to his warm welcome. We were surrounded with love and kindness which was honestly the best feeling ever. Thank you all for making our day so special.”​
- Lorene & Nikolaus
Photograph by Hayley Palmquist Photography

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