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5 FANTASTIC PROPOSAL SPOTS IN SCOTLAND
Photo credits: Derek Prescott Photography
If you’re thinking of popping the question to the love of your life, there’s no country that offers a more wonderful array of options than Scotland.
When we help devoted hopefuls plan their proposals, we share our long list of ideas for amazing places to get down on one knee. The list is varied, with different spots appealing to different personalities and preferences – so picking a shortlist to feature here was quite the challenge! In this article we’ll share five of our favourite proposal spots to help inspire you as you select your perfect place!
1. The Bonnie Banks
Perfect for: Outdoor adventurers
Where: Loch Lomond, Stirlingshire
Why: The East side of Loch Lomond is an adventurer’s paradise. Undulating forest paths are continuously interrupted by beautiful, untouched beaches – perfect for a proposal by an open fire, followed up by a wild swim! Or if you and your partner love a bit of hillwalking, a climb up to the summit of the nearby Ben Lomond will afford you the most spectacular views. The paths on this 3000ft munro are well maintained and pretty straightforward to follow, so you won’t have to worry about navigation whilst you build up to the big moment!
Afterwards: If you want to relax and unwind, head to the Cameron House Hotel where you can enjoy their tasty menu, comfortable rooms and fabulous spa, with an outdoor rooftop pool. If you’re in the mood for more adventure, why not top off the day with a seaplane flight? Loch Lomond Seaplanes will make the day you proposed even more memorable with a spectacular flight across the loch and out to the west coast.
2. Callanish (Calanais) Standing Stones
Perfect for: History lovers (and Outlander fans who just love a stone circle!)
Where: Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides
Why: This monumental site consists of a stone circle and a stone cross formation, and is believed to date back to the Neolithic age. Over the years the site has attracted interest from archaeologists and historians from all over the world. But its remoteness and tranquillity, as well as the rugged and windswept landscape around it, make it wonderfully romantic too. There’s a sense of “otherworldliness” about these stones, which will make your proposal feel even more magical.
Afterwards: The Isle of Lewis has so many brilliant treasures to fill any historian’s cup. Within 10 miles of the stones themselves you can take in Gearrannan Blackhouse village, Dun Carloway Broch and the Norse Mill and Kiln. Or if you’re looking to hold on to that ‘otherworldly’ feeling, check out the island’s spectacular beaches. Dalmor and Dalbeag are nearby, and the stunning white sand Tolsta Beach is within easy driving distance too.
3. Dunnottar Castle
Perfect for: Geology enthusiasts (and hopeless romantics)!
Where: Aberdeenshire coast
Why: This ancient ruined castle is steeped in history – it has witnessed many significant battles and invasions, was previously the home of Scotland’s crown jewels – The Honour of Scotland, and has been visited by notable monarchs past and present, including Mary Queen of Scots. The site is a real geologist’s dream sitting on a rock formation known as a 'pudding stone' – made up of large rocks and pebbles tightly bound together. Archaeologists have found evidence of the oldest ever discovered Pictish fort just north of the castle, potentially dating back to around 5000BC.
However, you could be forgiven if you didn’t come here for the amazing geology or history…. sitting on the edge of a cliff, perched 160ft above the North Sea which surrounds it on 3 sides, the castle is set against a breathtakingly romantic backdrop. Just perfect for an unforgettable proposal.
Afterwards: Take a stroll on one of the adjacent beaches – there’s an abundance of brilliant and vividly-coloured pebbles, which are well worth a look. Within half an hour you can be in Aberdeen city centre with all that it has to offer. Why not toast your engagement in one of its well-reputed restaurants, like Café Boheme or Amuse by Kevin Dagleish? You could unwind in one of the city’s best hotels – we enjoy the Malmaison, which is a leisurely walk or short taxi ride away from both restaurants.
4. The Salisbury Crags
Perfect for: Urban explorers
Where: Edinburgh
Why: Located in the Holyrood Park, alongside the bigger and better-known ‘Arthur’s Seat’ are the gorgeous Salisbury Crags. By comparison, the Crags offer a quieter and more peaceful walk away from the crowds – you’re much more likely to find locals than tourists up there. But the smaller size and the lower footfall don’t speak at all to any diminished beauty. In fact, we actually favour this vantage point which is slightly closer to the city and treats you to stunning panoramic views. There’s plenty to distract your partner as you pluck up the courage to pop the question – the medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile leading up to the iconic Edinburgh Castle and other prominent landmarks like Carlton Hill can all be taken in.
Afterwards: Holyrood Park has so much beautiful green space on offer. In summertime it’s the perfect place to while away a few hours with a luxury hamper, some champagne and a picnic blanket. Or if you’d rather get off the hills and back into town, Princes Street is within 40 minutes reach on foot.
5. OLD CASTLE LACHLAN
Perfect for: Introverts (and foodies!)
Where: Loch Fyne, Argyll
Why: We love how desolate and quiet this little spot is, with awe-inspiring views over Loch Fyne – one of the west coast’s largest and most stunning tidal lochs. The path from a nearby carpark takes you over a little bridge and along a well-maintained footpath out to the ruins of the old Castle (with the new Castle set back, just a few acres away). The ruins themselves would be a fabulous backdrop for a proposal, but you might prefer one of the larger rocks on the shorefront, which make the perfect benches for soaking up the serenity of the water.
Afterwards: A fortuitous engagement spot for any culinary enthusiasts, the old Castle is less than 10 minutes walk from one of our favourite places to eat in Scotland. Inver, the beautiful creation of chef Pam Brunton, is a small but perfectly-formed restaurant which prides itself on the imaginative use of local, fresh produce. Whilst it has been awarded a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainable gastronomy, the ambience is relaxed and friendly. Cosy up with your new fiancé on comfy sofas, draped in sheepskin rugs and enjoy a cocktail by the roaring log fire, while you wait to enjoy a sumptuous tasting menu. After your taste buds have been challenged and tantalised, stay in one of Inver’s en-suite bothies (or Shepherd’s huts) where you can enjoy the peace and calm of this coastal paradise a little longer.
If you need some inspiration or help with planning a magical proposal, get in touch with White Heather. We’d love to help you make it extraordinary.
THE PERFECT PROPOSAL: DOS AND DON'TS
Every dream wedding starts with the perfect proposal. But the pressure of popping the question can be a lot to deal with, and what “perfect” looks like varies from person to person – some would love an extravagant and public gesture, others would prefer a low-key, intimate moment. If you’re thinking of proposing to your partner, check out our Dos and Don’ts to help you make it the perfect proposal for your love story.
THE DOS
1. Make it personal
First things first, think about the conversations you’ve had with your partner about tying the knot. What have they said about what matters to them that can help you plan the proposal of their dreams? If you’re scratching your head because you’ve never discussed the topic of marriage before, we’d strongly recommend bringing it up in a low-pressure way.
Unfortunately, some couples do miss this stage out, leaving the potential for a seriously awkward moment! Finding out your partner doesn’t really agree with marriage or wants to wait for another 5 years, when you’re down on one knee, is far from ideal!
Former White Heather groom Matt says “I wouldn’t have necessarily known how important it was to Emma for me to ask her Dad for her hand in marriage – good job we’d chatted about that beforehand, as it meant I could reassure her that I’d taken that tradition on board”.
You know your partner better than anyone – take the time to think about the things they love and how you could incorporate those into the proposal. Do they have a place that means a lot to them, or has special significance to your relationship? Do they have favourite hobbies or activities that could make the perfect backdrop? Thinking back on his proposal, former White Heather groom Tom says “I knew that it had to be somewhere connected to nature, with mountains around, because that’s always been her happy place. So I booked an excursion onto a glacier in the mountains in New Zealand when we were on holiday, knowing that’s where I’d do it!”
When it comes to thinking about what you’ll say in the moment itself, really take the time to reflect on what your partner means to you, how you feel about them, and why you want to be together forever. Then write it down and don’t be afraid to say it when the time comes. The most romantic thing you can do when proposing is to speak from the heart. When groom Ted proposed to Tracey he wrote a short story incorporating their toy mascots (a monkey and a giraffe) who’d travelled the world with them, telling the tale of how they’d fallen in love. Definite proposal over-achiever territory there Ted! But whether written or spoken, the words in this moment really do matter.
2. Choose the right ring
Most couples follow the tradition of an engagement ring, but choosing one can be tricky territory.
When planning a proposal, the language of diamonds is often totally unfamiliar. The ‘4 Cs’ – Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat – quickly become ‘5 Cs’ when you add ‘Confused’! If your partner has been fantasising about tying the knot since childhood they might have given you clues about the type of ring they’d like. But if not, it can be hard to know where to start.
Try looking at the other jewellery they own – does it tend to be delicate and subtle or larger and bolder? Do they tend to prefer platinum / white gold or yellow gold? Are there particular gemstones they love? It’s also a good idea to try and gauge their ring size – if you can sneak one of rings to a jeweller, even if it’s a ring they normally wear on a different finger, they should be able to help you guess the size of their engagement ring finger. Even if the ring needs some adjustment, it’s lovely if your partner can wear it on the day you propose. As you ponder the ring choice, why not enlist the help of one of your partner’s friends who might have inside knowledge? Just make sure you pick one with a good poker face who is good at keeping secrets!
If you’re really stuck, or feel your partner would like to choose their own ring, why not buy a temporary, symbolic proposal ring and make the bigger decision together once you’re engaged? Spouse-to-be, Jennifer, says “Becky is her own person and she loves to express herself through what she wears. I knew she’d love the idea of searching for her own engagement ring, so I bought a proposal ring for popping the question with – it actually took loads of the pressure off!”
3. PLAN AHEAD
Proposal planning is by no means as complex as wedding planning, but it is certainly worth doing decent prep work. As well as picking the right day, time and place, it’s advisable to think about other details like:
How much will your partner care about what they’re wearing and how their hair, nails or make-up look in the engagement pics?
If you’re proposing in a restaurant or on a trip, can any of the staff help you with the perfect table or seat?
What do you want the atmosphere to be like? Will you want music, candles, flowers, champagne?
What do you want the rest of the day / evening to be like? Are there any other surprises you’d like to include?
Do you want to involve any friends / family in the proposal?
Do you want to capture the moment with a professional photographer?
Any good plan always has a back-up, so have a think about what could go wrong and what your Plan B might look like – you can then remain flexible and calm if you encounter any bumps in the road.
THE DONT'S
1. Forget the bigger picture
It’s really easy to feel anxious and stressed about the proposal itself. In the grand scheme of things both the proposal and the wedding are just gorgeous parts of a journey into the main event – the rest of your lives together. Whilst you want to make the moment as magical and memorable as possible, don’t overthink and overcomplicate things.
You should also remember that life can sometimes get in the way – if you or your partner are having an unusually difficult time at work, or dealing with family problems, it’s worth asking yourself if this really is the best time to get engaged. Groom Jack recalls having to postpone his proposal “I’d planned to pop the question on Christmas Day, and then my sister announced to the family that she was pregnant. I felt like it would take something away from her and from the proposal if I did then, so I waited to Valentine’s Day!”. If something else, good or bad, could overshadow the occasion, it might well be sensible to postpone so nothing can take away the focus from the warm and fuzzy feelings!
2. RUSH IT
We always advise our wedding clients to make sure they take plenty of moments during their day to pause and take it all in. The same is true for proposing. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that essentially cements your love story so far and sets the foundation for your future. One bride-to-be told us “I feel like there are now two parts to my life, the part leading up to our engagement and then the rest of our lives together as a family”. So, however nervous you are – if you’re the one doing the proposing, take your time to enjoy it! Take a deep breath, pause, smile, look into your partner’s eyes and relish the moment.
3. FEEL THE NEED TO CONFORM
There can sometimes be huge pressure from family, friends and society in general to conform, when it comes to proposals and weddings.
At White Heather, we believe all these momentous occasions should be ‘extraordinary’ – unique and special to you. Make sure you plan the proposal for the right reasons, at the right time and in the right way for you and your partner.
If you love traditions, like getting down on one knee or asking for parental approval in advance – go for it. If that doesn’t feel relevant to you, do it your way. If you’re a woman in a relationship with a man and you want to reverse the typical gender stereotypes by proposing, what’s stopping you? If your ideal experience or engagement ring budget isn’t as extravagant as your friends’ – it really DOES. NOT. MATTER. The only thing that matters is that you both have an amazing experience and create memories to cherish forever.
If you need help creating the perfect proposal for your loved one, get in touch. White Heather’s team have all the creativity, experience and contacts to create something beautiful.
3 TOP TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED!
Photographs: Chloe Jane Wedding Photography
Niall proposed to Sarah on Christmas Day 2024 – he got down on one knee, next to their stunning 8ft Christmas tree with her favourite Michael Bublé number playing in the background and a glass of champagne in her hand. It was the stuff of romantic movies and the couple have spent the last month basking in the sheer joy of being engaged, 3 years after meeting and falling in love. But like so many spouses-to-be, as they start to contemplate the realities of planning their wedding, they have begun to feel overwhelmed. “It’s honestly so hard to know where to even start! There are hundreds of venues, photographers, florists, cake makers and musicians to choose from, reams of insta content to scroll through and we’re drowning in pinterest pictures! We feel totally stuck when it comes to what to actually do first!”
With many couples in a similar situation months after their engagement, we’ve pulled together 3 top tips to getting started with planning your dream day!
Most couples spend at least 12 months planning their big day, but we’ve also seen fantastic weddings organised in less than 6 months. If you’re newly engaged, you don’t need to select a specific date straight away – in fact, it can be a good idea to have a bit of flexibility on this. But it will help you get the ball rolling if you have an idea of the month(s) and year you’d like to aim for, and what day of the week you’d prefer.
If you haven’t yet decided when you want your wedding to be, here are some things to consider:
2. PICK YOUR 'WHERE'
Choosing a venue is arguably the most important decision you can make in the early days of your planning, because it’s the foundation upon which everything else is based. There are so many options available, we know couples often find this very overwhelming and it’s often the first time they consider enlisting the help of a wedding planner to make personalised recommendations. Here are a few things to think about that can help you narrow down the list:
Thinking about these things should help you start to pick out the most suitable options for you. We’d then really encourage you to get in touch with the venue’s manager or wedding co-ordinator. The most helpful venues will be willing to give you a virtual tour and answer any initial questions you have. This can give you a better feel of the place and the staff, before investing the time to visit in person.
3. DO YOUR 'STRESS-BUSTER' GROUNDWORK
Your wedding is one of the most significant occasions of your life and there’s no doubt that most couples find at least some elements of the wedding planning process stressful. It’s important to find ways to reduce that stress and make the experience enjoyable. Some of the groundwork you do in the early stages can set you on the right track:
Following these steps will help you set off on the right footing, before you know it you’ll have made the biggest decisions on “where and when”. This will allow you to start imagining all the different elements of your wedding in the place they’ll really happen, helping the next stages of planning to flow more naturally. You’ll feel your excitement and anticipation grow as you envision and bring to life your dream day and the start of the rest of your lives together!
WEDDING PLANNERS: 5 COMMON MYTHS
Hiring a wedding planner is not the right choice for every couple, for various reasons. But if you’re considering whether or not to invest in professional planning support, it’s important that you are fully informed. At White Heather we often hear from couples who initially decided against using a planner, only to change their mind when the reality of the planning hit home. Almost always, their initial decision came down to misconceptions about wedding planners. Here, we de-bunk the five most common myths about services like ours.
1. Wedding planners are only for the rich and famous
Whilst it is certainly true that most celebs will hire a planner to work with them in creating the wedding of their dreams, wedding planning certainly isn’t only for those with star status! Our clients come from all walks of life, but they tend to have one or more of the following reasons for seeking a planner:
2. My venue will do what a planner does
Now don’t get us wrong, there are some fantastic venues out there. In fact, we only work with the best in the business. But one of the most common myths that prevents people hiring a planner up front is that they believe the venue will do what a planner does. Great venues will ensure their event space and accommodation is set up properly, and that the food and drink (if it is provided in house) is served on time and to the right quality. They will be on hand throughout the day to deal with technical issues that relate to their property, like electricity or plumbing issues, and they’ll help make sure suppliers have what they need to perform wonderfully for you.
But the list of things a planner can do, which a venue won’t is long! Examples include: helping you figure out the best theme and styling for your wedding; giving advice on choosing your wedding gown; helping organise transport and offsite accommodation, booking your suppliers, creating an end to end event plan and liaising with all suppliers to go through every detail with them, doing a full risk and contingency plan (dull but necessary!); managing your guest invites and RSVPs; tracking your budget and sorting out payments for you.
During the event itself, your planner will have a back-up plan and emergency kit for every eventuality, and are used to solving all sorts of whacky problems and guest requirements on the spot.
Another important point to remember is that during the wedding season, venues are often booked back to back and have to focus on communicating with the couples who are due to marry there soon. This can make it tricky to get their input in the earlier stages of the planning. A wedding planner, however, will give your wedding plenty of time and attention from the moment you start planning.
If you’re considering hiring a planner but think your venue might be able to do most of the work, it’s worth asking them what they won’t do, as well as what they will. Check out our list of
services, and ask them which of these aspects they will take care of and which they’d expect you to do yourself.
3. You don’t need a planner if you trust your suppliers
One of the best ways to find trustworthy suppliers is to use an independent wedding planner. Generally, planners in Scotland only take their income from the planning fee you pay which means their preferred supplier lists consist of recommendations based on experience. Planners also tend to know which suppliers will work best together as a team so that your event will run seamlessly and smoothly with a happy and motivated team supporting you.
Once you have trusted suppliers in place, as fabulous as they all might be, they will be focussed on delivering their service well. It is the planner’s job to think about how all the different aspects need to come together and build a plan that makes sure each supplier turns up and delivers the right components of the event at exactly the right time and in the right place. The planner will also organise your wedding party so everyone knows what their role is - we are always happy to usher the ushers! Eagle eyed planners can always spot where things are straying off track and step in to course correct. Appointing a planner to do all of this means you and your close friends and family can simply sit back, relax and enjoy the event knowing there is someone working in the background to make sure things go to plan.
4. Wedding planners will take over
We have heard the occasional horror story about wedding planners turned ‘wedding vampires’ - people who insist that their clients follow their recommendations and try to force their own preferences onto them. However, we really believe these planners are the (disappointing) exception. The job of a wedding planner is to provide expert insight, guidance and support - to be a partner in the planning, who is by your side throughout the journey. At White Heather our planners are all called Wedding & Event Consultants, and one of the most important skills they all have is listening. We take the time to get to know each and every client. We have fun ways of getting to understand your likes and dislikes as well as what matters most to you. It is then our job to come up with ideas that excite you, suppliers that delight you and curate a unique and extraordinary event that fits with who you are.
Former White Heather bride Jen summed the experience up for us really well “I never once felt like I was not the one in control. You guys always made it obvious that I was in the driving seat, you just gave me the keys, the petrol and the car radio!”
5. Wedding planners are not good value for money
A high calibre wedding planner is not cheap. But that doesn’t mean the investment doesn’t represent good value for money. At White Heather we can pull together a bespoke quote for you based on the services you require, or you can pick from one of our standard packages which start at £2,500. We will be open and honest with you about our pricing from the outset, and it is always calculated based on the number of hours we expect to spend planning and managing your event to the highest standard. We are 100% confident that our skills and experience make our services worth the cost.
We sometimes get asked if wedding planners get discounts for their clients. Whilst this is actually quite rare in Scotland, our expertise means we know exactly which suppliers offer the best value for money and we have plenty of other hints and tips that can save you money along the way. Depending on the package you choose, these savings can actually cover the cost of the planner.
A typical wedding takes between 250-300 hours to plan, so when considering whether a planner represents good value for money it’s helpful to think about your own time, how constrained it is and how much value you’d put on saving it.
This article is not here to convince you that you definitely ought to have a planner. For some people there will be great reasons why that’s not the right thing to do. But we hope that our myth-busting means whatever decision you do make is well-informed, and with no regrets. If you have any questions about hiring our services please do get in touch. We don’t believe in pushy sales pitches - we’ll just answer your questions honestly and leave you to make the right choice for you.