Scotland is a country steeped in history and romance, so it’s no wonder that it has played host to many famous weddings over the years. Here are some of the most famous weddings in Scotland of all time:
- Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley: One of the most famous weddings in Scottish history took place on July 29, 1565, when Mary Queen of Scots married Lord Darnley at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. The union was controversial and ultimately doomed, but the wedding itself was a grand affair, featuring a procession through the city and a lavish banquet.
- Bonnie Prince Charlie and Louise de Stolberg-Gedern: Another famous royal wedding in Scotland took place on April 4, 1772, when Bonnie Prince Charlie, the exiled claimant to the throne, married Louise de Stolberg-Gedern at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Bologna, Italy. The couple had a tumultuous relationship, but the wedding was a glittering event, attended by many prominent European figures.
- John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier: Although not Scottish themselves, US President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier are perhaps the most famous couple to have tied the knot in Scotland. The wedding took place on September 12, 1953, at the Church of St. Mary in Newport, Rhode Island, but the couple honeymooned in Scotland, staying at the Mountbatten Lodge in Lochaber.
- Sir Walter Scott and Charlotte Carpenter: Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott married his French-Creole bride Charlotte Carpenter in a secret ceremony in 1797, which was followed by a public wedding at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Carlisle, England. The couple had a happy marriage and Scott’s love for his wife is evident in his writing, with Charlotte inspiring many of his most beloved heroines.
- Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman: In 1969, Paul McCartney, the bassist for the Beatles, married American photographer and musician Linda Eastman in a private ceremony at Marylebone Register Office in London. The couple then travelled to Scotland for their honeymoon, staying at the remote farm on the Isle of Mull that would later become their home.
- J.K. Rowling and Neil Murray: Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling married her second husband, Neil Murray, in a private ceremony at her estate in Aberfeldy, Scotland in 2001. The couple has since had two children together and continue to make their home in Scotland.
- Outlander’s Jamie and Claire Fraser: While not a real-life couple, the fictional pairing of Jamie and Claire Fraser from the popular Outlander book and TV series has captured the hearts of millions. The couple’s wedding, which takes place in the Scottish Highlands in the 18th century, is a beautiful and romantic event, complete with kilts, bagpipes, and a handfasting ceremony.