Marriage and Civil Ceremonies

Choose Argyll Love Argyll

Reasons to choose Argyll and Bute

Richard and Adeline - Photo courtesy of Chloe Jane Photography
Photo courtesy of Chloe Jane Photography

Situated on the Scottish west coast, Argyll and Bute is one of the most stunning and diverse areas in the country. We have 3,000 miles of coastline, six main towns and 23 inhabited islands. Our wild and rugged countryside, mountains, lochs and thousands of miles of coastline support the most extensive range of flora and fauna in the UK.

Argyll and Bute Council area is divided into four distinct areas – Bute and Cowal; Helensburgh and Lomond; Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands and Oban, Lorn and the Isles. The area is bounded by the urban areas of Helensburgh and Dunoon along the Clyde, Loch Lomond to the East, the Mull of Kintyre to the south, Atlantic Islands to the west, and the Sound of Mull and Appin to the north.

Argyll and Bute Council covers the second largest geographical area of any Scottish local authority.Each area has its own unique character and culture and all offer a wealth of beautiful locations and venues for your perfect day.

Argyll and Bute Council’s main instagram is the most followed Scottish council on Instagram. @argyllandbute #abplace2b

Photo courtesy of Darren Mitchell
Photo courtesy of Darren Mitchell

The registrars in Argyll and Bute love to help make your special day the way you have dreamt it to be. They want the run up to your big day to be an enjoyable experience and are on hand to guide you through the planning of your ceremony.  They will help you personalise your ceremony with ideas and suggestions to make it unique to both of you. Have a look at our section why choose a registrar, under the paperwork tab to see why you should be married by an Argyll and Bute Registrar. 

Argyll and Bute Registrars have their own Instagram and Facebook pages follow them to see the amazing weddings they have been a part of @abregistrars #abplace2wed

Photo courtesy of My Islay Photography
Photo courtesy of My Islay Photography

All our registrars are professional and well experienced who will help you through all the legal requirements for your ceremony and ensure the process is completed as smoothly as possible.

When choosing to have a registrar conduct your ceremony there will be no need to attend the office to collect your marriage schedule prior to your wedding, or return it, as this is included in our service, giving you one less thing to worry about.

You will be spoilt for choice in the variety of different venues within Argyll and Bute, from castles to listed buildings and also stunning secluded beaches, I’m sure there will be somewhere perfect for you. Have a look at our venues tab on this website for more information on each of the venues.

Crear Collective - Chloe and Gary
Photo - Crear Collective

Each area has unique locations of spectacular backdrops for you to create memorable photographs of your day, whether you are looking for a mountainous beach background or to be in the depths of a woodland forest Argyll and Bute can offer it all.

Photo courtesy of My Islay Photography
Photo courtesy of My Islay Photography

Celebrating your special day here in Argyll and Bute means you can enjoy the assortment of food and drink available, many restaurants are award winning and we have numerous world renowned distilleries and breweries throughout the area.

Argyll and Bute is home to some of the finest food in Scotland and arguably the UK. Whist Loch Fyne boast the most appetising oysters and kippers in the world, Bute and Campbeltown produce some of the most mouth-watering and award winning beef, lamb and cheese. Our islands also offer many other delightful treats such as handmade chocolate in Mull and Oban, delicious fudge in Gigha and tasty tablet on Bute.

A century ago Campbeltown was the heartland of the whisky industry and was known as the whisky capital of the world with 29 distilleries operating simultaneously in the 1800s. Today the town is home to Glengyle, Glen Scotia and Springbank which, as well as producing its own namesake malt, also produces Longrow and Hazelburn.

Oban is also home to a world-famous distillery, as are the islands of Jura and Mull whilst the Isle of Islay has ten: Ardbeg. Caol ila, Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte. Bowmore. Port Ellen Maltings, Laphroaig and Lagavulin.

In the last few years Gin has become an extremely popular drink and Argyll and Bute has created a number of beautiful gins for everyone to try. Bruichladdich’s The Botanist is the original Argyll gin. It is made at the Bruichladdich whisky distillery on the island of Islay. Kintyre Gin, Lussa Gin and Wild Island Gin are other gins that can be found from Argyll.

Natalie Holt Photography
Photo courtesy of Natalie Holt Photography

The fascinating culture and heritage in Argyll and Bute will amaze you; from locations of archaeological importance; to the museums and art galleries displaying collections of artefacts of local and national importance.

With such diversity, Argyll and Bute offers a wide range of pastimes and activities; from surfing to sightseeing, walking, yachting, glorious gardens, indoor leisure facilities and libraries.

Each year many events are hosted throughout the area the main events being; Highland Gatherings, Music Festivals, Rally Events, Film Festivals, Water Skiing Championships and in 2018 Dunoon hosted the Royal National Mod.

There are a number of ways to get around and explore the wonders of Argyll and Bute. Whether you go by car, bus, train, ferry or plane, each and every way will enable you to see this unique area at its very best.