Loch Ard and Ben Lomond in your pocket
Maybe I’m a biased Altskeith wedding photographer because I’m lucky enough to live just down the road, but Altskeith Country House (we locals affectionately call it ‘The Altskie’) boasts one of the very best backdrops for wedding photos that I’ve come across. Sitting on the shore of Loch Ard in Stirlingshire, you not only get a stunning lochside setting but also the majestic peak of Ben Lomond filling every background. It’s a combination that’s pretty hard to beat, and one I never tire of photographing.
Weddings by the water
Altskeith Country House is a fine-looking, late Victorian building which lends itself beautifully to indoor shots thanks to its big windows which frame the fabulous views, and the fact that it is south-facing – always a massive plus in my book. When the sun shines, the light sparkles off the loch and dances across the ceilings, creating a wonderful effect inside.
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Beach, Burn and Boathouse
Outside, the photo opportunities are endless because you have a beach, jetty and pretty boathouse to choose from. I’ve even been known to take the resident rowing boat out for game couples to get a ‘mid-loch’ shot! The gardens are a delight too, with expanses of immaculate lawn dotted with stepping stone paths across the burn (kids love jumping about on these) and a giant copper beech tree under which outdoor ceremonies can take place. If the weather isn’t playing ball then the specially-designed function suite works equally well, with its glass wall looking out to the hills. Photography-wise, I’m also keen on the lovely sitting room which has a roaring open fire and makes a great location for candid and impromptu reportage shots, from sleeping children to gossiping grannies and the odd dozing dog.
Altskeith wedding photographer
All in all, Altskeith Country House at Loch Ard is for me a winning mix of elegant yet warm and welcoming and the weddings I’ve shot here have been among the most relaxed and joyful I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. I wonder if that’s in part because the person running everything behind the scenes is not a hired events manager but the actual owner; Alison puts her heart and soul into delivering weddings in exactly the way couples want them, which I think is a much under-rated art. So, if you’re looking for spectacular Scottish scenery without having to venture too far north (it’s only an hour from Glasgow), Altskeith wedding photography could well be the answer for you.
Let’s talk
If you think my documentary style and informal approach to wedding photography might be what you’re looking for, please do give me a call on 44+ (0)7887 676002 or drop me a line at studio@ashleycoombes.co.uk. You’ll find plenty more examples of my work at https://ashleycoombes.co.uk/
You can find out more about weddings at Altskeith Country House at Loch Ard here.
