Introduction:
Carlowrie Castle is Scotland’s newest exclusive use venue and a hidden gem on Edinburgh’s doorstep. It has recently been renovated to be a modern and luxurious venue.
The Castle is conveniently located twenty minutes by car from the city and ten minutes from the airport.
Carlowrie also operates as a social enterprise, donating year end profits to RESTART, a charity that focuses on homelessness and long term unemployment.
Our ethos:
Carlowrie is a haven, close to Edinburgh, where clients can have the space and tranquility to relax and escape the city and focus on the day’s agenda.
At Carlowrie we pride ourselves on designing and delivering an exceptional and bespoke service for every client. We work with each individual client to find out their needs and then tailor their event or stay accordingly.
The Castle:
The Castle is suited to any occasion and is offered on an exclusive use basis.
On the ground floor we have a dining/board room, drawing room and library which can be used for all types of meetings and events.
We also have a newly refurbished Orangery that can host 120 guests or up to 450 in an adjoining marquee.
There are 9 bedrooms for 18 adults in elegantly designed double or twin ensuite rooms. The bathrooms feature handmade, roll top baths, marble tiles, underfloor heating and walk in showers. All rooms are individually styled and spacious, with breath-taking views of the 32 acre Castle grounds.
Outdoor space:
We have 32 acres of grounds, including our historic walled garden and woodland walk so there is plenty of space to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. We can also cater for team building activities whether it is through our Academy on the grounds run by RESTART or any adventure activities.
Background on the social enterprise:
The Castle operates as a social enterprise and year end profits are donated to RESTART, a charity that works with vulnerable people on the fringes of society to provide them with safe spaces to RESTART life.
The charity runs programmes in education, housing, employability and emergency aid in Edinburgh and London. At the academy at Carlowrie, RESTART offer hands on courses in horticulture for people that have been homeless or long term unemployed, to equip people with the skills and confidence needed to move into employment or further education, to become self-sufficient in the long term.
History of the Castle:
In the mid-19th century, the Hutchison family, who were wine merchants, commissioned David Rhind to design the Castle. Rhind was also responsible for Stewarts Melville College and what is now the Dome on Edinburgh’s George Street.
The Castle became home to Thomas Hutchison and his wife Jean Wylie and their 5 children in 1852. Their daughter, Isabelle Wylie Hutchison became a pioneering Artic traveler and author, searching for rare plants. Many of the plants she collected are still in the grounds today and can also be seen at Kew Gardens in London.
The current owners the Marshalls are the only other family who have lived there. They have lovingly renovated the Castle to be a luxury venue and it has been entirely given over as a space for events.
