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12 Romantic & Creative Proposal Ideas 

Proposing to the person you love is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and Auchen Castle provides a truly magical backdrop to begin your next chapter together. From its fairytale architecture to the breathtaking Scottish countryside, the castle offers endless opportunities for romance. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate candlelit proposal or a scenic outdoor moment, we’ve curated 12 romantic and creative proposal ideas to help you plan an unforgettable engagement your partner will cherish forever.

Behind the Scenes of an Exclusive-Use Scottish Castle Wedding Venue

Built as a private Victorian residence and designed for elegant entertaining, Auchen Castle is an authentic Scottish castle wedding venue where unforgettable celebrations have unfolded for generations. Nestled in the breathtaking landscape of Dumfries and Galloway, just 90 minutes from Edinburgh, the castle offers something truly special: complete privacy, total flexibility, and the rare luxury of exclusive use, allowing you to make the castle entirely your own for every moment of your wedding day.

Retail therapy

Moffat town centre is only 10 minutes by car from the castle. With ample free parking, lots of independent shops and quaint cafes, it's perfect for an afternoon mooch. Explore its characterful buildings with many remaining faithful to their original architecture and style.

In particular, don’t forget to stop by the famous Moffat Toffee Shop and The Star Hotel, named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s narrowest hotel.   

A classic taste of Scotland

Annandale Distillery in Annan is one of the few distilleries in the south of Scotland. Although it's one of the country's oldest, it fell into a deep slumber in 1918 to be rediscovered and restarted in 2014

All its malts are non-chill filtered, single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies, bottled at cask strength. You can tour the distillery, take a break in their café and shop their casks.

An ode to Rabbie...

A visit to Robert Burns’ house is a must. 

The legendary poet and lyricist spent his final years in this simple sandstone house and produced some of his finest work here. It has since become a key pilgrimage site for Burns' enthusiasts from around the world.

Inside, you can view some of his original manuscripts as well as a handful of his belongings and his original writing desk. 

The Burns Heritage Trail

Burns’ house is just one of the historic stop-offs on this magnificent heritage trail. It takes you from his birthplace in Alloway to his grave in Dumfries on a circular driving route that showcases the beautiful landscapes and places which were a source of inspiration for his writing in the south west of Scotland.

En route, you’ll come across visitor centres, museums and statues commemorating his achievements. 

The Grey Mare’s Tail

This beautiful walk will lead you to one of Scotland’s finest waterfalls, a magnificent 60m cascade in the Moffat hills. On this route, you’ll climb the falls and continue up to the stunning Loch Skeen. The walk is 4.5km long and takes between one and a half and two hours to complete. 

Earshaig Lochans

Whether you want a quiet morning walk or a family afternoon wander, Earshaig Lochans is a great place to discover the wonderful wildlife that has made its home here. The reserve is open throughout the week from 8:00 – 20:00 and entry is free