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Tranquility, history and service - the perfect getaway yet only half an hourﾒs drive from Edinburgh.
For nearly 600 years Borthwick Castle has overlooked the gently rolling hills on the edge of the romantic Scottish Borders. One can easily imagine that Mary Queen of Scots looked from her bedchamber window onto a very similar landscape in the 16th Century.
The Castle's long and illustrious history has romance and drama and the walls still bear the battle-scars of Cromwell's cannon.
Nowadays, with central heating and en-suite bathrooms, the castle retains a medieval ambience which charms even the most seasoned travellers.

Bedrooms: 10, As a guest in the atmospheric setting of our medieval castle, we do not expect you to accept medieval living conditions! All of our bedchambers are tastefully furnished in period style, have central heating, tea and coffee making facilities, telephones and en-suite bath or shower rooms. Please note that bedchambers do not have televisions or radios.

Dining: The candlelit Great Hall is a magnificent setting for an intimate dinner for two the experience is unforgettable. With its high vaulted ceiling, enormous fireplace and the minstrel gallery at one end, it is Scotland's most beautiful medieval Great Hall.

Local Activities: Borthwick Castle is ideally situated in the heart of the countryside but within half an hour's drive of Scotland's capital city of Edinburgh there are numerous golf courses and walks in the area.

Call us toll free at 1-800-876-5084, email to info@castlehoneymoons.com or visit our website at www.castlehoneymoons.com to see several different honeymoon packages in either Ireland or Scotland.

What could be more memorable or more romantic than a wedding at a castle? A castle wedding has been the choice of many celebrities - Pierce Bronsnan at Ashford Castle in Ireland and Madonna at Skibo Castle in Scotland are only two recent examples.

Bonaventure Tours can provide complete destination wedding services in Scotland and Ireland. Bonaventure Tours will assist you through the legalities, clergy contacts, venue selection, and myriad of details from flowers to music to pipers, and Celtic wedding traditions.

We have Irish and Scots wedding co-ordinators in place who will communicate directly with you through the planning process to fulfil your dream wedding. Your complete arrangements will also include travel arrangements for yourselves and your guests through the wedding period as well as your honeymoon and any touring your guests might want to do before or after the wedding.

After arriving at your chosen destination our co-ordinator will assist with the completion of your legal documents, review your arrangements and provide whatever services have been agreed upon. On the wedding day she will be present to insure that all goes as planned.

There are no fixed wedding packages as you might find on a cruise ship or at a tropical resort. Every destination wedding by Bonaventure Tours is completely tailored to your requirements and your budget. Our co-ordinators will listen, suggest and provide options and opinions - allowing you to make informed decisions. Our co-ordinators maintain their independence by charging a fee for their services rather than earning commissions from wedding suppliers.

From tiny 12th century St Margaret's Chapel at Edinburgh Castle to the exclusive use of a complete castle visited by Mary Queen of Scots, Scotland has options galore. Ancient abbeys, historic sites and stately homes are further possibilities.

It is more complicated to be legally married in Ireland. Many couples opt to cut through the red tape and residency requirements with a legal ceremony at home and a religious blessing ceremony in Ireland. Your options in Ireland may be limited by the requirements of your religious denomination.

There are an unlimited array of romantic castles, abbeys and historic sites throughout Ireland. Castle Leslie and St Salvator's church is pure delight in spring when the bluebells carpet the walk from the castle through the gardens and the gate to the churchyard. Knappogue Castle with its private apartment offers a unique setting for a small family group. Humewood Castle - Irish home of the Duke of Devonshire provides the ultimate in luxury while Glin Castle - home to the Knight of Glin has a more intimate ambience.

In both countries civil ceremonies must be performed in premises licensed for this purpose.

From an intimate wedding for two to a gathering for the entire clan, our specialized knowledge of Ireland and Scotland and our local partners will bring your dreams to life.

Call us toll free at 1-800-876-5084, email to info@castlehoneymoons.com or go to our website at www.castlehoneymoons.com to see several different honeymoon packages in either Ireland or Scotland.

An extract from Ireland of the Welcomes September/October 2006

Islands have always been appealing to honeymooners. Hawaii, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Seychelles, and the Greek Islands. In recent years, another island ﾖ Ireland ﾖ has been recognised by many travelling twosomes to have the same alluring attributes (including the palm trees). Couples of all ages are selecting the green and misty Emerald Isle for a first or second honeymoon, wedding anniversaries, or romantic getaways. Ireland has an added bonus for romantics ﾖ an endless supply of fairytale castles. Epic films such as Braveheart (filmed at Trim Castle) and Excalibur and Barry Lyndon (set at Cahir Castle) have put the spotlight on Irelandﾒs castles for a worldwide audience.

Best of all, Irelandﾒs castles are not just vacant ancient buildings amid the scenery. Many castles have been restored to highest standards, and beckon visitors to partake of luxurious accommodations and gourmet meals. The ﾓlive-like-a-king-and-queenﾔ appeal of a castle, with its usual turrets and towers, canopy or four-poster beds, sprawling estate settings and pampering staff.

In sync with such dreamy accommodations, honeymoon trips tend to be more relaxed than a usual ﾓtouringﾔ itinerary. Couples prefer to stay a few nights in each place, relaxing and savouring an area, rather than hopping to a new lodging every night. Since most honeymoons last only one to two weeks, this means itineraries have to be selective, covering only a part of Ireland.
Although Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Belfast, Derry and other large cities are sometimes part of a honeymoon itinerary, the major emphasis for most couples is on the West of Ireland, often referred to as ﾓthe real Irelandﾔ ﾖ from Donegal south to Cork, with Kerry, Clare, Galway and Mayo being the prime do-not-miss destinations.
In the evenings, no matter where honeymooners roam, there are always plenty of pubs and other entertainments, providing opportunities to mix and mingle with the locals. Getting to know the people and speaking the same language rank high on the list of reasons that honeymooners choose Ireland. It ensures a no-hassle honeymoon.
Call us toll free at 1-800-876-5084, email to info@castlehoneymoons.com or go to our website at www.castlehoneymoons.com to see several different honeymoon packages in either Ireland or Scotland.

Text from Irish Tourist Board publication Ireland of the Welcomes

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