Together with their families
Claire Shannon & Kyle Ross
November the Fourth
Two Thousand and Twenty-Six
Balnagown Castle
Ross-shire, Scottish Highlands
We are overjoyed to invite you to celebrate our marriage in the Scottish Highlands. On the fourth of November, we will exchange vows at Balnagown Castle ā the ancestral seat of the Ross Clan, nestled among the ancient hills of Ross-shire.
This place holds deep meaning for us, and there is no one we would rather share it with than you. We hope you will join us for a week of celebration, exploration, and togetherness in one of the most breathtaking corners of the world.
The castle and its grounds will be open to our guests throughout the week. Come early, stay late, and let the Highlands cast their spell.
"Success Nourishes Hope"
Motto of the Clan Ross
Travel & Accommodations
Your Journey to the Highlands
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
The UK has implemented a new digital requirement called the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The ETA is a mandatory digital travel permission that must be secured before flying to the UK for short stays, tourism, or transit.
To ensure a seamless arrival, please complete your application via the "UK ETA app" or the official GOV.UK website as soon as you have your travel plans finalized. The application costs about $20 and usually takes up to three working days to process.
You will not be allowed to enter the country without this, so please complete it as soon as possible.
Passports
US passports must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the UK. Please check your passport well in advance of the wedding to make sure you're all set.
Getting to Scotland
For the quickest trip, fly into Inverness Airport. Balnagown Estates is an easy 45-minute drive from the airport. Round-trip flights from major US airports to Inverness typically fall between $400ā600.
If you'd like to tack on some time in the city before the Highlands, you can take a 3.5-hour train from Edinburgh or an overnight sleeper train from London.
Getting to Balnagown
We highly recommend renting a car for your time in the Scottish Highlands! Major cities in the UK have great public transportation, but the options are much more limited up in the Highlands. Having a car gives you much more freedom to explore.
If you'd like to use public transportation, you can take a train (ScotRail) from the airport to Invergordon Station. The ride is about 90 minutes. The Balnagown staff can pick you up from the station.
Balnagown Estates, Invergordon, UK
Where to Stay
The estate and its grounds will be accessible to all guests throughout the week. We will be staying on the estate with our immediate families and wedding party.
If you're staying off-property, here are some recommendations for nearby hotels. We do not have a hotel block anywhere. We'd also recommend checking cottages.com or Airbnb in Tain, Dornoch, Invergordon, or Alness.
Hotel Recommendations
- Kincraig Castle Hotel An elegant 15-bedroom country house hotel overlooking the Cromarty Firth. Kincraig Castle Hotel is situated on a 10-acre property and has an award-winning restaurant. 10 minutes from the estate.
- The Glenmorangie House Perfect for a more luxurious stay! The Glenmorangie House is widely known for their opulent, maximalist interior design and award-winning restaurant. A guided tour of Glenmorangie Distillery is typically included in your stay. 15 minutes from the estate.
- The Shandwick Inn A great budget-friendly option, just about a mile up the road from Balnagown. No-frills, good food, and a lively pub full of Highland locals.
- Mansfield Castle A historic building located in the countryside, just outside of the Tain city centre. 10 minutes from the estate.
The Week at Balnagown
While the wedding will take place on Wednesday, November 4th, we hope you'll arrive early and stay as long as you can to enjoy the magic of the Highlands! We hope to spend time with everyone outside of just the wedding day, so we will likely plan another informal gathering or two throughout the week. Details to follow.
Gifts
We are so grateful that you'd consider packing your bags, boarding a plane, and journeying all the way to a wee castle in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate us. Your presence in our lives is, without question, the most meaningful gift we could ever receive! We do not expect any gifts.
For those of you who are stubbornly generous, we have put a honeymoon fund together to help us enjoy an extra week in Scotland after the wedding. You can contribute to our honeymoon fund here.
Exploring the Highlands
Make the Most of Your Journey
The Scottish Highlands are one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth. Since you've come all this way, we hope you'll take the time to explore. Here are some of our favourite recommendations.
Nature & Hiking
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Cairngorms National Park
We may still have some fall colors in the first week of November, and the Cairngorms are the place to see them! There are a variety of hikes, walking, and biking trails for all skill levels. If the weather isn't great, you can drive through a lot of the park.
Hot spots include An Lochan Uaine (The Green Loch), Glenmore Forest Park, The Snow Roads driving route, Corrie Fee, and Loch an Eilien. The Cairngorms are also home to the UK's only free-ranging herd of reindeer ā check out the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre for more info.
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The Falls of Shin
Watch Atlantic salmon leap upstream during their autumn migration. A remarkable natural spectacle, about 40 minutes north of Balnagown.
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Dornoch Beach
Miles of pristine sand along the North Sea coast. Moody and magnificent in November. About 25 minutes north of Balnagown.
Castles & Activities
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Loch Ness Cruise
Go find Nessie! Early November should be a spooky time on the loch. The Jacobite cruise departure points are each about 15ā20 minutes from Inverness and 45ā60 minutes from Balnagown. Loch Ness is gorgeous, and the tours are very silly and fun. And free for kids under 5! While you're there, be sure to check out Urquhart Castle.
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Dunrobin Castle
A fairytale castle with French-chateau architecture and stunning gardens overlooking the sea. About 30 minutes north of Balnagown. Tickets for self-guided tours are about $20. Free for children under 5!
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Culloden Battlefield
The site of the last pitched battle fought on British soil in 1746. A must-see for Outlander lovers. Culloden Battlefield is just 10 minutes from Inverness. Entry fee is about $15.
Food & Drink
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Dalmore Farm Restaurant
About 10 minutes from Balnagown. Great for coffee, pastries, breakfast, and lunch! They have the cutest little shop with gifts and goodies from local artists and suppliers. dalmorefarm.co.uk
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The Storehouse
About 10 minutes from Balnagown. Incredible food and drinks, and beautiful views of Cromarty Firth! Their menu changes every day based on what's available. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also have a perfect little store full of locally produced specialty foods, meats, produce, and gifts. thestorehouse.scot
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The Mustard Seed (Inverness)
An Inverness favourite! The Mustard Seed is right on the River Ness in an old church building. Amazing food and drinks with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced foods. We'd recommend making a reservation. mustardseedrestaurant.co.uk
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Dornoch
A charming town with excellent restaurants, a cathedral, and the renowned Dornoch Castle Hotel whisky bar.
Whisky & Shopping
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Glenmorangie Distillery
Here you will meet the Distillers of Tain. Deeply versed in their anything-is-possible style of whisky making, these men and women possess skills built over generations. glenmorangie.com
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Dalmore Distillery
Nearby in Alness, known for its rich, sherried Highland malts. A beautiful visitor experience.
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Balblair Distillery
One of the oldest in Scotland, situated in Edderton with views over the Dornoch Firth.
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Leakey's Bookshop (Inverness)
Mandatory stop for book lovers! Leakey's is inside what used to be the Old Gaelic Church, built in 1649. They have a huge collection of secondhand books and antique prints and maps. And you'll be nice and cosy next to the wood-burning stove! leakeysbookshop.com
Questions & Answers
Why are you getting married in Scotland?
We chose Scotland for our wedding because it's special to our past, present, and hopefully future!
First, we both have Celtic heritage (Claire's is Irish, Kyle's is Scottish). More specifically, Kyle is a Ross, and we are getting married right in the heart of his family's history: Easter Ross or Ross-Shire, the ancestral home of the Clan Ross. There is a very fun and tiny museum about 10 minutes from Balnagown if you are a history nerd and want to learn more about Clan Ross.
We picked Balnagown Castle because of its connection to the clan, dating back several centuries. The first mention of a castle on the estate was around 1490, and it was the home of the Ross Clan chiefs for several hundred years. We visited Balnagown last year, and it was so cool to know that we were walking around the same place where Kyle's ancestors lived!
We are so lucky to be getting married there and hope to visit many, many more times in the future!
When is the RSVP deadline?
Please RSVP by September 4th.
Are kids welcome?
Absolutely! We'd love for your little ones to attend. Please make a note when you RSVP if you're bringing your kids. Boys are highly encouraged to wear kilts.
What will the weather be like?
Scotland is famous for its unpredictable weather! So much so, there is an old saying ā "Yer grandpa's like the weather ā nae pattern!" Early November can have sunny days or snowy days; most often, it's cloudy and gloomy (so common, the word for this is dreich, in Scots). We recommend keeping an eye on the weather app for Invergordon, Scotland, as the date approaches.
Regardless of the forecast, plan for the temperature to be cool, likely in the 40sā50s°F.
Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?
The majority of the celebration will be held indoors and will be fully heated. If the Scottish weather cooperates, we plan to have a short outdoor ceremony, so please bring a warm coat. We will provide umbrellas and blankets.
What is the dress code?
The dress code is cocktail (i.e. somewhere between cargo pants and a tux). We'd encourage you to bring a coat for walking to/from the wedding and for an outdoor ceremony.
If inclined, it's customary for men to wear kilts!
What kind of shoes should/shouldn't I wear?
Since the ceremony may be held on a grassy area (weather permitting), we'd recommend leaving those stilettos at home. Comfortable block heels, boots, wedges, or dressy flats are the best choice to keep you steady and warm!
Is it offensive if I wear a kilt?
Not at all! Kilts are traditional formal garments for men and appropriate attire for a Scottish wedding. It's the equivalent of wearing a suit to a wedding in the US.
Kyle bought his kilt from Ben Wyvis Kilts in Inverness, and they also do rentals. If you'd like to rent a traditional Highland outfit, go to the "Online Kilt Hire" page on their website to give your measurements and make an appointment for pickup. You can rent the full outfit for £125.00 ($164 USD).
There are several universal tartans (patterns not related to a specific family line) to choose from: Ben Wyvis Thistle, Blackwatch, Granite City, and Flower of Scotland. However, it is normal and customary to wear the family tartan as a fallback (Ross). Kyle will be wearing the Ross Hunting Tartan (dark green).
Can I go inside the castle?
The main castle is a private residence, so we are not allowed to go inside. You are welcome to take pictures of the outside!
What else is going on throughout the wedding week?
We are planning a Welcome Party on Tuesday, November 3rd. Totally optional, but we'd love for you to attend! We'll send more details when we get closer to the wedding date. We may plan some other informal gatherings throughout the week and will keep you updated on times and locations.
How do I get to Scotland?
You can find all the information you need, including airport and flight recommendations, on our dedicated Travel page!
Am I staying on the property or do I need to find a hotel?
We have rented all of the self-catering cottages at Balnagown for the week, but unfortunately, we do not have space for every guest. Priority for on-site accommodation will go to our immediate families and our wedding party.
If we have a space for you, we will contact you directly to let you know. If you have not heard from us, please find your own accommodations ā you can find our hotel recommendations on the Travel page.
Can I take a taxi to and from the wedding?
Yes! There is no Uber or Lyft in the Highlands. If you'd like to arrange a taxi, we'd recommend making an online booking with Highland Taxis Invergordon. We'd recommend booking a ride 1-2 days in advance.
What is the currency in Scotland?
Scotland uses the Pound Sterling or Great British Pound (GBP). You should be able to use a debit/credit card everywhere, but you can grab cash at the airport if you need it.
Do I need a travel adapter?
Yes! Scotland uses the Type G plug (the square 3-pin plug). You can buy an adapter at the airport or any major grocery store, but we'd recommend just getting one in advance.
RSVP
We Hope You'll Join Us
Please respond by September 4, 2026 so we can plan accordingly. If your circumstances change after responding, simply reach out to us directly.
Thank You
Your response has been received. We can't wait to celebrate with you in the Highlands.