Why The Hermitage is special to me
I really love photographing weddings at The Hermitage in Dunkeld. I grew up nearby, so it’s a place that means a lot to me. I’ve photographed weddings here several times, and the combination of woodland, river and waterfall always makes me excited to return.
The walk from the car park towards Ossian’s Hall follows the river through the trees, with lovely places for photographs along the way. It’s especially beautiful in autumn, when the colours bring a whole new feel to the woodland. If you love a rustic setting and a bit of a wander, this place really suits that kind of wedding.
Emily & Gregor’s intimate wedding at Ossian’s Hall
Emily and Gregor brought their closest family and friends to The Hermitage in Dunkeld, Perthshire, for an intimate wedding at Ossian’s Hall. Woodland, water and time together gave their photographs a lovely sense of place.
I’m David, a Glasgow-based wedding photographer working across Scotland. This story follows their ceremony and our wander afterwards, with family portraits, a quiet moment by the waterfall and natural photographs among the trees.
From the ceremony to woodland photographs
Emily and Gregor exchanged their vows at Ossian’s Hall, surrounded by their loved ones. Afterwards, we headed outside for family portraits with the forest and cascading water around us.
We wandered through the woods, stopped by the waterfall and found spots for photographs together. Shared laughs and little glances were as much a part of the story as the scenery. I want to capture your personalities, and I’ll give you guidance when it helps you feel comfortable.
My favourite places for wedding photographs at The Hermitage
Ossian’s Hall and the waterfall
Ossian’s Hall is brilliant for portraits as well as ceremonies. Its balcony looks out over Black Linn Falls, and that waterfall makes an incredible backdrop. I love the different perspectives here: portraits on the balcony with the water behind you, and wider views that bring the hall and its setting into the picture.
The old stone bridge
The stone bridge beside the hall has an almost Lord of the Rings feel to it. With the river and woodland around it, it’s a really cool spot for photographs and one of the places I love coming back to.
The riverside woodland
There are so many lovely places among the trees that we don’t need to make the photographs feel like a big expedition. The walk itself gives us opportunities to stop, have a laugh and make pictures that feel like you. In autumn, those woodland colours are especially cool.
Pine Cone Point: an option for a longer wander
If you’d like to explore further, Pine Cone Point in Craigvinean Forest is a viewpoint above the woodland, with views across the Tay valley. It involves a longer walk uphill, so we’d plan it separately around your time, footwear and how much walking you fancy. The hall, bridge and nearby trees already give us plenty to work with if you’d prefer to stay close to the ceremony.
Planning relaxed photography at The Hermitage
We’ll talk before the day about the photographs you want, any family groups and how much walking feels comfortable. There’s no need to visit every photo spot. I’d much rather choose the places that suit you and leave you time to enjoy your wedding. Getting organised beforehand keeps the day relaxed, with room to adjust the timing around the weather and your pace.
What if it rains?
The tree canopy offers some shelter, and Ossian’s Hall gives us a covered space to work around, depending on your arrangements with the venue. We can be flexible about when we go outside and make the most of breaks in the weather. If you’re planning a small outdoor celebration, my rainy-day elopement advice explains more about that approach.
Access to Ossian’s Hall
If you or your guests have mobility needs, discuss them with the venue before booking. National Trust for Scotland’s wedding information confirms all-ability access to Ossian’s Hall and says the wedding party can travel to the hall by car with prior arrangement. That needs to be organised directly with the Trust.
The wider woodland has varied surfaces, slopes and steps, so the route we choose should suit everyone taking part. The Trust’s visitor information is useful for checking access and current conditions. Comfortable footwear is a good idea for our wander, and we can keep photographs around the hall and nearby locations if that works best for you.
Let’s plan something that feels like you
Explore my natural wedding photography or Scottish elopement photography. If you’re a little camera-shy, take a look at my advice for feeling comfortable in your wedding photographs.
Tell me about your plans, and we’ll work out what fits you best. Good people, beautiful surroundings and natural wedding photography for the win! Here are some highlights from Emily and Gregor’s day.
