The launch of Wedderlie House, between Duns and Lauder in the Scottish Borders, sees a husband and wife business couple enter the burgeoning world of exclusive use wedding & events venues, by literally putting the flags out!
Originally a Castle dating back to the 12th Century, and with parts of the present eleven bedroom Mansion House dating from the 17th Century, Wedderlie is clearly awash with history. Just one of its notable stories over the centuries is that it was gifted by King Robert the Bruce to his loyal liege, Sir Richard Edgar, in 1327, remaining in the Edgar family for 400 years.
Still oozing with character features, Wedderlie House, set on a private sixty acre estate with multiple outbuildings, including cottages and stables, offered huge potential in the exclusive use marketplace, with demand growing for locations where bridal couples and their guests could all stay together to enjoy wedding celebrations lasting several days.
Present owner Jamie Raine-Fraser has already made his mark in entrepreneurial prowess with the successful Summer Camps recruitment business, Wild Packs, which has been operating for the past ten years, recruiting staff to work on camps in the US.
Along with his wife Connie, a busy GP who is now overseeing all the interior design work when time allows, they acquired Wedderlie House only last year, but have literally put their heart and soul into the venture, juggling two young children and a hectic family life, to get the property ready to launch.
With other family members pitching in to help, they have created what they believe is one of Scotland’s most exciting new destinations, offering, in Jamie’s words, “not just weddings, but life events you will never forget.”
The estate can now accommodate around forty four people, with twenty two sleeping in the eleven well appointed bedrooms in the main House. Added to the portfolio is a comfortable cottage with four double bedrooms.
Brides can enjoy a luxurious dressing room in Wedderlie House, in which to get ready, then spend their wedding night in the stylish bridal suite with its stunning views out over the surrounding countryside.
A choice of marquee locations outside mean that Wedderlie can cater for any wedding, large or small. A large secure area directly in front of the House is the perfect location in which to stage an impressive firework celebration, or site Fairground Rides. A quirky touch is the Doocot, complete with doves, which can play their part in the wedding.
Commenting on the launch of Wedderlie House, Jamie Raine-Fraser said: “After a great deal of very hard work around this beautiful estate, and in the House itself, we are delighted to officially open for bookings here at Wedderlie House. We are extremely excited about what we have on offer here, and can’t wait to start welcoming guests.”
To herald their arrival onto what is becoming a competitive exclusive use scene, Jamie and Connie have come up with a novel idea, which taps into the House and Estate’s long and noble history.
Jamie said: “The Edgar family had a heraldic crest which would have been flown on a flag above the Castle. One of the first things we did on taking possession of the estate was to site our own flagpole to fly a flag featuring a new Wedderlie House logo, specially designed for us, and based on the initials W and H.”
Further details at www.wedderliehouse.com
