Thedougarieboathouse Reviews

HOME - The Dougarie Boathouse

5.00
23 reviews
Excellent Rating
Based on 23 user experiences

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Rated 5.00 out of 5 by 23 Happy Customers

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AI Review Summary Based on 23 reviews

The Dougarie Boathouse is consistently praised as a stunning, magical, and breathtaking wedding and event venue with exceptional sea views and a tranquil, private location. Customers highlight the outstanding service, particularly from event organiser Malin, who is described as helpful, responsive, and going above and beyond to ensure a smooth and perfect day. The venue's beautiful, well-maintained building and intimate, relaxed atmosphere are frequently commended. Many reviews mention the seamless organisation and planning process, even for international or long-distance clients. The overall customer experience is overwhelmingly positive, with guests describing their events as perfect, unforgettable, and the best day of their lives. There are no negative comments regarding product quality, delivery, or returns policy within the provided reviews. The service quality receives universal acclaim, with specific staff members like Joel, Sarah, and Joyce also receiving praise. Overall satisfaction is extremely high, with all reviews awarding a perfect 5-star rating and strong recommendations for the venue.

What customers love
  • Stunning, breathtaking location and sea views
  • Exceptional and helpful service from event
  • Beautiful, well-maintained, and intimate venue setting
  • Smooth, well-organised planning and event execution
  • Tranquil, private, and magical atmosphere

Last updated 4 months ago

M

Amazing venue

Having attended a very special and unique party at the Boathouse a few weeks ago I can t recommend it enough for any event It s a beautiful space with stunning views and very well appointed so it would work very well for dinners shooting lunches weddings parties and get togethers
C

Where do we even begin to describe this magical place

Where do we even begin If you re thinking of getting married at the Dougarie Boathouse don t hesitate It is simply breathtaking From Malin s attention to detail to the unbelievable sea views it s honestly perfect We really can t thank everyone enough We can t thank Malin Joyce Jules and the team at the Dougarie enough everything was just outstanding In fact everyone on Arran was incredibly friendly and it really does feel like a community We had forgot to drill holes in one of our signs and within the hour Malin had a joiner over to drilling them for us this is just one of the many ways they went above and beyond We were nervous of the table setting s being put together without us but Malin executed it perfectly everything was exactly how we had imagined it from the placement of the each disco ball to each table The location of the boathouse is stunning from every single angle it is secluded so it really does make the day feel even more special You have the beach the river the boathouse itself and then a short walk is a stunning walled garden You are really spoiled for choice for the dreamiest wedding photos You are really really spoiled for choice at the Dougarie Boathouse We wanted an outdoor ceremony the weather had been quite grim all week but on the day of our wedding it was truly stunning and we were blessed with blue skies We went with most of Malin s recommendations from Eleanor s flowers who I would recommend to anyone and everyone What she did for us was above and beyond Malin even recommended transport to us which we never would have known The kindness from everyone on the island was incredible We still can t believe we had such a special wedding and even managed to plan it in less than 6 months Which we would never have been able to do elsewhere Everyone really went above and beyond to make our day special
K

The venue for a beautiful intimate wedding on the Isle of Arran

Myself and my husband had our wedding day at the Dougarie Boathouse on the Isle of Arran on 12th September 2023 Almost one month on and we are still beaming from the day and how perfect it was Arran is special to us for a lot of reasons but importantly because every time we go it s relaxed and we wanted to reflect that in our day but wondered how you create such a feeling With a small wedding of 36 people the Boathouse team provided just that - a day that was relaxed intimate and stunningly beautiful The scenery the people the food and the charming venue itself gave us a day that was beyond perfection and one that exceeded all of our expectations Their flexible package made it easy to start building a wedding day with just a year to go and we loved being able to use local suppliers to the island including caterer florist and celebrant We were also able to hire a lot of decor from the venue itself which made it so easy for us and more practical than packing what are usually already very full cars The team handled the majority of the set up - bringing to life our vision and making it better than we could have ever done They also supported with the running of the day and were more than happy to adjust timings when I thought it nicer to stay out and enjoy the sunset before the cake and first dance For an intimate wedding we would recommend this venue 100 times over and our only regret is not being able to do it all over again From the bottom of our hearts we can t thank Malin and the Boathouse enough for giving us an unforgettable and wonderful day to celebrate our new start as husband and wife
A

Dream-Like Wedding Venue

We can t thank Malin Joyce Joel Sarah and the rest of the team at the Boathouse enough Right from our very first contact with Malin she was enthusiastic about our wedding and has gone above and beyond to help us create our perfect day The Boathouse was the first and only wedding venue we viewed because we absolutely knew that nothing would beat it What we loved especially about the Boathouse was the incredible surrounding scenery The venue feels isolated which means your guests have full access to walk around on the beach and take in the beautiful Arran coastline Our guests spent most of the day outdoors we were lucky enough to have incredible weather and couldn t believe how peaceful the grounds were This also makes for the most amazing backdrop for your photos something you won t find with a lot of other wedding venues The interior of the Boathouse is modern clean and simplistic meaning you can put your own stamp on it and Malin and her team are so happy to accommodate your vision Nothing was too much for them and Malin made herself available whenever we had questions about the whole process we never felt we were alone in planning our wedding despite going for the venue only package I wish we could do it all again honestly it was flawless from start to finish and that was mainly down to the attention to detail paid by all of the Boathouse staff Even on the wedding day itself the staff were very helpful in assisting with the order of events and making sure the day ran smoothly for us Our family and friends haven t stopped talking about how incredible a day it was and how amazing both the staff and venue were We are so glad we went with the Boathouse and can t imagine a better wedding venue or location to get married
H

Wouldn t Change A Thing

We are American and planned a wedding here As you can imagine it is difficult to plan a wedding while not knowing any of the vendors etc Malin and her team made sure everything was taken care of She was very responsive and made time to meet with us at convenient times - even with the time difference We had such a wonderful day- awesome food stunning venue and FUN band- we would not have changed a thing We loved every minute of our wedding
R

Dreamy magical and stunning

The Boathouse provides a unique magical and dream-like setting that no other venue can give Its locatioin provides a tranquil and secluded space for hosting your special day as well as giving views to die for making your wedding pictures out of this world Inside is intimate and relaxed with the most stunning decor its gorgeous vaulted ceilings covered in fairy lights add to the magic The Boathouse was perfect for our intimate wedding and Malin and her team went above and beyond for us The Boathouse provides a list of suppliers to help with the planning of your big day - very helpful when you don t live on the Island - and constant updates on social media provide endelss inspiration for your big day Malin ensured everything was perfect from start to finish nothing was too much hassle and she kept cool and calm throughout - even when the ferries robbed us of our caterer and we had to re-jig things very last minute The team took great care of us and our guests throughout the day to enusre we all had the absolute best time Our guests were blown away by the venue its surroundings and the service and can t stop talking about it all Chosing the Boathouse was an easy decision and it gave us the wedding of our dreams We cannot thank Malin and the team enough for making it all possible I just wish we could do it all again
M

Elopement

My partner and I recently eloped at the Dougarie Boathouse and it was nothing short of magical The setting by the loch was absolutely perfect providing a breathtaking backdrop for our special day The boathouse itself was beautifully maintained with charming details that added to the romance of the occasion The staff at Dougarie Boathouse were incredible kind accommodating and always ready to help They went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect for us The piper they arranged added a touch of tradition that made the day even more memorable We couldn t have asked for a more perfect location or more wonderful people to help us celebrate our love If you re looking for a stunning and intimate place to elope we highly recommend Dougarie Boathouse
M

Highly recommend

We recently got married at the Dougarie Boathouse and could not thank Malin and the team more for how perfectly it went Throughout the process Malin was so helpful and understanding with every one of the questions emailed to her and her communication was exemplary She gave us invaluable suggestions for the set up of the day and followed our requests to deliver a beautiful venue on the day itself From the ceremony to the dinner to the dancing every step appeared to happen seamlessly and without anyone noticing including multiple room transformations - a testament to how professional Malin is The venue is beautifully secluded with the most picturesque landscape and sunset and the interior decor is elegant but simple - allows you to add your own touches to make it personal but without being bare Overall we highly recommend the boathouse if you re planning an Arran wedding
A

A perfect day in a breathtaking setting

We couldn t have loved our wedding at the Dougarie Boathouse more The setting is absolutely breathtaking and the inside of the boathouse is beautiful We had some proper west coast weather so ended up getting married in the central part of the boathouse with the main doors open on to the water It was so beautiful and the sounds of the waves echoing round the room was very atmospheric We had a small wedding just 20 people in total but the size of the boathouse worked perfectly for this Big enough that there was plenty of space to move around without feeling cavernous and empty We also had it sectioned off for our ceremony and opened it up for dinner which was ideal and made our ceremony space feel very intimate Malin is amazing so helpful and lovely She made everything really straight forward and always replied quickly to our questions The rest of the Boathouse team Mark Joel and Sarah were fantastic Thanks to everyone for such a magical day I wish we could just do it all over again
H

Perfect Elopement Wedding

We had the most amazing day at Iorsa Water for our elopement wedding It was an absolutely stunning location to get married with a small rustic boat-house set up with candles and a small table for us to sign the register We were lucky with the weather so our ceremony took place outside at an awesome spot by the water Malin was lovely helpful and efficient with arranging and co-ordinating everything so that the day ran seamlessly She arranged travel to Iorsa water for us along with the excellent registrar photographer and piper as well as ordering a lovely bouquet and button hole from a local florist Malin was quick to respond to our emails and queries whilst we were sorting the arrangements beforehand and nothing was too much trouble We would highly recommend Iorsa Water Dougarie Estate to anyone planning an elopement wedding

About Thedougarieboathouse

Nestled on the Dougarie Estate on the Isle of Arran the boathouse is the perfect wedding or event venue for large groups

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Dougarie Boathouse is a distinctive wedding and event venue situated on the secluded Dougarie Estate on the Isle of Arran. It is a restored grade II listed building originally constructed in 1885, offering a unique shoreline setting with spectacular seascape views. The venue is located at The Dougarie Boathouse, Dougarie Estate, Isle of Arran, KA27 8EB, and can be reached by phone at +44 (0) 1770 840 259 or via email at [email protected].

The Dougarie Boathouse was originally built from local red sandstone in 1885 and served as a place for launching sailboats and entertaining guests of the 11th Duke of Hamilton, who spent summers fishing and hosted ceilidhs there. Following a careful restoration completed in 2021, the venue now functions as a dedicated event space for weddings, civil ceremonies, receptions, and parties.

The venue can accommodate up to 80 guests indoors, with the option to add a marquee for larger gatherings of up to 200 people. The event offers exclusive use of the property.

The venue offers three main package options: 1) Venue Only - full and exclusive use of the space with no catering; 2) The IORSA option - includes sharing boards and family-style catering; and 3) The HAMILTON option - adds canapés, a three-course meal, a Humanist, a photographer, and a piper. The venue also supports couples using their own suppliers.

Guests highlight the staff's attentiveness, the restoration details, and the setting's scenic qualities, including views, sunsets, and wildlife such as seals. The event team is noted for problem-solving and ensuring celebrations run smoothly. The venue is described as 'featured' and includes a free wedding guide for visitors.
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About Thedougarieboathouse

The Dougarie Boathouse: A Secluded Wedding Venue on the Isle of Arran

The Dougarie Boathouseis a distinctive wedding and event venue situated on the secluded Dougarie Estate on the Isle of Arran. Housed in a restored grade II listed building originally constructed in 1885, the venue offers a unique shoreline setting with spectacular seascape views and Scottish countryside backdrops. The venue is presented as a romantic and remote location accessible via a 45-minute drive from Glasgow followed by a 50-minute ferry ride from Ardrossan.

Venue History and Restoration

The boathouse was originally built from local red sandstone and served both as a place for launching sailboats and entertaining guests of the 11th Duke of Hamilton, who spent summers fishing and hosted ceilidhs there. Following a careful restoration completed in 2021, the venue now functions as a dedicated event space for weddings, civil ceremonies, receptions, and parties. The curved-roof building is described as a "spectacular Scottish setting" that provides privacy as an exclusive rural retreat.

Capacity and Layout Options

The venue can accommodate up to 80 guests indoors, with the option to add a marquee for larger gatherings of up to 200 people. The event is noted for offering exclusive use of the property. Ceremony locations include inside the boathouse, outside on the beach, or at the nearby Loch Iorsa. The venue also mentions proximity to local churches for traditional ceremonies and nearby accommodation options.

Package Options and Services

Three main options are outlined for visitors. The Venue Only option provides exclusive use of the space with no catering. The IORSA option includes sharing boards and family-style catering. The HAMILTON option adds canapés, a three-course meal, a Humanist, a photographer, and a piper. The venue emphasizes support from an events coordinator and allows couples to use their own suppliers when desired.

Guest Feedback and Recognition

The venue is described as "featured" and includes a free wedding guide for visitors. Testimonials highlight the staff's attentiveness, the restoration details, and the setting's scenic qualities, including views, sunsets, and wildlife such as seals. The event team is noted for problem-solving and ensuring celebrations run smoothly.

Contact Information

Located at The Dougarie Boathouse, Dougarie Estate, Isle of Arran, KA27 8EB, the venue can be reached by phone at +44 (0) 1770 840 259 or via email at [email protected]. The website thedougarieboathouse.co.uk serves as the primary source for inquiries, package details, and booking information.