Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa

Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel and Spa stands on the banks of Loch Ard at Kinlochard, near Aberfoyle, inside Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The hotel sits in around 25 acres of landscaped gardens with waterfalls and paths, surrounded by lochs, wooded hills and mountains. It hosts everything from small weddings to larger celebrations, with a spa and plenty of bedrooms on site.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

GLW recommends Forest Hills for couples who want the drama of the Highlands without a long journey from the central belt. Exclusive use is available, so you can take over the hotel for your group. Outdoor ceremonies in the grounds give you a setting that feels personal rather than formal, and with bedrooms, lodges and a spa on site, the wedding easily becomes a weekend away for everyone.

Ceremonies

Ceremonies can be held outdoors in the grounds, with the loch and hills behind you, or indoors if the weather turns. The terrace looks over Loch Ard towards Ben Lomond, which makes it a favourite spot for photographs straight after the vows.

Receptions and food

The Garden Suite takes up to around 110 guests, and there is also a ballroom and a dance floor for the evening. Food comes from the hotel kitchen, and packages include canapes and a multi-course wedding meal. The hotel has its own wine list and bar.

Staying

There are 55 bedrooms, including bridal and honeymoon suites, plus self-catering lodges in the grounds. Guests can use the spa and leisure facilities, and there are water sports and outdoor activities on site for anyone staying longer.

Getting there and the area

Kinlochard is a few miles west of Aberfoyle on the road towards Loch Lomond. The hotel is around 40 minutes from Glasgow by car and less than an hour from Edinburgh. Stirling has the nearest mainline railway station, and Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are both within reach. There is parking on site. The Trossachs are made for walking, cycling and boat trips, so guests have plenty to do before and after the wedding.

Good to know

• Exclusive use of the hotel is available.
• Self-catering lodges sit alongside the hotel bedrooms.
• The hotel is pet friendly and has step-free access.