Venues
The Free Company Wedding Photographer
By Crieff Photography –
Updated March 13, 2026
Why The Free Company is a Unique and Beautiful Wedding Venue Near Edinburgh
If you’re searching for a unique wedding venue near Edinburgh, a rustic wedding venue in Midlothian, or a countryside wedding venue close to the city, The Free Company in Balerno is a fantastic choice.
Located on the edge of the Pentland Hills just outside Edinburgh, this characterful venue combines rustic charm, relaxed atmosphere, and beautiful surroundings — making it ideal for couples who want something a little different from traditional hotel weddings.
Here’s why The Free Company is becoming one of the most sought-after wedding venues near Edinburgh.
1. A Unique Rustic Wedding Venue Near Edinburgh
The Free Company stands out because it offers something truly different.
Couples searching for:
Unique wedding venues Edinburgh
Rustic wedding venues near Edinburgh
Alternative wedding venues Scotland
are often drawn to the venue’s relaxed and creative feel.
The space blends rustic features with characterful décor, creating an intimate environment that feels welcoming rather than formal. It’s perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel personal and laid-back.
2. Beautiful Location Near the Pentland Hills
The venue sits close to the stunning Pentland Hills, giving couples access to incredible natural scenery.
For wedding photography this means:
Countryside backdrops just minutes away
Rolling hills and dramatic skies
Sunset portrait opportunities
A peaceful rural atmosphere
Couples looking for a countryside wedding venue near Edinburgh love this balance between nature and accessibility.
3. Perfect for Relaxed, Intimate Weddings
Unlike large hotel venues, The Free Company is ideal for couples planning a more intimate celebration.
This makes it perfect for:
Smaller weddings
Relaxed celebrations with close family and friends
Couples who want a cosy atmosphere
For couples searching for intimate wedding venues near Edinburgh, this venue offers a warm and welcoming setting that feels more like a gathering of friends than a formal event.
4. Flexible Ceremony and Reception Spaces
One of the biggest advantages of The Free Company is its flexible layout.
Couples can host:
Their ceremony indoors
Drinks receptions in the courtyard or outdoor spaces
Dinner and speeches in the main venue area
Evening celebrations with music and dancing
This flexibility is ideal for couples who want to personalise their day rather than follow a fixed wedding package.
5. Fantastic Atmosphere for Wedding Photography
As a photographer, venues with character and personality always create the best images.
The Free Company offers:
Rustic textures and architectural details
Natural light throughout the venue
Interesting backdrops for portraits
Cosy indoor spaces if the weather changes
These elements create photographs that feel authentic and atmospheric.
6. Convenient Location for Guests
Another big advantage is the venue’s location.
Couples often search for:
Wedding venues near Edinburgh city centre
Wedding venues near Edinburgh Airport
Midlothian wedding venues
The Free Company is only a short drive from Edinburgh, making it easy for guests travelling from across Scotland or further afield.
You get the beauty of the countryside without the long travel distances.
7. A Venue That Feels Personal and Relaxed
What really makes The Free Company special is the atmosphere.
It’s a venue where couples can:
Relax and enjoy their day
Spend time with guests without feeling rushed
Create a wedding that reflects their personalities
For couples searching for a relaxed wedding venue near Edinburgh, this is exactly the kind of environment that allows genuine moments and memories to unfold naturally.
Why Couples Searching for an Edinburgh Wedding Venue Love The Free Company
When couples search online for:
Best wedding venues near Edinburgh
Rustic wedding venues Midlothian
Alternative wedding venues Scotland
Countryside wedding venues Edinburgh
The Free Company continues to appear as a fantastic option.
It combines:
Unique character
A relaxed atmosphere
Flexible wedding spaces
Countryside surroundings
Easy access from Edinburgh
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a wedding in or around Edinburgh and want something different from a traditional hotel venue, The Free Company offers a unique and welcoming setting.
With its rustic charm, flexible spaces, and beautiful surroundings near the Pentland Hills, it’s a wonderful place to celebrate your wedding day.
If you’re planning a Free Company wedding in Balerno and looking for an Edinburgh wedding photographer who specialises in relaxed, natural storytelling photography, we’d love to hear more about your plans.
Tash & Adam’s Wedding at The Free Company — Whisky, Rain Showers & Ceilidh Dancing
Tash and Adam’s wedding at The Free Company in Balerno was a brilliant celebration full of personality, laughter, and relaxed countryside charm. With a whisky-tasting morning, an intimate barn ceremony, and a lively ceilidh to end the night, their day had everything that makes a Scottish wedding so memorable.
One of the key advantages for their day was having two photographers, a husband and wife team, allowing us to capture every part of the story from both perspectives.
Morning Preparations at House of Cockburn
The morning preparations took place at the beautiful House of Cockburn, just a short distance from the wedding venue.
Having two photographers meant we could capture both sides of the morning without missing a moment.
Paula joined Tash and the bridal party, photographing the calm and excitement of the morning as hair and makeup were finished and the dress was carefully prepared.
While I spent the morning with Adam and the groomsmen, who were enjoying a relaxed start to the day in the garden — complete with a few glasses of whisky before the celebrations began.
These early moments are always full of personality and anticipation, and covering both sides of the morning preparations helps tell the complete story of the day.
Arriving in Style by Classic Land Rover
Once everyone was ready, the bridal party travelled to the venue in a classic Land Rover, a brilliant touch that suited the relaxed countryside setting perfectly.
The arrival created a lovely moment of excitement as guests gathered outside The Free Company ready for the ceremony.
An Intimate Barn Ceremony
The ceremony took place inside the venue’s beautiful rustic barn. The setting felt warm and intimate, with guests gathered close together as Tash and Adam exchanged their vows.
Barn ceremonies have such a lovely atmosphere — the wooden beams, rustic textures, and soft lighting create a relaxed environment that feels personal rather than formal.
Confetti and Courtyard Celebrations
After the ceremony, guests lined up outside for a confetti shower as the newlyweds walked out of the barn.
Confetti moments are always full of energy, laughter, and colour, and this one was no exception.
Following that, everyone gathered in the courtyard for the drinks reception, where we captured plenty of relaxed, candid moments of guests chatting, laughing, and enjoying the celebration.
Family Group Photos in the Courtyard
With the courtyard offering plenty of space and lovely natural light, it was the perfect location for the family group photographs.
Keeping group photos in one convenient spot meant guests could quickly return to enjoying their drinks while we captured the important family portraits.
Couple Portraits Around the Venue
After the group photos, we took some time for relaxed couple portraits around The Free Company.
The venue offers several lovely backdrops including the courtyard and surrounding garden areas, giving plenty of variety for photographs.
Just as we were finishing the portraits, the weather began to turn and a light rain shower arrived — a classic Scottish wedding moment. Fortunately, we had already captured some beautiful images, and the change in weather only added to the atmosphere of the day.
Speeches Full of Laughter
Once guests were seated inside, it was time for the speeches.
They were full of humour and great stories, with plenty of laughter throughout the room. These moments are always fantastic to photograph because the reactions from family and friends are so genuine.
A Fantastic Wedding Meal
Guests were then treated to an excellent dinner prepared by The Free Company’s in-house catering team.
The relaxed dining atmosphere inside the barn allowed everyone to enjoy great food and conversation before the evening celebrations began.
A Ceilidh First Dance
To start the evening festivities, Tash and Adam opened the dance floor with a ceilidh first dance.
It didn’t take long before guests joined them, and soon the dance floor was packed with energetic ceilidh dancing. There’s something wonderfully joyful about ceilidh dancing — it brings everyone together and fills the room with laughter, spinning, and a lot of enthusiastic effort from guests trying to remember the steps.
The Perfect Ending to a Brilliant Day
Tash and Adam’s wedding at The Free Company was a fantastic celebration from start to finish. From whisky in the garden to confetti in the courtyard and ceilidh dancing late into the evening, their day was full of character and unforgettable moments.
Having two photographers allowed us to capture the entire story — from the quiet morning preparations to the lively evening dance floor.
It was an absolute pleasure to document such a relaxed, joyful wedding in such a beautiful setting.
The Free Company Wedding Suppliers
Again, a big shout out to all the suppliers for your contribution to make every special moment of Tash & Adam’s wedding celebration at The Free Company; absolutely amazing and we look forward to working with you again soon!
