Scottish Cultural Centre

Some venues carry the warmth of a community that has been gathering in the same place for decades.

The Vancouver Scottish Cultural Centre, on the city's West Side between Oak and Granville streets near SW Marine Drive, has been a Vancouver institution since 1986 and welcomes everyone for dances, banquets, fundraisers and weddings.

The heart of the building is the Caledonian Ballroom on the main floor, a space of nearly 5,000 square feet with a stage, hardwood floor, a 20-foot ceiling and two rows of windows running its full length. It can welcome up to 390 guests.

The ballroom divides into two smaller halls. The Hebridean holds up to 200 guests and is often used for a wedding reception, while the Cairngorm, for up to 100, is often used for the ceremony, keeping both parts of the day under one roof.

Tables, chairs, setup and staff are included, along with use of the commercial kitchen and the foyer bar, which keeps the ballroom floor free for dining and dancing.

Couples can bring their own caterer, and staff are happy to recommend decorators and caterers they trust. If the room is available, couples can decorate the day before.

Family and friends might fill the hall for dinner and dancing, with the evening feeling like a true community celebration.

For couples who want a welcoming, established West Side hall with room for both ceremony and reception, the Scottish Cultural Centre offers space, experience and a sense of tradition.