How to elope in Scotland
If you’ve been looking to elope somewhere beautiful, but aren’t sure where to start, let me convince you that Scotland is one of the most spectacular places to elope.
Scotland really does have it all. From its adventurous peaks in Glencoe, to the stunning landscapes of Isle of Skye – eloping in Scotland is a must for any couple seeking spectacular views on their elopement. Despite living in Suffolk, I’m lucky enough to call Scotland my second home and have explored this beautiful region of the UK for years. It never stops giving me butterflies venturing up to Scotland to capture intimate weddings and elopements in the Scottish highlands.
When you start researching how to elope in Scotland, the variety of information around can become quite overwhelming! Equally, when looking to elope, the number of questions you may have can feel endless! Due to it’s breathtaking landscapes, Scotland is forever growing in popularity and tourism each year. It’s no surprise that Scotland is very quickly becoming a photographers paradise. Unfortunately, as a result, many photographers will be quick to claim they’re an expert in Scotland elopements whilst having only visited once. This is what I’m here for and this is what, hopefully, this guide will be helpful for. In this particular blog post, I’m going to focus more on Western Scotland for eloping as this is by far the most beautiful (in my opinion!)
Beginners guide to eloping in Scotland
Planning your trip to Scotland
Where is Scotland?
Scotland is the most Northern part of the United Kingdom. Home to well loved cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, Scotland contains nearly a third of the entire land of the United Kingdom. If you’ve already started your research on eloping in Scotland, it’s likely you’ll have a long list of beautiful potential eloping spots already. Scotland also has the added beauty of having many accessible islands such as the Isle of Raasay, Isle of Mull, Harris and possibly the most popular in the Isle of Skye.
How to get to Scotland
Depending on which area of Scotland you’re looking at eloping in, there are plenty of options when it comes to transport to Scotland. The closest Scotland airports (depending on where you’re visiting) are:
- Glasgow
- Inverness
- Edinburgh
If you’re visiting Scotland from another part of the UK, the flexibility is far easier. However, if you’re eloping in Scotland using a long-haul flight from the USA or Asia, focussing on bigger city airports like Glasgow or Edinburgh would be best.
Once in Scotland, transport options are relatively straightforward although do require some forward planning. If you’re looking to elope, likely meaning you’ll be visiting more than one location on your elopement, my number one recommendation would be looking at car hire. Hiring a car gives you the greatest amount of flexibility on your elopement. You can have a full elopement adventure when hiring a car, not needing to worry about train times or bus timetables. Equally, if you are travelling to Scotland via an airport, car hire can be the simplest option as airport collection is usually available.
If you’re looking to travel to Scotland via trains, this will likely require a little more research depending on where you’re based but can be an excellent option for saving money as flights can often be quite pricey. Finally, if you have the option, driving to the highlands can be an excellent choice. It’s a long drive depending on where you’re based (around 8 hours for me!) but is a journey I make many times a year without any issues. In the same way as hiring a car, taking your own car allows for far more flexibility on your elopement without relying on public transport.
When to elope in Scotland
January
January is one of the coldest months to visit Scotland and you’re almost certainly guaranteeing a snowy elopement if you opt for this month! Whilst absolutely spectacular in the snow, January is notorious for causing travel chaos in Scotland due to unfathomable snowfall and icy conditions. Although popular for skiing, January is one of the quietest months to visit Scotland due to these cold conditions putting off a lot of tourism. Equally, most of the UK doesn’t have any holidays in January so tourism is at an all time low.
February
Like January, February is another one of the coldest months to experience Scotland. If visiting the highlands, you’ll more than likely experience snowfall. Similarly to January, this is a great time for limited tourism as there’s usually only one week of ‘half term’ holidays for UK schools so you can massively limit the number of people visiting your elopement spot!
March
March is a lovely option for couples looking to elope in Scotland. This being said, you’ll need to prepare yourself for changing weather with very likely rain and potential snowfall. Opting for later March is a lovely option for the moody tones in the Highlands and depending on when the Easter Holidays fall for local schools, it could be an excellent choice for a low number of tourists.
April
Scotland in April is beautiful, although can get quite busy if it coincides with the UK easter holidays. I originally toured Scotland on the NC500 for the whole of April in 2023 and it was spectacular. Although often changeable weather, April can often be hit with some warmer and sunnier days.
May
Possibly one of the most popular months to elope in Scotland is May. I’ve captured many elopements in May and it’s a great option for avoiding tourism ahead of the summer months. Equally, May in Scotland is usually quite mild and sunny. Equally, depending on the weather at the start of the year, you can still get some beautiful moody tones in the landscape without it being too chilly!
June
The summer in Scotland is the busiest for tourism and this will apply right through to the start of September. Whilst you may have slightly higher changes of a sunny day, you will almost guarantee being visited by tourists whilst you try to have an intimate elopement.
July
As mentioned for June, the summer in Scotland is the busiest time for visitors. Equally, it’s the time of year where midges (tiny flying bugs that bite) are out in full season and it can definitely put a big dampener on your elopement!
August
Whilst a common day for couples getting married in a more traditional sense, it’s a month I usually recommend eloping couples avoid. Given how the summer holidays fall for the United Kingdom, eloping anywhere between June to August almost guarantees everywhere heaving with tourism.
September
September traditionally marks the start of the Autumn for Scotland. With this being said, I’d encourage couples to look closer to October to give the Scottish landscape a chance to turn from vibrant green to fiery reds, oranges and yellows.
October
One of my favourite months to capture Scotland is in October. If you’re a couple who love the warm autumnal colours, October is sure to be a month you’d love to elope in Scotland! Whilst a little chillier than May, it can be a fantastic option for low tourism and avoiding the typical snowfall of November!
November
November in Scotland is on the cusp of winter. Depending on the area you’re looking at, you could be so lucky to get snowfall on your elopement in November without the huge impact on transport due to it being earlier in the year. November is definitely a cooler month than October, but can be fantastic for offering moody and dramatic landscapes to your elopement.
December
Finally, December in Scotland is a month suited to couples who want a true adventure on their elopement. Typically very cold, with very limited daylight hours, Scotland can be beautiful at this time of year but will oftentimes require a bit more planning to ensure you have daylight for as long as possible whilst eloping
The best elopement locations in Scotland
We’ve spoken about the best time of year to elope in Scotland, now it’s time to start looking at the best elopement locations in Scotland!
1. Quiraing, Isle of Skye
Quiraing, on the Isle of Skye, is arguably one of the most popular places in Scotland to elope. Boasting a pretty easy hike with the most spectacular views over a valley, it’s no surprise that Quiraing is one of the most popular elopement spots.
Quiraing is a great option for couples eloping on Scotland. With a car park just a stones throw from the stunning views, you can opt for a short 5 minute walk (if that!) or do the full 2 hour loop walk if you’d rather a hike on your day. Due to the popularity of Isle of Skye, Quiraing can get quite busy with tourism. With that being said, I’ve been lucky enough to visit Quiraing with barely anyone else in sight so there are definitely ways around this.
As with every location, opting for a sunrise session at Quiraing would be the best way to make the most of the scenery without many other visitors. Equally, if you’re visiting on a midweek (not in any of the UK holidays!) you’re automatically avoiding a lot of additional tourism. This is a beautiful ceremony location to start your elopement with and I’ve posted about a couple who did this as part of their elopement which can be read here.
2. The Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
I’m a little bias on this one, as The Fairy Pools is my favourite spot in Scotland. Based on the Isle of Skye, although just over an hour drive from Quiraing, The Fairy Pools is one of the most mesmerising locations on the whole of Scotland. In fact, despite visiting hundreds of places on the NC500,
The Fairy Pools was easily in my top 3 favourites! The Fairy Pools is such a magical location boasting tremendous natural beauty. I’ve been lucky enough to visit this location during both the sunniest of elopements and the gloomiest of days and in both weather conditions, it’s so beyond spectacular. Sat at the foot of the famous Cuillin mountains, The Fairy Pools is a series of mountain waterfalls.
On a similar vein to Quiraing, The Fairy Pools can get quite busy with tourism so it’s best to avoid off peak times as much as possible. With that being said, I’ve been at The Fairy Pools for an elopement at possibly the most ‘peak’ time and there are always ways to sulk off and find a quieter spot.
3. The Wee House, Glencoe
The Wee House, officially named the Lagangarbh Hut is such a tremendous gem in the Glencoe landscape. The juxtaposition of a tiny hut with the dramatic mountainous landscape behind makes for the most beautiful ceremony location or portraits during your elopement. Contrary to the other two locations I’ve discussed, The Wee House is actually adjacent to a main road (the A82) which makes access super easy. It can get quite busy due to it’s popularity, but I’ve captured many elopements in and around the area so it’s an easy one to avoid tourism even at peak-season. With the flexibility of Glencoe, too, it’s such a perfect spot to take a hike from (or to!) if you’d like a hike as part of your elopement day.
4. Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye
Not for the faint hearted, Old Man of Storr is the perfect elopement location for couples who are craving an adventurous elopement. Picturesque in its rugged landscape, Old Man of Storr is arguably the most popular attraction on the whole of the Isle of Skye.
At around 2 hours hiking time, this can be a tough climb but is so worth it when you reach the dramatic views and landscapes. Old Man of Storr is definitely a no brainer for couples who crave an adventurous elopement. With that being said, due to the height of Storr, it’s worth bearing in mind that the elements can be in full force (so even on the hottest days, it could be bitterly cold once you’ve hiked to the top!) I’ve captured an elopement which includes the Old Man of Storr as a portrait spot which you can read here.
5. Glen Etive, Glencoe
Does this name ring a bell? If you’re a fan of James Bond, this spectacular road was used in the Bond film Skyfall. I’ve been lucky enough to capture numerous weddings and elopements on this gorgeous stretch of road and every time it takes my breath away!
This road is roughly 13 miles long and includes mountains and lakes which are all absolutely stunning. There’s a very small car park at the end of this road which can make for a great hiking spot to a quieter ceremony location or some elopement portraits. This is a marvellous option for mountainous surroundings. I’ve written a blog post for a beautiful elopement where the couple had their ceremony at Glen Etive which I highly recommend reading.
6. The Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye
Last, but not least, we have The Fairy Glen. It’s no surprise that a lot of my list of the best elopement locations in Scotland include those from Isle of Skye. I specialise in Isle of Skye and Glencoe elopements for a reason (because they’re so gosh darn beautiful!!)
The Fairy Glen is absolutely no exception to the rule. Based in Uig, the Fairy Glen is steeped in geological wonder and is the perfect elopement spot for couples desiring mystery or perhaps a hint of folklore in their elopement. The Fairy Glen is a gorgeous spiritual location which has been a perfect spot for eloping couples wanting something a little more untraditional and tranquil in their elopement.
The Best Places to stay in Scotland
There are so many spectacular places to stay in Scotland. For couples eloping, usually I recommend opting for accommodation which is entirely yours – like a Airbnb. As this will allow for some quiet time in the morning of your elopement and some photos of you both getting ready, if you’d like. It goes without saying, I would always recommend you plan where you’d like to elope before you book your accommodation (to avoid lengthy drives to your ceremony location)
Here are some of my favourite places to stay near Glencoe, Scotland:
(One of my lovely couples got ready here in the morning of their elopement, which you can view here)
Here are some of my favourite places to stay near the Isle of Skye, Scotland:
How to get married in Scotland
Legal marriage ceremonies in Scotland
It’s no mystery of the stereotype of travelling to Gretna Green in the 70s to be able to elope. The same still applies: you can legally get married anywhere outdoors in Scotland. This means you don’t have to pay for a venue and you don’t have to worry about needing to say “I do” in an awkward registry office the day before. My number one recommendation is to hire a celebrant for your elopement. Celebrants are absolutely spectacular at designing your elopement to fit “you” as much as possible. I’ve been lucky enough to witness some stunning celebrant led ceremonies and let me tell you: it’s so beyond worth it.
To elope legally in Scotland, you would need a celebrant and two witnesses (but your photographer usually can stand as a witness, if you’d like!) I’ve had couples choose witnesses who happened to hike past on the day of their elopement (complete strangers!), so everything is possible with a bit of forward thinking!
Can LGBTQIA+ couples get married in Scotland?
In 2014, Scotland (finally!) allowed same sex couples to get legally married in Scotland. This means if you are LGBTQIA+, you can say “I do” anywhere you’d like to in Scotland (yes, even outdoors!) and have it be legal. Equally, civil partnerships are also legal in Scotland.
What should your elopement look like?
As we’ve already discussed, elopements are deliberately fully free and flexible for you to plan your day however you’d like. Without the regiments (or cost) of a traditional wedding, elopements really do offer so much freedom to couples. With that being said, I always work closely with my couples to help them plan a day that feels perfect for them. This is why hiring an elopement photographer who knows Scotland well is so important. I will frequently offer guidance on locations, timings and a gentle schedule to allow you to make the most out of your day without feeling rushed or missing key parts.
How many locations should you visit on your elopement?
This completely depends on what you’d like your Scotland elopement to look like. Equally, the area of Scotland you’re looking at may restrict the number of locations you can realistically do in a day. If you’re looking to elope on the Isle of Skye, I would usually recommend 2-3 locations within your elopement day. That being said, if you’re looking at a long hike and a relaxing lunch, I’d recommend closer to the 2 locations so you can enjoy them fully. Equally, if you’re more interested in an adventure and visiting as many Skye locations as possible, you could do around 5 in a day depending on how early you’d like to get up in the morning. This schedule needs to be made with a fine balance of enjoyment and exploring.
I’ve captured a lot of Scotland elopements where the couple will wake up early, hike before sunrise and then have a relaxed dinner and evening with some photos back at their accommodation as they wind down in a hot tub. Equally, I’ve had couples decide they want their elopement to be adventurous but at a slower pace; a relaxed morning but continuing until sunset can be a lovely choice for this. Ultimately, the choice of your elopement schedule is completely yours and I can help to offer guidance based on your preferences.
What activities could you do on your elopement in Scotland?
Eloping in Scotland doesn’t mean it’s a full-day photo shoot! Your full-day elopement is simply how you’d like to spend your wedding day with your partner and what experiences you’d like to have together. So much of my elopement photography is capturing the little moments as much as the big. It goes without saying that I’ll be capturing the ring exchange, but I’ll also be capturing you both attempt to get into a boat with your wedding attire on! It’s these moments you’ll want to remember as well as the first kiss.
In Scotland you’ll be spoilt for choice on your options for activities on your elopement day. This section is just ideas, but there will be dozens more if you continue to do some further research (and I’m always happy to advise further!)
- Take a hike up Old Man of Storr and enjoy a picnic at the top
- Follow the hike trail around Bauchaille Etive Mór in Glencoe
- Take a boat ride over to Loch Coruisk and enjoy a couple hours exploring this Loch
- Visit Portree, the capital of Isle of Skye and enjoy a pint in the local pub
- Enjoy an evening at your accommodation in a hot tub with a glass of bubbly
- Hire a private chef to cook your favourite meal in comfort
- Watch the sunset on one of the gorgeous Skye beaches
How much does eloping in Scotland cost?
Budgeting for an elopement, much like a wedding, is very important. It’s hard to give a price for eloping as a lot will depend on how much you want to spend and what you want to do on your day. You can easily elope on a small budget or take all the money you’ve been saving on a big wedding to spend on an epic adventure in the Scottish highlands.
My number one recommendation when planning your elopement in Scotland is to hire your elopement photographer first (that’s me!) and then I can help with the planning process further if you’d like advise. I have a great connection with Scottish wedding suppliers who can be a great help when planning your day.
Why should I capture your elopement in Scotland?
If all of the above isn’t clear enough – I specialise in Scotland elopements. This means I’m an expert in offering the right guidance and advise to couples looking to elope in the highlands. I work with my couples to create a dream elopement YOU. My elopement photography is about capturing all of the raw, intimate and emotional moments an elopement brings. Whether that means the jaw-dropping adventure or the quiet motion of your elopement. Even before your elopement day begins, I aim to be your new closest friend, your help planning and the person who will capture your memories for life. Meaning when I arrive on the morning of your elopement, I’m a familiar face and a comfort on the best day of your lives.
I’d love to hear more about your elopement plans, even if you’re just trying to figure out pricing at the moment! Please get in touch if you’d like a quote, some more guidance and a chat about how your Scotland elopement might look!
How to elope in Scotland | @ 2024 charlotte wotton photography
How to elope in Scotland
Eloping is crazily exciting! Deciding to elope is often one of the most amazing decisions you can make to start your new life as a married couple. Away from tradition, eloping has full freedom to plan your day EXACTLY as you’d like. You can elope where you want, do what you want and you don’t have to invite a single soul if you don’t want to.
If you’ve been looking to elope somewhere beautiful, but aren;’t sure where to start, let me convince you that Scotland is one of the most spectacular places to elope.
Scotland really does have it all. From its adventurous peaks in Glencoe, to the stunning landscapes of Isle of Skye – eloping in Scotland is a must for any couple seeking spectacular views on their elopement. Despite living in Suffolk, I’m lucky enough to call Scotland my second home and have explored this beautiful region of the UK for years. It never stops giving me butterflies venturing up to Scotland to capture intimate weddings and elopements in the Scottish highlands.
When you start researching how to elope in Scotland, the variety of information around can become quite overwhelming! Equally, when looking to elope, the number of questions you may have can feel endless! Due to it’s breathtaking landscapes, Scotland is forever growing in popularity and tourism each year. It’s no surprise that Scotland is very quickly becoming a photographers paradise.
Unfortunately, as a result, many photographers will be quick to claim they’re an expert in Scotland elopements whilst having only visited once. This is what I’m here for and this is what, hopefully, this guide will be helpful for. In this particular blog post, I’m going to focus more on Western Scotland for eloping as this is by far the most beautiful (in my opinion!)
Planning your trip to Scotland
Where is Scotland?
Scotland is the most Northern part of the United Kingdom. Home to well loved cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, Scotland contains nearly a third of the entire land of the United Kingdom. If you’ve already started your research on eloping in Scotland, it’s likely you’ll have a long list of beautiful potential eloping spots already. Scotland also has the added beauty of having many accessible islands such as the Isle of Raasay, Isle of Mull, Harris and possibly the most popular in the Isle of Skye.
How to get to Scotland
Depending on which area of Scotland you’re looking at eloping in, there are plenty of options when it comes to transport to Scotland. The closest Scotland airports (depending on where you’re visiting) are:
- Glasgow
- Inverness
- Edinburgh
If you’re visiting Scotland from another part of the UK, the flexibility is far easier. However, if you’re eloping in Scotland using a long-haul flight from the USA or Asia, focussing on bigger city airports like Glasgow or Edinburgh would be best.
Once in Scotland, transport options are relatively straightforward although do require some forward planning. If you’re looking to elope, likely meaning you’ll be visiting more than one location on your elopement, my number one recommendation would be looking at car hire. Hiring a car gives you the greatest amount of flexibility on your elopement. You can have a full elopement adventure when hiring a car, not needing to worry about train times or bus timetables. Equally, if you are travelling to Scotland via an airport, car hire can be the simplest option as airport collection is usually available.
When to elope in Scotland
January
January is one of the coldest months to visit Scotland and you’re almost certainly guaranteeing a snowy elopement if you opt for this month! Whilst absolutely spectacular in the snow, January is notorious for causing travel chaos in Scotland due to unfathomable snowfall and icy conditions. Although popular for skiing, January is one of the quietest months to visit Scotland due to these cold conditions putting off a lot of tourism. Equally, most of the UK doesn’t have any holidays in January so tourism is at an all time low.
February
Like January, February is another one of the coldest months to experience Scotland. If visiting the highlands, you’ll more than likely experience snowfall. Similarly to January, this is a great time for limited tourism as there’s usually only one week of ‘half term’ holidays for UK schools so you can massively limit the number of people visiting your elopement spot!
March
March is a lovely option for couples looking to elope in Scotland. This being said, you’ll need to prepare yourself for changing weather with very likely rain and potential snowfall. Opting for later March is a lovely option for the moody tones in the Highlands and depending on when the Easter Holidays fall for local schools, it could be an excellent choice for a low number of tourists.
April
Scotland in April is beautiful, although can get quite busy if it coincides with the UK easter holidays. I originally toured Scotland on the NC500 for the whole of April in 2023 and it was spectacular. Although often changeable weather, April can often be hit with some warmer and sunnier days.
May
Possibly one of the most popular months to elope in Scotland is May. I’ve captured many elopements in May and it’s a great option for avoiding tourism ahead of the summer months. Equally, May in Scotland is usually quite mild and sunny. Equally, depending on the weather at the start of the year, you can still get some beautiful moody tones in the landscape without it being too chilly!
June
The summer in Scotland is the busiest for tourism and this will apply right through to the start of September. Whilst you may have slightly higher changes of a sunny day, you will almost guarantee being visited by tourists whilst you try to have an intimate elopement.
July
As mentioned for June, the summer in Scotland is the busiest time for visitors. Equally, it’s the time of year where midges (tiny flying bugs that bite) are out in full season and it can definitely put a big dampener on your elopement!
August
Whilst a common day for couples getting married in a more traditional sense, it’s a month I usually recommend eloping couples avoid. Given how the summer holidays fall for the United Kingdom, eloping anywhere between June to August almost guarantees everywhere heaving with tourism.
September
September traditionally marks the start of the Autumn for Scotland. With this being said, I’d encourage couples to look closer to October to give the Scottish landscape a chance to turn from vibrant green to fiery reds, oranges and yellows.
October
One of my favourite months to capture Scotland is in October. If you’re a couple who love the warm autumnal colours, October is sure to be a month you’d love to elope in Scotland! Whilst a little chillier than May, it can be a fantastic option for low tourism and avoiding the typical snowfall of November!
November
November in Scotland is on the cusp of winter. Depending on the area you’re looking at, you could be so lucky to get snowfall on your elopement in November without the huge impact on transport due to it being earlier in the year. November is definitely a cooler month than October, but can be fantastic for offering moody and dramatic landscapes to your elopement.
December
Finally, December in Scotland is a month suited to couples who want a true adventure on their elopement. Typically very cold, with very limited daylight hours, Scotland can be beautiful at this time of year but will oftentimes require a bit more planning to ensure you have daylight for as long as possible whilst eloping
The best elopement locations in Scotland
We’ve spoken about the best time of year to elope in Scotland, now it’s time to start looking at the best elopement locations in Scotland!
1. Quiraing, Isle of Skye
Quiraing, on the Isle of Skye, is arguably one of the most popular places in Scotland to elope. Boasting a pretty easy hike with the most spectacular views over a valley, it’s no surprise that Quiraing is one of the most popular elopement spots.
Quiraing is a great option for couples eloping on Scotland. With a car park just a stones throw from the stunning views, you can opt for a short 5 minute walk (if that!) or do the full 2 hour loop walk if you’d rather a hike on your day. Due to the popularity of Isle of Skye, Quiraing can get quite busy with tourism. With that being said, I’ve been lucky enough to visit Quiraing with barely anyone else in sight so there are definitely ways around this.
As with every location, opting for a sunrise session at Quiraing would be the best way to make the most of the scenery without many other visitors. Equally, if you’re visiting on a midweek (not in any of the UK holidays!) you’re automatically avoiding a lot of additional tourism. This is a beautiful ceremony location to start your elopement with and I’ve posted about a couple who did this as part of their elopement which can be read here.
2. The Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
I’m a little bias on this one, as The Fairy Pools is my favourite spot in Scotland. Based on the Isle of Skye, although just over an hour drive from Quiraing, The Fairy Pools is one of the most mesmerising locations on the whole of Scotland. In fact, despite visiting hundreds of places on the NC500,
The Fairy Pools was easily in my top 3 favourites! The Fairy Pools is such a magical location boasting tremendous natural beauty. I’ve been lucky enough to visit this location during both the sunniest of elopements and the gloomiest of days and in both weather conditions, it’s so beyond spectacular. Sat at the foot of the famous Cuillin mountains, The Fairy Pools is a series of mountain waterfalls.
On a similar vein to Quiraing, The Fairy Pools can get quite busy with tourism so it’s best to avoid off peak times as much as possible. With that being said, I’ve been at The Fairy Pools for an elopement at possibly the most ‘peak’ time and there are always ways to sulk off and find a quieter spot.
3. The Wee House, Glencoe
The Wee House, actually named the Lagangarbh Hutis such a tremendous gem in the Glencoe landscape. The juxtaposition of a tiny hut with the dramatic mountainous landscape behind makes for the most beautiful ceremony location or portraits during your elopement. Contrary to the other two locations I’ve discussed, The Wee House is actually adjacent to a main road (the A82) which makes access super easy.
4. Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye
Not for the faint hearted, Old Man of Storr is the perfect elopement location for couples who are craving an adventurous elopement. Picturesque in its rugged landscape, Old Man of Storr is arguably the most popular attraction on the whole of the Isle of Skye.
At around 2 hours hiking time, this can be a tough climb but is so worth it when you reach the dramatic views and landscapes. Old Man of Storr is definitely a no brainer for couples who crave an adventurous elopement. With that being said, due to the height of Storr, it’s worth bearing in mind that the elements can be in full force (so even on the hottest days, it could be bitterly cold once you’ve hiked to the top!) I’ve captured an elopement which includes the Old Man of Storr as a portrait spot which you can read here.
5. Glen Etive, Glencoe
Does this name ring a bell? If you’re a fan of James Bond, this spectacular road was used in the Bond film Skyfall. I’ve been lucky enough to capture numerous weddings and elopements on this gorgeous stretch of road and every time it takes my breath away!
This road is roughly 13 miles long and includes mountains and lakes which are all absolutely stunning. There’s a very small car park at the end of this road which can make for a great hiking spot to a quieter ceremony location or some elopement portraits. This is a marvellous option for mountainous surroundings. I’ve written a blog post for a beautiful elopement where the couple had their ceremony at Glen Etive which I highly recommend reading.
6. The Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye
Last, but not least, we have The Fairy Glen. It’s no surprise that a lot of my list of the best elopement locations in Scotland include those from Isle of Skye. I specialise in Isle of Skye and Glencoe elopements for a reason (because they’re so gosh darn beautiful!!)
The Fairy Glen is absolutely no exception to the rule. Based in Uig, the Fairy Glen is steeped in geological wonder and is the perfect elopement spot for couples desiring mystery or perhaps a hint of folklore in their elopement. The Fairy Glen is a gorgeous spiritual location which has been a perfect spot for eloping couples wanting something a little more untraditional and tranquil in their elopement.
The Best Places to stay in Scotland
There are so many spectacular places to stay in Scotland. For couples eloping, usually I recommend opting for accommodation which is entirely yours – like a Airbnb. As this will allow for some quiet time in the morning of your elopement and some photos of you both getting ready, if you’d like. It goes without saying, I would always recommend you plan where you’d like to elope before you book your accommodation (to avoid lengthy drives to your ceremony location)
Here are some of my favourite places to stay near Glencoe, Scotland:
- The Glencoe Inn (One of my lovely couples got ready here in the morning of their elopement, which you can view here)
- Invernahyle Cottage
Here are some of my favourite places to stay near the Isle of Skye, Scotland:
- Tinhouse
- Stonechat Bothy by the sea, Isle of Skye
- An Airigh
How to get married in Scotland
Legal marriage ceremonies in Scotland
You can legally get married anywhere outdoors in Scotland. My number one recommendation is to hire a celebrant for your elopement. Celebrants are absolutely spectacular at designing your elopement to fit “you” as much as possible. I’ve been lucky enough to witness some stunning celebrant led ceremonies and let me tell you: it’s so beyond worth it.
To elope legally in Scotland, you would need a celebrant and two witnesses (but your photographer usually can stand as a witness, if you’d like!) I’ve had couples choose witnesses who happened to hike past on the day of their elopement (complete strangers!), so everything is possible with a bit of forward thinking!
Can LGBTQIA+ couples get married in Scotland?
In 2014, Scotland (finally!) allowed same sex couples to get legally married in Scotland. This means if you are LGBTQIA+, you can say “I do” anywhere you’d like to in Scotland (yes, even outdoors!) and have it be legal. Equally, civil partnerships are also legal in Scotland.
What should your elopement look like?
As we’ve already discussed, elopements are deliberately fully free and flexible for you to plan your day however you’d like. Without the regiments (or cost) of a traditional wedding, elopements really do offer so much freedom to couples. With that being said, I always work closely with my couples to help them plan a day that feels perfect for them. This is why hiring an elopement photographer who knows Scotland well is so important. I will frequently offer guidance on locations, timings and a gentle schedule to allow you to make the most out of your day without feeling rushed or missing key parts.
How many locations should you visit on your elopement?
This completely depends on what you’d like your Scotland elopement to look like. Equally, the area of Scotland you’re looking at may restrict the number of locations you can realistically do in a day. If you’re looking to elope on the Isle of Skye, I would usually recommend 2-3 locations within your elopement day. That being said, if you’re looking at a long hike and a relaxing lunch, I’d recommend closer to the 2 locations so you can enjoy them fully. Equally, if you’re more interested in an adventure and visiting as many Skye locations as possible, you could do around 5 in a day depending on how early you’d like to get up in the morning. This schedule needs to be made with a fine balance of enjoyment and exploring.
I’ve captured a lot of Scotland elopements where the couple will wake up early, hike before sunrise and then have a relaxed dinner and evening with some photos back at their accommodation as they wind down in a hot tub. Equally, I’ve had couples decide they want their elopement to be adventurous but at a slower pace; a relaxed morning but continuing until sunset can be a lovely choice for this. Ultimately, the choice of your elopement schedule is completely yours and I can help to offer guidance based on your preferences.
What activities could you do on your elopement in Scotland?
Eloping in Scotland doesn’t mean it’s a full-day photo shoot! Your full-day elopement is simply how you’d like to spend your wedding day with your partner and what experiences you’d like to have together. So much of my elopement photography is capturing the little moments as much as the big. It goes without saying that I’ll be capturing the ring exchange, but I’ll also be capturing you both attempt to get into a boat with your wedding attire on! It’s these moments you’ll want to remember as well as the first kiss.
- Take a hike up Old Man of Storr and enjoy a picnic at the top
- Follow the hike trail around Bauchaille Etive Mór in Glencoe
- Take a boat ride over to Loch Coruisk and enjoy a couple hours exploring this Loch
- Visit Portree, the capital of Isle of Skye and enjoy a pint in the local pub
- Enjoy an evening at your accommodation in a hot tub with a glass of bubbly
- Hire a private chef to cook your favourite meal in comfort
- Watch the sunset on one of the gorgeous Skye beaches
How much does eloping in Scotland cost?
Budgeting for an elopement, much like a wedding, is very important. It’s hard to give a price for eloping as a lot will depend on how much you want to spend and what you want to do on your day. You can easily elope on a small budget or take all the money you’ve been saving on a big wedding to spend on an epic adventure in the Scottish highlands.
My number one recommendation when planning your elopement in Scotland is to hire your elopement photographer first (that’s me!) and then I can help with the planning process further if you’d like advise. I have a great connection with Scottish wedding suppliers who can be a great help when planning your day.
Why should I capture your elopement in Scotland?
If all of the above isn’t clear enough – I specialise in Scotland elopements. This means I’m an expert in offering the right guidance and advise to couples looking to elope in the highlands. I work with my couples to create a dream elopement YOU. My elopement photography is about capturing all of the raw, intimate and emotional moments an elopement brings. Whether that means the jaw-dropping adventure or the quiet motion of your elopement. Even before your elopement day begins, I aim to be your new closest friend, your help planning and the person who will capture your memories for life. Meaning when I arrive on the morning of your elopement, I’m a familiar face and a comfort on the best day of your lives.
I’d love to hear more about your elopement plans, even if you’re just trying to figure out pricing at the moment! Please get in touch if you’d like a quote, some more guidance and a chat about how your Scotland elopement might look!
Scotland elopement planning guide| @ 2024 Charlotte wotton Photography