How to elope in Scotland
BEST PLACES TO ELOPE IN SCOTLAND
Scotland will always be my number one place for an UK elopement. It’s so vast and has so many beautiful options to elope to. I’ve put together a little guide of some of my top locations 🙂
WHY ELOPE
Elopements bring the focus of a wedding day back to you two without your day being a performance or a production of a traditional wedding. You can create the best day for the two of you from start to finish with or without guests. You can check out my elopement guide here.
There are many ways you can make your elopement unique. You could hand-fast, which is where the phrase ‘tying the knot’ came from. Write your own vows, celebrate with a picnic, hike and fizz. The possibilities are endless.
HOW TO PLAN A SCOTTISH ELOPEMENT
It can seem completely overwhelming knowing where to start with your elopement planning. The best thing to start with is deciding on a location and then finding a humanist to get a date booked in you can find a list of Scottish humanists here. Once that’s secured, it will be a lot easier to find your photographer with a fixed date. Then it’s time to start looking at hiring accommodation.
OUTDOOR LOCATIONS
Glencoe
Glencoe really ticks all the boxes, beautiful mountains, waterfalls, lochs and woodlands with the romantic atmospheric ethereal vibe.
The lost Valley & The three sisters are beautiful locations with the mountains as a backdrop. You don’t have to hike up a mountain either, there are some quiet spots within 5 minutes off road if you’re wanting to avoid the busy summer crowds. You can check out an elopement here.
Travel
Only a 2 hours drive from Glasgow and 2.5 from Edinburgh making it easy to get to if you’re flying in or travelling from the cities.
Accommodation
You can find some lovely places in Glencoe to stay on Air Bnb & places to stay on Booking.com
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is wild and stunning & if you’re wanting to really incorporate dramatic scenery into your elopement then the Isle of Skye is for you. The Old Man Storr is a large pinnacle of rocks and with a short hike up offering a stunning backdrop. Quiraing, Fairy Glen and Elgol are also beautiful elopement spots. You can check out an elopement here.
Travel
The nearest airports are Inverness which is nearly a 3 hour drive. Glasgow airport is 5 hours and Edinburgh airport also 5 hours. You can will need to hire a car, which is available at the airports, or Skye itself here.
Accommodation
You can find some lovely places in The Isle of Skye to stay on Air Bnb & places to stay on Booking.com
Loch an Eilein
Loch an Eilein is a beautiful tranquil place. You can rent a beautiful stone cottage overlooking the loch. There’s a woodland nearby and stunning views over the loch making it a quiet unique spot to say your vows.
Travel
You can reach Loch an Eilein from either driving from Edinburgh Airport which is around 2.5 hours, or Glasgow airport 3 hours drive.
Accommodation
You can find some lovely places in Loch an Eilein on Air Bnb & places to stay on Booking.com
The Outer Hebrides
If you’re wanting wild untouched beaches, the the Outer Hebrides offers one of the most stunning beaches in Scotland. Think turquoise water, sand and the mountain backdrop in the distance.
Travel
You can travel by ferry or look into flying. You can find out more information here.
Accommodation
You can find some lovely places in The Outer Hebrides on Air Bnb & places to stay on Booking.com
The Lodge on Lochgoilhead
A beautiful exclusive venue set in the stunning Lochgoilhead. There’s an amazing tree house too.
Travel
You can travel by car from the nearest airport Glasgow. Lochgoilhead is about a 30 minute drive from Loch Lomond . You can find out more information here.
Accommodation
You can find some lovely places in Lochgoilhead on Air Bnb & places to stay on Booking.com
Cairngorms
An ethereal wonderland full of forests and lochs offering plenty of secluded locations to say your vows.
Travel
You can travel by car from the nearest airport around 1 hour from Inverness
Accommodation
You can find some lovely places in Lochgoilhead on Air Bnb & places to stay on Booking.com
Little Loch Broom
About 30 minutes from Ullapool. If you are after a whole loch to yourself, then this is the place for you. You can rent a lovely BnB on the shore and conduct your ceremony. You can check out an elopement here.
Travel
You can travel by car from the nearest airport just over 1 hours drive Inverness.
Accommodation
You can find some lovely places in Little Loch Broom here.
Loch Lomond
This is a beautiful huge Loch with little beaches and little boat rides that can take you to the other side of the loch.
Travel
You can travel by car from the nearest airport Glasgow about 1 hours drive away.
Accommodation
You can find some lovely places in Loch Lomond on Air Bnb & places to stay on Booking.com
CITY ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS
Edinburgh
A beautiful romantic city with the picturesque old town and Arthurs seat.
Glasgow
Glasgow has some lovely town halls and historic parts to the city.
TRAVEL
The two big international airports are Edinburgh & Glasgow. To reach Isle of Skye and the northern Highlands Inverness has a few flights.
CAR HIRE
Car hire is essential if you are exploring the highlands. You can find a link to a car hire company here.
LEGAL
The beauty of Scotland is it’s legal to get married outdoors. Check with your country beforehand as you may need to give notice. You can find a list of lovely humanists here.
If you’re thinking of planning an elopement in Scotland and would like to talk about my elopement photography packages, I would love to hear from you.
