HOW TO ELOPE IN SCOTLAND
HOW TO ELOPE IN SCOTLAND in 2024
Are you planning an elopement in Scotland? Imagine reciting your vows surrounded by dramatic mountains ranges, on the shores of an idyllic loch or beach, or in a misty woodland.
Whatever you may adore about Scotland – the majestic landscapes, the magnificent native wildlife, countless ancient castles, or our friendly hospitality - it is truly magical.
Whether you have already decided that an elopement in Scotland is for you, or you’re in the midst of deciding, as a Scotland elopement photographer, I am here to help you.
So, here is how to elope in Scotland!
Step By Step - How to Elope in Scotland
Choose Your Location
Decide on a Date - When to Elope in Scotland
Book Your Celebrant
Book Travel and Accommodation
Complete Marriage Paperwork
What to Wear when Eloping in Scotland
Create Your Scotland Elopement Timeline
Choose your location
Scotland has so many breath-taking locations, from bustling cultural cities to the complete wilderness of the highlands and islands, there are plenty of options! The great thing about eloping in Scotland is that you can have your ceremony pretty much anywhere, granted you have a celebrant conducting your ceremony (more on that later).
I’ve photographed elopements all over Scotland, and while I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite, I’ve listed my top 5 places to give you some inspiration.
Top 5 Places to Elope in Scotland
Glencoe
2. Isle of Skye
3. Torridon & Wester Ross
4. Assynt
5. Edinburgh
Glencoe Elopement
Home to one of Scotland’s most recognisable mountains, Buachalle Etive Mor, and famous glens, Glencoe is one of the most epic locations to get married.
There are so many beautiful spots in the area to have your ceremony, such as the Glencoe Lochan, The Three Sisters, Glen Etive, and there are several hotels, accommodation and restaurants in the area. If you’re planning a Glencoe elopement, here is some accommodation I would recommend:
The Kingshouse Hotel - this hotel arguably has the best view in all of Glencoe, based in the heart of Glencoe, with and serves amazing food & drink!
Woodlands Glencoe - Luxury lodges, the Riverbeds and Seabeds are a perfect hideaway to escape, and include hot tubs, as well as other experiences such as whisky tasting, archery and a golf course.
Ardrhu House - An impeccably restored Scottish Baronial manor nestled between the great Ben Nevis and Loch Linnhe affording sweeping views from Glencoe all the way to Isle of Mull and across to Ardnamurchan peninsula. With several beautifully decorated luxury rooms, restaurant and spa available to book.
ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT
The Isle of Skye, also known as the Misty Isle, is a popular elopement location and it’s not hard to see why! The island has a truly unique landscape, from the dramatic mountain ranges, cliff edges and stunning waterfalls. My favourite spots are The Fairy Pools, The Old Man of Stor and The Quraing.
Accommodation:
The Red Skye Fox Retreat - a luxury clamping getaway for two with amazing views of the Trottenish Ridge. The cosy cabin has an outdoor bath on the secluded deck, perfect for soaking up the views!
Monkstadt1745 - a beautiful luxurious lodge steeped in history on the most northern peninsula of Skye. They have several four-poster bed suites in the main lodge, as well as self-catering cottages.
Black H Harlosh - a minimalistic and secluded hideaway for two on the west coast of Skye, this modern accommodation boasts panoramic views over Loch Bracadale and to the Cuillin Hills.
TORRIDON & WESTER ROSS
A lesser known, but equally breath-taking area of the Scottish Highlands is Torridon & Wester Ross, with its dramatic mountain ranges, vast lochs and sandy beaches, it really is an amazing place to elope. It holds a special place in my heart as this is where Mike & I chose to elope - you can read our elopement blog post here for more inspiration.
Accommodation:
The Torridon Hotel - a 5-star luxury resort, the Torridon Hotel boasts 18 beautifully designed bedrooms, as well as the Boathouse - a private waterside retreat with fabulous views over Loch Torridon to the mountain range. They offer a range of outdoor activities available to book.
The Torridon Estate - a family run estate nestled in amongst woodlands, beneath the dramatic mountain ranges of Beinn Alligin and Liathach, the Torridon Estate comprises of Torridon House and four self-catering cottages. This is where we stayed on our own elopement!
Shieldaig Camping & Cabins - Located in the nearby village of Shieldaig, this small campsite overlooks the Loch and has three newly built wooden clamping cabins - the perfect base to explore the local area. There’s the Shieldaig Bar & Coastal Kitchen which serves fresh seafood, as well as the Shieldaig Adventures if you want to Kayak or explore the mountain ranges with a guide.
ASSYNT ELOPEMENT
This area is even less well known and populated, it’s also further north, but well worth the trip for the majestic scenery. The Wailing Widow Waterfall is such a spectacular elopement spot, your ceremony can be held at the foot of the waterfall, or from the top (both spots are a must for photos!). You can find out more about Assynt here.
Accommodation:
Kylesku Hotel - an award-winning small hotel, north of Ullapool, which overlooks Loch Glendhu and serves fresh seafood and locally sourced food & drink. The hotel offers Highland Experiences, which includes boat tours, outdoor activities and guided walks in the area.
Newton Lodge - set amidst stunning scenery in Unapool near Kylesku, overlooking Loch Glencoul. The hotel also offers Highland Experiences, which includes boat tours and guided walks in the area. The rustic bar and restaurant serve locally sourced food and drink.
Assnyt Cottage - a newly renovated, traditional croft house on the Stoer Penninsula in Clashmore, near Lochinver, Sutherland. This self-catering cottage sleeps 4 and has fantastic views of Sutherland's major mountains, the sea, and in the distance, the Western Isles.
EDINBURGH ELOPEMENT
It’s only right that I include a city elopement location. Edinburgh has so much history and character, and offers a variety of bars, hotels and restaurants. There are amazing ceremony locations over-looking the city at Calton Hill & Arthurs Seat, with plenty of picturesque, cobbled streets and old town spots to visit.
Accommodation:
The Witchery - an award-winning, beautifully unique & indulgent hotel with 9 incredibly decorated suites, set in the historic Old Town of Edinburgh. Dine in the candle-lit Secret Garden with its hand-painted ceiling and secluded terrace for dining or cocktails.
No11 Brasserie & Boutique Hotel - A short walk from Calton Hill, No11 is a Georgian period town house and boasts an award-winning restaurant. It has luxurious Georgian suits with modern facilities, while retaining the original features and character.
The Castle Hub… a magical stay! - This is one for the Harry Potter fans, a cosy loft Airbnb with a Harry Potter twist, located on the doorstep of Edinburgh Castle.
Decide on a Date - When to Elope in Scotland
Ultimately, the choice is yours as you can elope in Scotland at any time of the year, however, the seasons, of course, are going to give you a different atmosphere.
September through November is a wonderful time to elope in Scotland, with the gorgeous autumnal colours, the landscape turns burnt orange, and the light is beautifully soft. The crisp autumn and winter seasons are personally my favourite time of year in Scotland.
Scotland often experiences the driest and sunniest weather in late April and May, making this an excellent time to elope in Scotland, although take that with a pinch of salt, as the Scottish weather is very unpredictable all year round!
The busiest months in Scotland are typically June through August, so well-known tourist spots can be crowded, andit’s a good idea to reserve your accommodation well in advance if you plan to elope during this time.
BOOK YOUR CELEBRANT
Once you've decided on a location and your date, it's time to contact a celebrant. In Scotland we are lucky to have amazing Humanist celebrants who will tell your story in a unique and heartfelt way.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with some wonderful celebrants, including Rona Burstow, Gary Smith (who conducted our own ceremony), Ashton Easter and David Smith.
Your celebrant will discuss with you about what to include in your ceremony; you might want to write your own vows or include some Celtic traditions such as a handfasting ceremony or drinking whisky from the quaich.
You must get in touch with the regional office closest to your preferred location if you need a registrar.
Book Your Accomodation and Travel
Once you have decided and secured your elopement date, you’ll want to book the accommodation, for yourself and any guests you may have attending, as places can book up pretty quickly depending on the time of year and where you’re planning to elope.
As well as this, don’t forget your travel plans! If you aren’t driving, then book your travel. Or, you may require travel to get to place to place throughout your day if you do not plan to stay in the same location.
COMPLETE YOUR Marriage Paperwork
Scotland is unique as you can legally get married anywhere as long as you have a registered celebrant and two witnesses present. Depending on the location, if it’s private property, you’ll need the owner’s permission first to hold the ceremony there.
To legally marry, you will both need to complete the Marriage Notice Form (M10 form) and send it to the registrar in the area you’ll be married. This should be no earlier than 3 months prior to your wedding date, and no later than 29 days before.
In the 7 days prior to your ceremony, you will need to collect your Marriage Schedule, this is the legal document you both sign, along with your witnesses & celebrant, during your ceremony. This must be returned to the local registrar after your wedding within 3 days of your ceremony and can be done by post.
You can find out more information regarding forms & fees here.
If you are eloping in Scotland from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) you will need a Marriage Visitor Visa, which you can apply for no earlier than 3 months before you travel and allows you to stay in Scotland for up to 6 months.
You can find out more information and check visa eligibility here.
What to Wear to Elope in Scotland
If you choose to elope in Scotland, it’s important to be prepared for all weather and the highland terrain. I advise wearing comfy, waterproof walking boots or shoes, a shawl or blanket to keep warm and a waterproof jacket that you can take on and off in between photos.
If you’re wearing a dress, expect it to get wet and muddy - a tulle or similar fabric dress looks AMAZING flowing in the wind! And, as someone who eloped in Scotland in the winter, I can tell you some thermal undergarments work a treat!
Create Your Scotland Elopement Timeline
Your elopement timeline can include as many, or as little, things as you’d like to fit into your day. You may want to include a mountain hike, or have your ceremony at sunrise, or visit different locations in an area and bring along an elopement picnic.
Typically, the photography aspect of your day begins with the morning preparations, this is such a special part of the day filled with anticipation and the quiet moments that lead up to the ceremony.
You might decide to get ready together, or keep some tradition and get ready separately, so you can have your first look before the ceremony. The ceremony itself can take place wherever you like - be it up a mountain, at a beach or in the woodlands. After the ceremony is a great time to explore the area and get some amazing couple portraits
There are a number of suppliers that can be involved in creating your dream elopement day, from florists to tour guides & private dining experiences, and I work with a range of different elopement suppliers in Scotland that I’m more than happy to recommend!
Chat With Your Scotland Elopement Photographer
If you’re planning to elope in Scotland but aren’t familiar with the area you’d like to elope, then chat with your Scotland elopement photographer, as we are here to help you as much as possible!
As a photographer I take pride in helping my eloping couples every step of the way and to give them the best guidance and advise on how to elope in Scotland.
I can assist you with not only taking all the images of your day, but I can suggest the best spots in your area, the best times of the day for certain shots (such as a dreamy sunset shot!) and I can help slot in certain photo opportunities into your elopement day timeline.
Having this communication with your Scotland elopement photographer, as well as with any other suppliers means you can really enjoy the day with what you’ve planned, knowing everything will go smoothly!
Start Planning Your Elopement in Scotland
Now you’re much more aware of how to elope in Scotland, it is time to start the real planning! Enjoy the process and remember that you’re creating a magical and unique day for you and your future husband or wife.
If you’re ready to book your Scotland elopement photographer, I would love to chat about your plans!
SCOTLAND ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY - ELOPE TO SCOTLAND 