Best Places to Elope in Scotland
Where to Elope, Places to Stay, and Hidden Gems in Popular Elopement Locations
Elopement Planning Resources by Scotland Elopement Co
There are endless places around Scotland for eloping! Not only is the scenery beautiful, but it is one of the only countries in the world where you can get married in the great outdoors - up a mountain, by a river, in a forest - you name it!
At Scotland Elopement Co, we offer All-Inclusive Elopement Experiences to help couples create a stress free, adventurous elopement here in Scotland. Part of our planning approach includes an entire phase dedicated to picking your location and where to stay. We’ll share our extensive list of over 50 spots around the country, plus bespoke recommendations personalized to your unique preferences.
In this blog post, we’re going to go over the main aspects of choosing your elopement location, list the best elopement locations in Scotland, and share some of our favorite ceremony spots and accommodation options for each. There are so many more amazing specific spots we’ll share with you during the planning process, but if you want a quick introduction…
Best Places to Elope in Scotland
Elopement Location Tips
First, we’re going to go over a few important aspects to researching and planning your elopement location. Our planning process always begins with a questionnaire for you to share your vision with us, and let us know what kind of location would give you the best experience.
Elopement Seclusion, Transportation, and Accessibility
When choosing an elopement location, you should think about getting to the actual spot. Most locations require some driving to get to, and possibly even hiking too. Some of our locations are based around Scotland’s most incredible accommodation options, where you can plan a romantic escape for a few days. Here are some questions we suggest thinking about before deciding on your top choices:
How long are you willing to spend just getting to your ceremony spot?
Do you want to make that process part of the fun (i.e. hiking, boating, Land Rover drive, etc.)?
Do you need to be able to walk or drive to it?
Do you mind if there are folks passing by while you say your vows?
Or would you prefer to be completely alone?
Is there anyone in your party with specific accessibility requirements?
Iconic spots can be busy with other visitors during peak times, so if you’d prefer to be alone, we suggest choosing a lesser known spot. Alternatively, if you’d really like to visit those iconic spots, you can opt for an early morning ceremony outside of peak visitor times - or go to that spot for photos after having an intimate ceremony at a more secluded spot.
Along with the iconic suggestions, we can also suggest more luxurious accommodation options across the Northern Highlands, Cairngorms, and the Isles. We find these options to be better suited for folks who want to have a completely unique, secluded elopement in the great outdoors of Scotland.
Elopement Itinerary, Accommodation, Restaurants, and Activities
Your elopement is more than just your ceremony! We love building couples a whole day of beautiful moments, so we take everything into consideration when helping you decide where to elope.
Where do you want to stay?
Where do you want to have your evening meal?
Are there other things you want to do while you’re there?
During our elopement planning process, we send you an extensive travel guide featuring some amazing activities, food and drink, and accommodation options in your elopement location.
Top 7 Places to Elope in Scotland
We’re going to clue you into the 7 areas of Scotland where we find the most beautiful elopement locations - plus some iconic spots, hidden gems, and a few cool places to stay for each. There are so many places we could feature here - but this is just the tip of the iceberg! Send us an email if you have any questions, or would like some recommendations for where to stay, what to eat, and fun things to do!
01. Isle of Skye Elopement Locations
The Isle of Skye is one of the more remote, rewarding locations to visit in Scotland. This Inner Hebridean Island is known for iconic scenery and landscapes, regular wildlife sightings, some of the best trails in the UK, world-class seafood, and slow island living. An unplugged trip to Skye will leave you feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to say goodbye to civilization for good.
The Isle of Skye is consistently picked amongst elopers for its wild landscapes, variety of ceremony spots, and far flung location. It can get quite busy during peak tourist season, but catching sunrise is always a great way to avoid crowds here. The north half of the island is home to some iconic spots like the Quiraing or the Old Man of Storr, while the south part has the epic backdrop of the Cuillin Mountains, and some other lesser known spots too. There is so much to see, and it can take between 1-2 hours to cross the entire island, so it's worth spending a few days if you're coming all the way out here.
The nearest train station is Kyle of Lochalsh, and the island isn’t exceptionally accessible via public transport. We definitely recommend hiring a car if you want to elope on the Isle of Skye.
Popular elopement locations on the Isle of Skye:
Off the beaten path elopement locations on the Isle of Skye:
Places to stay on Isle of Skye:
Monkstadt 1754 (Luxury Lodge or Cottages)
The Crofter’s House
02. Glencoe Elopement Locations
The Glencoe National Nature Reserve is one of the most recognisable places in Scotland - and if you've ever wanted to visit the Highlands, this is the place to come. The iconic lochs and glens have been used as filming locations for Harry Potter, Outlaw King, Braveheart, James Bond's Skyfall, and so much more. With mountains everywhere you look, and tons of trails to explore, it's genuinely impossible to be bored. Once you're here, you'll know why they call it the "Heart of the Highlands."
Glencoe is a great place to go if you want to hit multiple shooting locations without driving too far. There are a lot of iconic spots close together - like the white cottage, or the Three Sisters. And Glen Etive provides a more secluded area if you'd like to avoid people. There are plenty of walks and hikes in the area, and lovely places to stay too. Plus, it's less than 3 hours driving from Edinburgh or Glasgow. You can also take the train or bus to Fort William, and hire a taxi for the day to get to Glencoe if you’d prefer not to drive, but still want to elope in the highlands.
Popular elopement locations in Glencoe:
Off the beaten path elopement locations in Glencoe:
Places to stay in Glencoe:
03. Edinburgh Elopement Locations
The ancient roads of this city are begging to be explored, iconic sites everywhere you look, and hidden gems down every alleyway. We even have a specially curated package for elopements based in the magical city of Edinburgh. Check it out here! Wander the whimsical closes of the Old Town, say your vows on the ancient sites of Calton Hill, or pick from this city's endless list of fine dining and top-rated hospitality to celebrate your love.
Elopements in Edinburgh are especially great if you don’t want to rent a car, or don’t have a lot of time in Scotland. It’s also a great place to go if you want to have some guests, but don’t want to worry about catering to everyone. Even if you want an outdoorsy elopement, there are great spots around Holyrood Park to go. Plus, lots of incredible places to adventure in town afterwards! I always tell people, if you can only go to one place in Scotland, go to Edinburgh.
Popular elopement locations in Edinburgh:
Off the beaten path elopement locations in Edinburgh:
Places to stay in Edinburgh:
04. Torridon & North Coast Elopement Locations
Home to Scotland’s wildest landscapes, and the largest intact habitat for wildlife. There are no words that can describe how breathtaking this part of the country is - from the rugged mountains to sandy white beaches to castle ruins and lochs - the sheer wild beauty here is not to be missed. It is also one of the best places to stargaze, with some of the darkest skies in Europe. The Northern Highlands are like nowhere else on earth.
Much of the Northern Highlands are connected by the North Coast 500. "Bringing together a route of just over 500 miles (516 to be exact…) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages, hidden gems, and a wealth of unforgettable experiences; the North Coast 500 is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips."
If you’re looking for a truly remote, unique elopement in Scotland, then the Northern Highlands is the place to go.
Popular elopement locations in Torridon and the Northern Coast:
Off the beaten path elopement locations in Torridon and the Northern Coast:
Places to stay in Torridon and the Northern Highlands:
Eagle’s Crag in Alladale Wilderness
05. The Cairngorms Elopement Locations
The UK’s largest National Park, and it has everything you could need: lochs, forests, mountains and amazing sweeping landscapes. The Cairngorms is an incredibly special place, with lots of great activities to do, and full of natural history. A truly magical experience will be had here.
This is the perfect place if you're looking for a more secluded, quiet adventure focused on quality time and relaxing. The Cairngorms are less than 3 hours from Edinburgh or Glasgow, making it a great option if you're not planning to stay long. You can also take the train or bus to Aviemore, and hire a taxi for the day to get to nearby spots if you’d prefer not to drive, but still want to elope in the highlands.
Popular elopement locations in the Cairngorms:
Off the beaten path elopement locations in the Cairngorms:
An Lochan Uaine (the Green Loch)
Places to stay in the Cairngorms:
06. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Elopement Locations
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is a huge national park located just north of Glasgow on the west coast. There are endless trails, hills, lochs, and even tall mountains for the adventurous. It is one of the most loved areas of Scotland, with so many gorgeous viewpoints to visit. It’s a very accessible place, with so much to offer. There are lots of wee hotels and self-catering accommdations, which are perfect for intimate elopements and micro wedding venues.
Popular elopement locations in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs:
Loch Lomond (anywhere along the bonnie banks!),
Off the beaten path elopement locations in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs:
Anywhere along the Three Lochs Forest Drive (Lochan Reòidhte, Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray),
Finnich Glen (not technically in the Trossachs)...
Places to stay in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs:
07. East Coast Scotland Elopement Locations
The East Coast is often overlooked, but there are some really incredible places to visit in this part of the country! Even though they tend to be less common, they still grant you fantastic elopement experiences - each and every one of these places offers something magical. From the whimsical East Neuk Coast, the iconic streets of St Andrews, or even the lesser known beaches in Angus and Aberdeenshire - there are loads of hidden gems here for magical elopements.
Popular elopement locations on the East Coast Scotland:
Off the beaten path elopement locations on the East Coast Scotland:
Places to stay on the East Coast Scotland:
Still not sure where you want to elope?
Schedule your free call with us and we’ll help you figure it out!
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