Scotland is known for its gorgeous isles, rich traditions, and thousands of beautiful lakes to explore - making it the ultimate adventure elopement destination! For any couple who wants to tie the knot abroad, there are countless incredible places to elope in Scotland, and plenty of adventures waiting across the pond.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan a Scotland elopement, and to start your next adventure!
Set a Date for Your Scotland Elopement
One of the first things you'll do when planning your Scotland elopement is set a date! Consider what you want your day to look like when it comes to seasons, weather, and privacy.
Weather in Scotland
The weather in Scotland changes a ton - throughout the year and across the country. A short drive can take you to a completely different climate and because the weather is unpredictable, they say you can experience all 4 seasons in one day! So, regardless of the season you choose, it’s best to be prepared for a little bit of everything - lots of layers and a good waterproof jacket are a must.
Summer in Scotland is the warmest time to go. Along with the ideal weather, Scotland experiences “The Summer Dim” from early May to early August, meaning that the sun sets just below the horizon and the sky never gets fully dark, giving you a ton of extra daylight time to explore the beautiful nature that Scotland has to offer. This is the most popular time of year to go, so there will probably be a lot of crowds.
Winter in Scotland can be sort of dark and gloomy due to short days, along with the rain and snow. Some mountain roads will be closed this time of year due to snow, and a lot of rural areas shut down tourism for the season so you won't be able to explore some of the more remote areas of Scotland. This time of year is great to go to if you want to explore the city, since they have tons of events going on. And if you're a snowbird, you can enjoy spending time in the mountains hitting the slopes or taking a winter hike!
Spring and fall are the shoulder seasons, where the weather is dry and you'll find fewer crowds. In the spring, you'll find lots of wildlife and beautiful wildflowers in the countryside. The fall brings its own beautiful landscapes of browns and golds. Hiking or cycling in both seasons is a pleasure!
Avoiding Crowds When You Elope in Scotland
When you’re saying your vows, you probably don't want a bunch of strangers hanging! Luckily, I have a few tips on avoiding the crowds.
Like I said, if you go to Scotland during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall), you'll find that fewer people are around. But, you'll still get nice weather and gorgeous backdrops!
Another thing I like to suggest if couples want to avoid crowds for their elopement is to do a sunrise ceremony! You typically won't get as many people early in the morning, plus saying your vows as the sun comes up behind you is an incredibly cool experience.
The last tip I have for avoiding crowds is to plan your ceremony for a weekday! While people are busy going to work and school during the week, you likely won't see as many people out and about so you'll have a better time finding a spot with nobody around.
The Best Places to Elope in Scotland
Scotland is full of beautiful places to elope. It’s definitely hard to narrow it down, but here are a few of my favorites!
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is an island that’s 50 miles long, with no more than 5 miles between the ocean on either side. The dramatic coastline surrounding the island makes this one of the most iconic spots in the country, and one of the best places to elope in Scotland! It has gorgeous medieval castles, rugged landscapes, and quaint fishing towns, and you can elope at the Fairy Pools, Old Man of Storr, or even the Harry Potter Bridge!
Glencoe
If you're looking for a quaint Scottish town that's close to nature and easily accessible, eloping in Glencoe might be for you. Not far from the town center, you can find babbling brooks, small lakes, and even wild deer! Glencoe is one of the best places to elope in Scotland in the spring, because the wildflower fields bloom, covering the countryside with pops of color. A few beautiful places to get married in Glencoe are Glencoe Lochan, Glen Etive, or Signal Rock.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
For couples who want views of serene lakes and mountains for miles, without going too far from the city, look no further than Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park! You can hike up to the summit of Ben A'an, stand on the shores of Loch Lomond, or explore the small island of Inchcailloch.
How to Get Legally Married During Your Scotland Elopement
Typically when getting married abroad, it's easier to do your paperwork at home because international marriage laws can be a bit confusing!
If you decide to legally tie the knot when you elope in Scotland, here’s what you need. Plan to do these things in advance in case you come across any legal hiccups with your paperwork.
apply for a UK marriage visitor visa - £95
register your marriage with the Scottish registrar - £70
find a celebrant to officiate your wedding - £450
1. Get a Marriage Visa
You can apply for your UK marriage visitor visa online up to 3 months in advance and it can take about 3 weeks for a decision about your application to come back after you've submitted it. You'll only need to have a valid passport to apply for your visa, but having some proof of intent to register your marriage in Scotland can help move your application along.
2. Register with the Scottish Registrar
You'll need two M10 forms which you can print off and send by mail to the registrar that's closest to your ceremony location. You can declare your marriage up to 3 months in advance, so submit it early because you'll need to register it at least 28 days before your ceremony! With your form, you'll need your birth certificate, passport, a recent utility bill to prove your residence, names of 2 witnesses over the age of 16, and the name of your celebrant. If you don't have all of these sorted out, you can still submit your M10 forms to get the process started - just make sure to send them in later, so they can approve your marriage as soon as possible!
Find a Celebrant in Scotland
Every marriage ceremony in Scotland requires a celebrant to officiate your wedding. There are two types of celebrants - humanist and independent (aka civil). For an elopement, you'll want to look for a humanist celebrant since they can go anywhere to marry you.
Once the registrar approves your marriage, you'll receive a marriage schedule that you'll need to pick up from the registrar's office during open hours in the week leading up to your wedding date. This is proof that you can legally get married and is the legal document to be signed (in black ink) by you, your celebrant, and witnesses that you'll return to the registry office within 3 days after your ceremony.
Things to Do When You Elope in Scotland
Scotland has tons of outdoor activities to choose from if you're looking for an adventure! From hiking or skiing in the Scottish highlands to exploring the lakes on a white water rafting tour, you'll find something exciting for you and your partner to do together.
Go Hiking
There are thousands of beautiful hikes in Scotland, so you'll have plenty of options. Whether you want to take a coastal walk along the white sands of Achmelvich beach or hike to the peak of Stac Pollaidh to find 360-degree views of the Northwest Highlands, there's a hike for everyone.
White Water Rafting
If you want to add a thrilling, adrenaline-filled experience to your trip, Scotland has some of the best rivers in Europe to go white water rafting! This 6-hour tour goes down the River Findhorn and even includes optional cliff jumping when you stop for lunch! If you're looking for something a little shorter, this 3- hour tour takes you down the River Tay, one of the most popular white water rafting rivers in Scotland.
Hit the Slopes
Ski season in Scotland generally lasts from December until April, but because the weather is super changeable, your best bet to make sure you get ample snow in the mountains is to go from January to April. Head up to Glencoe Mountain - Scotland's oldest ski resort with some spectacular mountain top views and it has runs for all skill levels. If you're more experienced, you might want to check out Nevis Range - Scotland's newest ski resort with the best backcountry skiing!
Scotland Elopement Packages
As an elopement photographer, I know how important this day is - you want a wedding that’s one of a kind, so my Scotland elopement packages are designed to help you plan every part of your day!
From location recommendations to creating a timeline, I'll be there every step of the way to help you have a stress-free day. If you're ready to elope in Scotland, contact me to book a free consultation call!
