If you know me, you know Scotland is pretty near and dear to my heart. My husband was born and raised in the Highlands and still has family in the Inverness area, so I go back there once a year. I first traveled to the UK in 2018 and I’ve loved every trip there since. Scotland has, in my opinion, an inherently romantic vibe, which gives it a lot of great spots to say your vows.
I’m partial to the Highlands for elopements—especially Glencoe, which connects Loch Leven to the huge green valley that the town is named after and packs a ton of fairytale charm. Picture walking through the misty glen and visiting castles during your wedding day! The energy here is full of a certain magic.
But I have lots of other favorite elopement locations in the country, both in the Highlands and beyond. See my list below for more (Scot approved!) places that I would recommend for your wedding day!
(You don’t have to know a local for great research! I made you a searchable location database stocked with nearly 600 locations. Click here to access it so that you can filter by only what you need!)
Scottish Highlands, Scotland
North of Scotland’s major cities lies the Highlands, a region known for its incredible beauty that has drawn the attention of filming crews, travelers, and legend for so long. Whether you’re looking for a castle backdrop, a loch to get out on, or islands to explore, the Highlands will have it in spades. Stop by a spot like Glen Etive for mountain peak views, waterfalls, and some serious white water rapids for rafting enthusiasts. Multiple national parks, famous areas like Loch Ness, and activities like gorge walking give you nearly endless options for how to fill your elopement with adventure. If you’d rather relax and soak in the local beauty, you’ll find plenty of five-star accommodations to choose from as well, letting you truly pick your own style and speed. Inverness will give you a balance of the two and is a great hub to operate from in the Highlands!
Best for: Mountains, Lakes, Coast, Forest, and Castles.
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Rock Climbing, Kayaking, Boating
Isle of Skye, Scotland
On the edge of the inner Hebrides sits the Isle of Skye along Scotland’s northern coast. If you’re hoping for the beauty of the coastal Highlands with a lot of wildlife, this may be your spot! Come here for dolphins, otters, puffins, Highland Cows, seals, and more. On land, you can find craggy peaks and green valleys as well as natural features like the Fairy Pools—a series of smaller waterfalls cascading into each other, framed perfectly by natural rock and emptying out into a perfectly clear pond. Or head out to the Neist Point Lighthouse for dramatic rocky cliffs and uninterrupted views of the sea. You can stay in Portree, a fishing village known for its brightly colored buildings, lodging options, and resources for visitors. Then head out onto the water, either by kayaking yourself or by hopping on a guided tour. Walking the Cuillin ranges, cliff jumping, or exploring the oldest continuously inhabited castle in the country…there’s no bad options for ways to make your elopement here special.
Best for: Mountains and Coast
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Rock Climbing
Edinburgh, Scotland
As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has no shortage of history, beauty, and activity. Take in museums like the National Museum of Scotland or the Scottish National Gallery, castles at the Palace of Holyroodhouse or Edinburgh Castle, or the Royal Mile that runs between them for shops and restaurants. The National Monument of Scotland with its Roman columns, Calton Hill’s overview of the city, and Scott Monument’s Victorian Gothic archways all also make excellent places to stop. Or head underground for a tour of the city’s tunnels for a bit of adventure. If you’re looking for a great blend of historic architecture and modern city amenities, this is a city you should look into.
Best for: City, Coast and Castle
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Loch Ness, Scotland
Loch Ness is the stuff of legends—literally. Even if you’ve never been, you’ve likely heard of Nessie, the mythical local cryptid who is said to inhabit the waters. While your elopement is unlikely to be interrupted by an appearance from a sea monster, a wedding here would undoubtedly make for a fun story anyway! Visit Falls of Foyers for a beautiful backdrop of cascading water with a pool at the bottom and a semi-circle of brown rock and trees. Or say your vows at the massive ruins of Urquhart Castle with a view of Loch Ness for a panoramic view you won’t forget. From speed boat cruises, to chartered tours, to paddling yourself around, there are so many ways to explore the waters of Loch Ness (bonus… who doesn’t want to say they swam with Nessie at their wedding?).
Best for: Lake, Mountains, Forest, Castles and the Loch Ness Monster
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Camping, Kayaking
Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
The Cairngorms National Park is a picturesque area of the Highlands and is larger than the country of Luxembourg, giving you plenty of room to explore and find spots for your elopement where you’ll feel alone with nature. There are remnants of the Caledonian Forest here, dating back to pre-human settlement times, giving certain parts of the forest something ancient and reverent for your day. There are also three rivers and dozens of small lakes if you prefer something by the water. Breweries, castles, hikes, and wildlife all abound here.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Castles and Lakes
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Camping, Kayaking
Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
If you weren’t aware that you could get bright teal waters in Scotland of all places, allow me to turn your attention to Luskentyre, where the white sands and vibrant colors of the sea will have you thinking you’re not in the Highlands anymore. The weather can be frequently cool and cloudy, which keeps this a much more temperate spot than other beaches that boast similar views. But it’s not without its sunny days, so you’ll still get to see the ocean really shine!
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: April to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Glencoe, Scotland
Glencoe has been the filming site for multiple major films, like James Bond, so you know you’re in for a setting fit for the silver screen. This landscape has been shaped by thousands of years of ancient natural disasters, giving it distinct, deep valleys cloaked in green with peaks and ridges rising up on all sides, including the iconic Three Sisters. This area borders Loch Leven, with lots of peninsulas, inns, and restaurants dotting the shoreline for incredible views. There’s tons of great hiking in this area, too!
Best for: Mountains, Waterfalls and Forest
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Stargazing
Aviemore, Scotland
Situated within Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, the town of Aviemore would be a great pick for your elopement if you’re looking for a location that retains all of it’s natural beauty while still being packed with things to do. From go-kart racing, to night ziplining, to mountain tubing, to hopping on a funicular railway for a quick ride or a steam railway for afternoon tea, there’s plenty of activities to fill your day with! Loch an Eilein is a beautiful lake with a castle ruin in the center from the 13th century. Visit here in the winter for skiing and snowboarding opportunities!
Best for: Mountains, Forest and Lakes
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping
Orkney Islands, Scotland
The Orkney Islands are incredible, full stop. With wide fields, sheer sandstone cliffs, and great views of the North Sea, this chain of over 70 islands is a great spot for an elopement where you want to be able to tune into nature and each other and block out the rest. This area is a balance between modern accommodations and neolithic artifacts, distilleries and museums with totally uninhabited islands. Visit in late spring or early fall to catch the islands with lower visitor numbers and less rain.
Best for: Coast, Beaches
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Boating, Stargazing
The Great Trossachs Forest, Scotland
This is part of a national park and is one of the largest nature preserves in the UK… and is somehow still just over a half hour outside of Glasgow! If you’re short on time or transportation, this is an excellent spot to get great natural surroundings in your elopement day while not needing to drive for hours. The variety of trees here means there’s a forest vibe for pretty much everyone, from green and mossy winding paths to tidy evergreen groupings.
Best for: Mountains, Forest and Lakes
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Just a 45 minute drive north from Glasgow, Loch Lomond is a scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. This area is located within Trossachs National Park, preserving the natural beauty of the Highlands. Getting out on the water is, of course, a huge draw here! Go by a boat you can paddle or hop on a speed boat (driven by you or chartered) for a different view. The Three Lochs Way is a famous hike in this area, linking Loch Lomond and others in one stunning trail. You may enjoy staying in Balmaha, with its inn, cafe, visitor center, and village shop for supplies. While you’re in the area, swing by the Ruins of Buchanan Castle!
Best for: Loch, Mountains, Forest
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Camping
Hebrides Islands, Scotland
The Hebrides Islands are composed of two distinct island groups—the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides—and boast over 100 islands in total of varying sizes. This area has massive amounts to explore! The Outer Hebrides are known for their preserved natural landscapes and strong Celtic heritage. The main town in this section, Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, is a great hub for exploring all the outer islands have to offer, like horseback riding, teal waters on pristine beaches, scenic spas, and artisans practicing local trades like tweed weaving. For the inner islands, you can start at Portree on the famed Isle of Skye, a candy colored fishing village with plenty of amenities and local flavor. From there, you’re free to venture into the valleys, seaside cliffs, castles, wildlife, and calm waters the inner islands supply.
Best for: Beaches, Coast, Lake, Forest and Castles
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Camping, Stargazing
Eilean Donan, Scotland
Eilean Donan is a castle from the 13th century that is no stranger to weddings, events, and cinema. The castle rises up out of an island connected to the mainland by a stone bridge, which gives you 360 views of the landscape. You can even stay here in a cottage or apartment, so you can stay in that fairytale vibe for your entire elopement. And with an incredibly scenic location in the Highlands, there’s plenty of beauty in the area for additional exploring, like the Isle of Skye.
Best for: Castles, Coast, Mountains and Forest
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking
Uig Beach, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
If your favorite thing to do near the ocean is hop onto sandbar islands at low tide, then you’ll love eloping here. Uig is famous for its wide stretches of sand and shallow waters, which give you so much room to explore on your wedding day. Think mini dunes, tidepools, sandbars you can walk across, and views that stretch on forever. Pedestrian bridges and ancient rocks also provide interesting features for your photos!
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: April to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Ben Nevis, Scotland
As the highest mountain not only in the UK but in all of the British Isles, Ben Nevis is a spot that almost needs no introduction. Gaelic legend says that this mountain is the home of Cailleach, a divine figure said to be the Queen of Winter. This is a mountain that you can easily get to the top of, with trails to the summit being suitable for beginners. Which means you can get those incredible 360 views of the Scottish Highlands without spending a day’s worth of effort getting there. With such a rich history, a ceremony here would feel steeped in tradition.
Best for: Mountains, Coast
Best months to get married here: May to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Worried about finding a location in Scotland that works for a certain activity or season that you have in mind? I have a map for you! This interactive database lets you filter by tags so that you can get location lists customized to your interests with everything you need to know. There are nearly 600 locations here not only from around the country, but also from across the globe.
You can let my expertise be your expertise! Between my experience with Scotland and the 300+ elopements I’ve photographed over the past ten years, you can count on me to point you in the right direction for locations you’ll really love. I craft timelines, give pro travel advice, tackle permits, and act as your on-call consultant during your planning process. Having your dream elopement can be easy.
I want to make your elopement feel like the best day of your honeymoon. Click here to be taken to my contact form and let’s chat!
