GLENCOE ELOPEMENT PLANNING GUIDE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Embark on a timeless journey of love amidst the majestic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, where every moment is adorned with the splendor of nature and the whisper of ancient romance.

Glencoe, hailed as the quintessential gateway to the Highlands, offers an enchanting setting for intimate weddings and adventurous elopements. Just a scenic 2.5-hour drive from Edinburgh and a mere 2 hours from Glasgow, its accessibility within the majestic Scottish Highlands is remarkable.

THE LOCATION.

The beauty of an Scottish elopement is that you can get married anywhere, be it on a loch side or top of a mountain, as long as you have a celebrant to register your marriage!

GLENCOE ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS

GLEN ETIVE

You might recognise this beautiful spot… it's an epic backdrop for James Bond Skyfall. So if you’re all about action and adventure then this is the spot for you and your partner. With a single road track following the river it’s a beautiful spot right in the heart of the valley that will make for some incredibly dramatic elopement photography. You might even be lucky enough to spot herds of deer that tend to roam around the glen.

THE STUDY

If you want some of the best views overlooking Glencoe and The Three Sisters then this spot is perfect, especially for elopements, as it has a range of flat rock standing areas. Fear not! You don’t have to be an avid hiker to reach this point, the walk isn’t that challenging so you can wear that incredible dress you’ve always dreamed of and capture some stunning photographs the moment you and your partner say “I do”.

GLENCOE LOCHAN

Perfectly picturesque, this is home to arguably some of the most beautiful spots in Glencoe. There is a perfect combination of calm blue waters, trees lining the banks, mountains towering behind in the distance which you can see reflected in the waters. The array of trees around the Lochan mean that there are many spots to elope but if you do want to elope by the waters edge there might be many passers by.

THREE SISTERS VIEWPOINT

Fancy yourselves as avid hikers? This short but steep ascent has amazing views of Glencoe surrounded by the entire Three Sisters range aka Bidean Nam Bian. Aonach Dubh, Beinn Fhada and Gearr Aonach are the mountains that make up this scene. So after you’ve said “I do” why not take that first step into married life and turn it into a hiking adventure?!

Loch ETIVE

Always dreamed of a beach wedding but still want that slice of the Scottish highlands? Loch Etive is a sea loch with a small beach where you can have your elopement ceremony, overlooking the mountains and waters. It’s also surrounded by wild countryside making it the best spot for exploring. Did you know that this is the spot where Harry Ron & Hermione jump into in the Deathly Hallows Part 2 after escaping Gringotts Bank! So if you’re a harry potter lover then why not elope here.

THE SEASONS.

Spring

Spring (March to May) can be quite unpredictable with chances of snow right through to April. The orange and brown tones of Glencoe slowly begins turning green. The days can be either sunny or moody with clouds and fog. 

Summer

June-Aug can certainly the busiest season with extended daylight hours (4:30am–10:00pm) which can present a challenge to shoot during golden hours of sunlight or sunset. Additionally, expect a lot of tourists and midges (tiny biting insects) around.

Autumn

Autumn is from Sep-Nov, which brings rich deep colours. Days start becoming shorter with a better chance of catching the golden hour for some stunning photographs.

Winter

Dec-Feb can be the most quiet season with the days being short, though you can explore the nature during the day and enjoy a cosy fireplace as it gets dark.

THE PLANNING.

  1. Select a date.

  2. Decide on the activities you want to enjoy on your elopement day.

  3. Select your vendors.

  4. Secure your accommodation.

  5. Sort your legal paperwork.

  6. Choose your witnesses.

  7. Finalise a timeline with your photographer.

  8. Travel to Glencoe.

  9. Collect your marriage schedule.

  10. Write your personal vows.

  11. Elope to Glencoe and create TIMELESS MEMORIES!

THe Accommodation.

From intimate and cosy wooden cabins to 5-star luxury, there are plenty of options in and around Glencoe.

Glencoe Holidays

Glencoe Holidays have a choice of up to 14 self catering holiday cottages near Glencoe. There are a range of stunning lodges, with incredible views of the surrounding lochs. The Beach House has been designed by an architect and has a stunning view of the beach with it’s own private terrace and private hot tub. There are a range of other cottages all with luxury amenities that you can browse.

Burn Beag Holiday Cottage

Situated in the heart of Glencoe Village, Burn Beag is a beautiful but quaint cottage that makes the perfect base for exploring the beautiful scenery and nature of Glencoe. The cottage has its own wood burning stove, a beautiful dining area with french windows that open out onto a quaint garden and a bedroom with a super king size bed perfect for getting a good night's sleep ready for more exploring!

Bluebell Luxury Cottage Glencoe

Nestled in the middle of beautiful woodlands, this luxury cottage with a hot tub makes for the perfect escape to elope and explore for just you and your partner and is incredibly indulgent. It boasts luxurious Oak Beds, Egyptian Cotton bedding, fluffy towels, underfloor heating and best of all you can pop some prosecco or champagne and sip the night away in the Hot Tub as newlyweds.

Glencoe House

A magnificent mansion home with 10 acres of private gardens in the heart of the highlands, this place is perfect for a blend of those seeking tranquillity but also adventure. The 5 star accommodation is perfect for those looking for a home away from home and the suites are perfect for couples eloping or getting married. It’s also the perfect place for a wedding, should you be after this or looking for a place to have a reception with family and friends.

Isles of Glencoe

At the foot of Glencoe, right on the shores of the loch stands this beautiful hotel. It’s the perfect base for a highland adventure or retreat away from the world. The choice is yours! There’s so much to do from canoeing to hiking, ice climbing and biking so you’re after a bit of adventure and then looking for somewhere to plonk down and unwind, this is the perfect place.

THE OUTFITS.

For Her: The options are endless - short cocktail dresses, whimsical flowing wedding dresses, jumpsuits, or just your favourite dress?! Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Think about the season, the weather and if you’re doing an activity and also if you want your outfits to look a specific way in your elopement photos. Want some inspiration? We have a guide right here.

For Him: Suits, a shirt and trousers, or your favourite pieces are all options. Decide together whether you want to look a certain way for your elopement photos - it’s up to you two and your personal vision and what you feel most comfortable in and what reflects you both as a couple!

RECENT ELOPEMENTS

GLAD YOU ARE HERE

Hey, I’m Aryan - a Scotland wedding photographer and filmmaker. Nothing excites me more than documenting timeless photos of couples in picturesque locations!

I’m easy going and always up for a good laugh. I’m never stuck in a “comfort zone” with my work and always strive to go above and beyond to create magic for my couples. Being able to provide an all inclusive photo and film package means I can save you time and hassle of having to go through two different suppliers, contracts, invoices, etc. You’ll have consistency of colours and edit through your photos and film, and can remain assured that your photos and film will be one of a kind