THE ULTIMATE GUIDE to

ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENTS

Isle of Skye Elopement & Wedding Photographer and Filmmaker

What is an elopement?

The dictionary definition of elopement is; to run away with somebody in order to marry them secretly. But times have changed and elopements have evolved and more and more couples are choosing to elope. So what is eloping in today's world? Eloping is all about you and your partner prioritising the two of you, your love and an intentional experience to create TIMELESS MEMORIES - because at the end of the day, it’s about YOU TWO!

Why should we elope?

Eloping takes away a lot of the wedding planning pressure and cost that usually comes with having a big wedding such as planning a guest-list, catering for everyone, suppliers, accommodation, budgets, favours and more. Bigger weddings definitely come with quite a lot of planning, preparation and cost and for some it can be really stressful. There might be other reasons you don’t want a big wedding, you might not want to be the centre of attention. If a spontaneous adventure to a beautiful remote place in the Isle of Skye, a magical setting with you and your partner and some heartfelt vows sounds more up your street, then eloping is definitely for you. Eloping in Scotland gives the freedom to get married anywhere you want as long as you have a registered celebrant!

Why is the Isle of Skye the best place for elopements and micro-weddings in Scotland?

To this date, Isle of Skye remains one of the most popular locations in the UK for elopements, and that’s for a number of reasons. Isle of Skye is dramatic, romantic and adventurous. It is known for its rugged mountains, medieval castles, history and a breathtaking scenery. It’s one of those places that you would want to stop your car for a picture every 2 minutes. This beautiful Scottish island will give you an experience like no other. Expect immense waterfalls, moody landscapes, dramatic mountains and so so so much more! The greatest thing about getting married in Scotland is that you can get married pretty much anywhere you want, provided that you have a registered celebrant to register your marriage. And when we say anywhere, we mean literally ANYWHERE - think on a boat in the middle of a Scottish loch, on top of a mountain, in the middle of a forest or on a beach.

AN ALL INCLUSIVE PHOTO+VIDEO PACKAGE TO DOCUMENT IT ALL

We are one of the few photographers in the UK that offers an all inclusive photo and video package to save you from the hassle of having to go through two different suppliers, contracts and invoices. Our approach to photography and filmmaking is the same. We use a combination of documentary, fine art and editorial styles to craft our art and always go the extra mile to make your photos and film unique and personal to you.

THE LEGALITIES OF GETTING MARRIED ON THE ISLE OF SKYE

To make your wedding ceremony legal, you have three options: humanist, religious, or registrar. Humanist Society Scotland has a comprehensive database of the humanists that you can look into.

You can get married anywhere you want, be it in a boat, in the forest or on top of a mountain! To make your ceremony legal, you will both need to complete a Marriage Notice Form which costs £70. If you’re from a non-European country, you may also have to apply for a marriage visa. To find out if you need a visa, please click here.

ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT SEASONS

Summer in Skye: Summer is a beautiful season for an elopement on the Isle of Skye with the longest daylight hours making for light evenings and gorgeous sunsets. The temperature is most likely going to be warmer however you’ll need to be prepared for areas being populated with tourists.
Autumn in Skye: This is potentially one of the best times of year on the Isle. An already beautiful season is enriched here, with beautiful dusky evenings and autumnal colours coming to the forefront. If you love the deep orange, red and brown autumn leaves and that festive feeling starting to creep in this would be a perfect season for an elopement.
Winter in Skye: A season for the brave, whilst you might be lucky with fluffy white snow sprinkled everywhere there is a high chance of heavy rain and blustery winds. If you don’t mind bracing the elements, an elopement in winter could make for a beautifully dramatic and intense photoshoot. The upside, no tourists mean you basically have the place to yourselves.
Spring in Skye: After the various conditions of winter, Spring brings with it warmer days, a light airy feel and beautiful blooming landscape.

HOW TO ELOPE ON THE ISLE OF SKYE?

Decide to have an Isle of Skye Elopement
Select a date
Decide on the activities you want to enjoy on your elopement day
Select your vendors
Secure your accommodation
Sort your legal paperwork
Choose your witnesses
Finalise a timeline with your photographer
Travel to the Isle of Skye
Collect your marriage schedule
Write your personal vows
Elope on the Isle of Skye and create TIMELESS MEMORIES!

ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS

OUTDOOR ELOPEMENT SPOTS

THE OLD MAN OF STORR

The place of myth and legend, the majestic rocks aka ‘The Storr’ - derived from the Norse “Great Man” - feels magical. The jutting rocks overlook the beautiful waters and make for a picturesque spot. Legend has it that The Old Man of Storr was an old giant who once lived at Trotternish bridge and when he passed and laid to rest, his thumb (the Old Man) remained above ground! Scientific explanations differ and believe a landslide resulted in the vistas. It’s super easy to get to with it being a 15 minute drive from Portree.

FAIRY POOLS

If you can catch the fairy pools early in the morning, it’s like visiting a scene from a magical movie and you’ll have it all to yourself. The emerald pools and multiple rushing waterfalls are surrounded by hills and if the adventurous spirit prevails, you can try your hand at jumping into it’s icy cold waters. It’s a famous spot for wild swimming.

FAIRY GLEN

If you want enchanting, head to Fairy Glen. The green grassy hills wind beautifully and the area is home to Castle Ewan and many sheep who choose to graze here. Behind castle Ewan is a small cave where we’re told that pressing coins into cracks will bring good luck. A must do for any eloping couples.

QUIRAING

If you love dramatic cliffs and craggy mountains towering far and wide, Quiraing is perfect for you. Winding trails attract walkers in search of incredible views. Quiraing Mountain Pass is a famous observation point and when the weather is clear and bright you can see all the way to the seashore. If eloping, be sure to wear comfortable clothing to get you to the top. And pack plenty of snacks!

ISLE OF SKYE CASTLE ELOPEMENT SPOTS

Let’s now go through some of the best castle elopement spots available near the Isle of Skye.

EILEAN DONAN CASTLE

Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland’s most iconic castles, located at the meeting point of three sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland. Situated on its own island surrounded by calm nature and rolling landscape of the Isle of Skye, this castle is one of the best backdrops you can select for your Scotland elopement.

DUNVEGAN CASTLE

Scotland is famous for its castles and Dunvegan is a prime example why. The castle is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland and has been home to Clan Macleods chiefs for over 800 years. It’s steeped in history but has undergone a revamp in the 19th century. Could you ask for a more beautiful castle surrounded by a loch, greenery, woodlands and mountains! It’s the perfect place for a fairytale elopement.

DUNTULM CASTLE

Located on the far north of the Isle of Skye on the Trotternish peninsula, this castle ruin stands on a dramatic cliff overlooking the ocean with wonderful views of the Outer Hebrides on a clear day. Whilst there is not much of the castle left itself, on a clear day, you can get beautiful sunsets and sunrises, along with peace and tranquility for your intimate elopement.

DUNSCAITH CASTLE

Another wonderful ruined castle! Dunscaith castle offers intimacy for those looking for somewhere unique rather than the standard tourist hotspots. From this location, you can see Cuillin mountains in the backdrop which looks absolutely breathtaking at sunset, on a relatively clear day.

BEST ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT ACCOMMODATIONS

WHERE TO STAY FOR YOUR ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT?

When it comes to accommodation, Isle of Skye offers plenty of choices of places to stay at, from intimate cabins to luxury country hotels. Here are some of our favourite accommodations on the Isle of Skye:

HARLOSH BLACK H

Black H is an architectural hideaway with a soft minimalistic look. This is where you blend the rugged, wild Isle of Skye with intimacy, contemporary and luxury!

KINLOCH LODGE

Kinloch lodge is a historic destination hotel located on the south east region of the Isle of Skye on The Sleat Peninsula. This luxury hotel offers an excellent service with a breathtaking view of Loch Na Dal.

CUILLIN HILLS HOTEL

Located in the heart of the Isle of Skye (in Portree), Cuillin Hills Hotel boasts breathtaking views over Portree Bay to the Cuillin Mountain Range.

HOW DO TO DECIDE ON AN ELOPEMENT DRESS?

Shopping for your elopement dress is so exciting because, just like your elopement, you have so much to choose from depending on the type of elopement you’re having. Your dress (or jumpsuit or separates for that matter) can be as simple or as extravagant as you like and there are so many different styles - classic, bohemian, flowing princess styles, chic - the options are endless! But first there are some things to consider:

Make sure the size and fit are perfect: The whole point of an elopement is to have a stress free, enjoyable wedding where it’s all about you and your partner. You want to feel amazing on the day and your dress is a huge part of that. So be sure to try on dresses ahead of time so you can make any alterations if needed and you know you’ve secured the perfect dress in time.

Pick a suitable dress for the type of elopement you’re having: If you’re the adventurous type and having an elopement that involves hiking and moving around alot you want a dress that you can move properly in. You’ll want something lightweight and materials that flow well.

You’ll also want to prepare for the weather, especially in Scotland! If you think you might get cold why not pack a shawl or something cute to keep you cozy. If you are hiking, be sure to wear some comfortable hiking boots and pack your heels ready for the photos!

If you’re having a summery beach elopement, opt for a light dress that flows well with the ocean winds and waves. It will look stunning in photos.

Think carefully about what conditions you might encounter and how comfortable you want to be and let that inform your decision.

Choose your colour and style that reflects you and your partner: Do you want something classic and timeless? Maybe something a little bit more out there? Many people who elope also opt for more colourful dresses now, who says you need to follow any of the traditions?!

UNIQUE ELOPEMENT IDEAS

As elopement photographers and filmmakers, we do more than just documenting. Each year, we help so many couples elope and whilst every couple is different, there are quite a few similarities in elopements. One of the questions that we often get is “how can we make our elopement different?”.

To answer this question, we have put together a guide where we go through some ideas that we think can make your elopement different and unique.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

There are three options for a legal ceremony in Scotland. These include humanist, religious or registrar ceremonies. You can use the database of the Human Society Scotland to look for local celebrants. We have also worked with so many wonderful celebrants in the past and would be more than happy to send you recommendations.
If you’re planning to have a registrar, you will need to contact the local registration office. All the registration office contact details can be found here.
Finally, if you’re planning to have a religious ceremony, you will have to have an authorised religious celebrant. For further guidance on religious ceremonies, please contact your local place of worship.
For a legal ceremony in Scotland, you will require 2 witnesses who would need to be over the age of 16. This could be one of your attending guests or alternatively, if it’s just the two of you travelling, we would be more than happy to be witnesses (It’s always an honour to do this for our couples).
A great question! We’d recommend waterproof jackets, multiple layers and hiking boots. For brides, when selecting your bridal gown, we’d recommend choosing a dress that is comfortable and allows movement. It’s also worth bringing a cosy outdoors blanket to wrap up and keep warm, especially if you’re eloping in the colder months.
By choosing to elope, you’re not only saving money but you’ll also be able to have an intentional experience for you two as a couple. We have an extensive budget breakdown here
Yes absolutely! There is no rule to say you can’t invite guests along for your elopement day. In fact, it is becoming more and more popular for couples to opt in for an intimate wedding, hike up to somewhere epic and exchange vows in front of friends and family.
We always recommend booking your suppliers as soon as the date is confirmed. The best suppliers are taken 1-2 years in advance, therefore it is best to get in touch with your dream suppliers as early as possible, put a deposit down and secure them for your big day.