10 best places in Scotland to elope

Why have an elopement in Scotland?

Scotland is a beautiful, raw nature scenery country. If you are adventurous, an outdoor couple, you have many options to choose between places in Scotland to elope. You can also elope in Scotland cheap and with style. There are wedding planners who offer Scotland elopement packages at reasonable prices like Wild Hearts Elopements or Ella Mai. They have years of experience and will guide you with every step needed for your dream elopement wedding. From all inclusive elopement packages Scotland to humble and stylish cabin stays. If you prefer to organise everything on your own, you can have an elopement ceremony pretty much everywhere. Scottish law is quite liberal for couples willing to get married as long as they respect local authorities and nature. You can easily be overwhelmed with the options, there are so many beautiful spots and backdrops! So here are my top 10 best places in Scotland to elope.

1. Glencoe and Glen Etive

Glencoe is about 2.5 hours drive from Glasgow over very scenic A82 road. Or 3 hours drive from Edinburgh. Waterfalls, lochs, gorgeous viewpoints to stop and admire the landscape, breath in the fresh air. The route over Glencoe has it all, a popular w amongst tourists, been featured in such movies like Skyfall and Harry Potter series. As a result, at the weekends or summertime, road and car parks can be quite busy.

Once you get off the road, a little bit deeper into the wild, everything gets calm and remote. Glencoe well deserves to be one of the best places in Scotland to elope.

For hillwalkers and mountaineers, the Aonach Eagach Ridge walk path is a real test. If you take that hassle, the views are rewarding.

To re-create the Skyfall experience, turn left from A82 to Glen Etive after Glencoe Ski Resort. This place is truly magical. In winter could be covered with snow and over the summer, shades of hills and mountains are so green, which is mesmerised. Autumn makes hills in golden shades colour.

For more info visit Glencoe Scotland Accommodation suggestions:

• Signal Rock Glencoe Cottages – Stylish cottage, perfect for couples
• St Mary’s Space – Hidden near Appin sitooterie dedicated for eloping couples
• Glencoe House – luxury, 5 star suite accommodation
• King’s House Hotel – Rural hotel in the heart of Glencoe with striking mountain views Lyn Leven – Guest House
• Strath Lodge Glencoe – Modern home set in a stunning mountain landscape
• The Glencoe Inn – A charming inn with bar and the wood burning stove
• Clachaig Inn – Inexpensive hotel with all needed facilities
• Glen Etive Schoolhouse – Self Catering Accommodation in Glen Etive

Ideas for elopement and hiking:

• Loch Tulla Viewpoint
• Glen Etive
• Aonach Eagach Ridge
• Three Sisters Viewpoint
• Buachaille Etive Mor
• Glencoe Lochan

2. Corrour

Anyone familiar with the famous Trainspotting movie should remember the remote train station scene. It is Corrour. You can get here by train to Fort William. it’s the most romantic way to get there. Road developed to Corrour Accommodation Site is the remotest train station in the UK. From the station, take a walking path to Loch Ossian.

You’ll find Youth Hostel at the edge of Loch Ossian. The best place to book a sleepover would be Corrour accommodation site with lodges and cosy cottages. Book in advance as places are limited.

3. The Trossachs and Loch Lomond

It’s the area that contains the East shore of Loch Lomond across to west Stirling. Very scenic and romantic place packed with lochs hills and summits. Only about a 1-hour drive from Glasgow could be an ideal choice from places in Scotland to elope.

If you feel like a forest is more your thing of nature, I could recommend Aberfoyle and Callander forestry. My favourite place is Bracklin Falls, located above the town of Callander. It’s an easy walk up to forestry and the scenic old bridge over the river and most spectacular waterfalls, especially after heavy rain. It’s a good, easy walk patch, definitely worth visiting if not for the elopement spot.

Three Loch Forestry Drive just off Duke’s pass is another option. Although over the wintertime, forest drive is closed to the public.

Access to Loch Lomond shore over The Trossachs is a single file road from Aberfoyle to Inversnaid. Easy access to a beautiful view of Loch Chon on the way to Inversnaid could be the best spot for a quiet, intimate wedding ceremony.

Accommodation suggestions:

• Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa – Quiet hotel by the shores of Loch Ard
• The Bield Guest House – Situated in Aberfoyle cosy stay
• Bonnie’s Bothy – Small, hidden cottage by Loch Venachar. Perfect for romantic getaways
• Inversnaid Hotel – Comfortable hotel placed at the north eastern banks of Loch Lomond
• Railway Cottage Killin – Surrounded by hills, forest, wildlife and stunning views of Glen Dochart

4. Isle of Skye

Travel takes a 6-hour drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. To get there you could either drive over the Skye bridge or take a ferry from Mallaig. I’d recommend a later, short ferry cruise just adds a little bit more to your epic elopement adventure. Plus on the way to Mallaig you can stop by Glenfinnan Viaduct, featured in several Harry Potter movies.

The scenery on the Isle of Skye is just breathtaking. Skye is a perfect destination for elopements or small, intimate weddings. You can stop at any point, walk off the road and enjoy the gorgeous view. Most iconic is the Storr located on the northeast side of the island. The Storr, rocks composed of ancient lava are nothing you’ve seen before, The Storr is located just a few miles up north from the largest town on Skye, Portree, where you can purchase supplies and petrol.

The Quiraing. Access to this place is by twisty, full of hairpins single file road. Once you start walking from the car park, you realise The Quiraing is unique and one of a kind with spectacular landscapes. It’s a touristy, most of the time busy walk path.

Once you get off a mainly muddy walk path (good boots needed!) you should have a quiet, intimate moment for your elopement wedding ceremony and photography session. In the summertime, those places can be busy. Remote parts of the island are up for suggestions if you like more intimacy.

Places to stay ideas:

• Brae Cottage – Laid back guesthouse with a hot tub
• Skye Cabins – Rustic Luxury cabins in the centre of island 
• Kinloch Lodge Hotel – Cosy, small hotel located at south-east 
• Lorien Lodge – Luxury lodge in the village of Upper Breakish 
• Loch Eyre Shepherds Hut – The rustic living experience

Complex information about accommodation on Skye you can find on the Hidden Scotland page.

5. Applecross, Torridon and Eilean Donan Castle

Fancy to elope in Scotland castle? A 13th Century Eilean Donan is located in the rural Scottish Highland area. At the meeting point of three sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland, by the main road leading to the Isle of Skye. Castle can be hired for intimate weddings for two Scotland in just around £1000 pounds.

Applecross and twisty, dramatic road over Bealach Na Ba viewpoint drive along the coast to Loch Shieldaig is a hidden gem of Scotland. Plenty of places to stay and spend the night.

Torridon, usually a less touristy place is packed with stunning places to have an elopement. Adventurous couples can hike over 5 Munros found in that area. If you make an effort to go as far as to have an elopement experience, you should not regret that decision.

Applecross and Torridon accommodation ideas:

• Eagle Rock Applecross – Five Star Eco-Luxury Holiday Rental Scottish Highlands 
• Applecross Inn – B&B with sea view and cosy bar
• The Torridon – Castle style luxury hotel and gourmet restaurant
• Tigh An Eilean – hotel in 19 century converted cottages by Loch Shieldaig

6. Glen Roy National Nature Reserve

To get there turn in to A86 when travelling from Fort William to Roybridge. Then take Braeroy Rd up to Glen Roy Nature Reserve. If travelling by car, you can park a vehicle at Glen Roy National Nature Reserve Car Park and take a walk up to Luib Chonnal BOTHY directions. Walking up Glen Roy there are noticeable, mysterious parallel lines horizontally. That distinctive line has been created by the last glacial at the end of the ice age.

The route goes right beside River Roy and offers plenty of scenery to be amazed at and waterfalls. Real into the wild Scottish highland experience. Nearby accommodation ideas:

• Bohenie Pine Lodge – Self-catering accommodation by the River Roy
• The Roy Bridge Hotel – Traditional Highland Coaching Inn with restaurant and bar
• Birchbank Bed & Breakfast – Traditional B&B with cosy and inexpensive rooms by the Roy Bridge

7. Isle of Mull

How to get there: Ferry from Oban to Craignure or shorter, cheaper ferry option from Lochaline to Fishnish. Mull is rich in clean, beautiful beaches, which is unique in the whole UK. Remote, looking like French Riviera beaches are on far south of the island. Temperatures like in South France are highly unlikely. On a positive note, most of the beaches are empty. Imagine a romantic, quiet elopement ceremony by the sea. How nice that would be. Paces worth consider MacKinnon’s Cave, Treshnish Walk. Tobermory is the capital of Mull with scenic walks around the town area. For more information visit isle-of-mull.net

Accommodation suggestions:

• Benmore Estate Ltd – Situated at the heart of the Island cute, quiet lodge
• Fairways Lodge – Located close in Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull
• Tostarie House Holiday Cottage – Converted 19th century barn with Loch Tuath view

8. Isle of Arran

How to get there: Ardrossan (1-hour drive from Glasgow) to Brodick by ferry services. The cruise takes 1 hour. Ferry to Arran and back departs five times a day. The number one place to have an elopement would be Machrie Moor Standing Stones. Neolithic stone circles dated to 3500 BC creates that unique atmosphere of pre-historic religions and beliefs. Machrie Moor Standing Stones are part of Arran Coastal Way, 60 miles walk with diverse landscapes from sandy beaches to rocky cliffs. If you a fan of Scottish whiskey would be a good idea to stop at Lochranza and have a taste of traditional whiskey from Arran.

Places to stay are located mostly along the island’s coastal lines. Here are a few of my favourite picks:

• Blackwaterfoot Lodge – Traditional B&B and cottage by the harbour on the south west coast of the Isle of Arran 
• Castlekirk Arthouse – Converted 19th century Free Church of Scotland in Lochranza village
• Darven Cottage – Inexpensive B&B on the shores of Sannox Bay

9. Cairngorms National Park

Glen Clova and Glen Doll. Breathtaking views, a peaceful place closer to the east coast, at the south of Cairngorms National Park. A little bit over 2 hours drive from Edinburgh if you travel from the capital of Scotland. It’s well worth the effort. You can stay overnight in Glen Clova Luxury Lodges and have a ceremony or hiking the next day. Take a walking path from Clova by trail up to Loch Brandy and have an elopement there.

Optionally – drive shortly down over the local single file country road down to the large Glen Doll car park. From Ranger Base take a forestry walk by the White River up to Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve.

Rothiemurchus forest walks by Loch an Eilein. Located in the heart of Cairngorms National Park. Rothiemurchus, away from the busy town centre of Aviemore. The Dell of Rothiemurchus Lodge is an amazing place to stay if you travelling with a larger group of friends and family. The lodge can accommodate up to 24 guests.

10. Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland has to offers great old architecture, many good hotels and B&Bs to stay and cultural places to go. For the couples who enjoy infrastructure over wild nature wandering and facing so unpredictable rain showers.

A popular place for elopement in Edinburgh is Arthur’s seat. The walk takes about 2 hours from Holyrood Park with a view of the great city panorama. Another great place to have an elopement combined with a couple of photoshoots would is Carlton Hill located just a little over a mile from Arthur’s seat. To have a wedding photoshoot in a park area or city centre, you need to give notice to the City authorities. Wedding photographers need to have liability insurance. Permission in the Edinburgh parks usually costs a fee, in Calton Hill is £80.

Edinburgh has too many pubs and places to go to mention them all. A short list of my recommended hotels and restaurants. Places to stay suggestions:

• The Edinburgh Residence – Upscale, luxury rooms with reasonable prices in the heart of Edinburgh Fingal – The floating ship hotel and restaurant
• Linton Collection – Blackfriars Lofts

Restaurant’s ideas serving vegan and vegetarian food:

• Holy Cow
• David Bann Restaurant Harmonium
• Novapizza Vegan Kitchen

Places in Scotland to elope – Summary

10 best places in Scotland to elope cover only popular places. I would love to know what’s your best, most romantic or just lovely hidden gem which is plenty in Scotland, a large country with a small population. That leaves many more remote, great locations not included on the list. I hope this little read was somewhat helpful. Elopement can be in the back of your garden, Glasgow or the centre of Edinburgh and be the same as beautiful as a day on the Isle of Skye. It’s your connection that makes it special.