The Complete Scotland Elopement Guide
Full of mountain peaks, waterfalls, lakes, and rivers, Scotland is the perfect backdrop for your elopement or intimate wedding! It’s easy to tie the knot here if you’re a UK or US citizen and the vast landscapes makes Scotland an intimate elopement experience! Let’s unpack everything from legally getting married in Scotland to where to elope in Scotland!
Table of Contents:
1: How to get Legally Married in Scotland
2: Traveling Scotland 101
3: Scottish Highlands Elopement Locations
4: Isle of Skye Elopement Locations
5: How Much does it Cost to get Married in Scotland
6: Scotland Elopement Photographer
1: How to get legally married in Scotland
When eloping, it’s important to know how to get legally married, including the amount of witnesses you need and what paperwork you need to complete and bring with you.
Getting married in Scotland as UK Citizens
To get married in Scotland as UK citizens you’ll need to:
- Complete and send a Marriage Notice Form 1-3 months from your elopement date
- You’ll need two witnesses above the age of 16
How to Get married in Scotland as a US Citizen
If you’re not a UK citizen, you need to:
- Complete and send a Marriage Notice Form 1-3 months from your elopement date
- You need two witnesses above the age of 16
- You’ll need a certificate from your country saying there’s no reason you can’t be married in your country.
Alternatively, you can get married in the courthouse local to you to get all the legalities squared away, but have your ceremony and festivities in Scotland!
2: Traveling to Scotland 101
Where to stay in Scotland
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a really pretty, iconic, part of the country. There are castles, Princes Street, and a bunch of amazing restaurants and cafes. It has that old town feel and is not too far from the highlands.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the closest major city to the Highlands and Isle of Skye. If you just need a place to fly into before you start your highlands travel, this is a great spot for you!
Inverness
Inverness is the capital of the Highlands and iconic due to the Outlander series. It’s a cute town in the Highlands north of Glencoe and Loch Ness and a good central point if you’re bouncing between the highlands and Isle of Skye.
How to get around Scotland
Car rentals
Renting (or hiring as the Brits say) a car is the easiest way to travel around the highlands. It’s less time consuming and a more straightforward route to get to all the locations you’d like. There are companies like Enterprise and Hertz that are in major cities you’d fly into and you can always get a smaller car to squeeze through the narrow streets.
Public Transportation
Public Transportation is still an option in the highlands, mainly bus routes. These may take a bit longer to get to your destination and may not drop you off right at the trailhead. Isle of Skye is especially more difficult to get to on public transportation.
FAQ’s about traveling in Scotland
Do they speak English in Scotland?
Yes! English is the main language.
What currency do they use in Scotland?
GBP, British Pounds
Do I need a UK driving license to drive in Scotland?
If you do not plan on staying in the UK for a long period of time, you are able to use your US drivers license.
What side of the road do they drive on in Scotland?
In Scotland, they drive on the left side of the road.
Where’s the best city to stay in Scotland?
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, or Portee.
When is the best time of year to go to Scotland?
In summer, the weather is better, but shoulder seasons like Fall or Spring have less tourists, moody weather, and cooler temperatures.
Is Scotland LGBTQIA+ Friendly?
Yes, you are able to marry someone of the same sex in Scotland.
3: The Best Elopement Locations in the Scottish Highlands
Glencoe
Glencoe is one of the most beautiful cities in the heart of the Scottish Highlands! Surrounded by rolling hills and large fields, this is the epitome of what you think of when it comes to getting married in the Highlands. From Loch Leven to River Coe, there are so many beautiful spots to explore!
Where to stay in Glencoe
How to get to Glencoe
The easiest way to explore the highlands is by car. From Galsgow, it’s about a 2 hour train ride to Glencoe or a 3 hour bus. I recommend getting a car to explore all of what Glencoe has to offer and have more freedom to explore other areas of the highlands!
Loch Ness
It’s not the Scottish Highlands if you don’t visit Loch Ness! Full of scary stories of the Loch Ness Monster, it’s an iconic part of Scotland that has a dark history, but is still a beautiful location!
Where to stay in Loch Ness
How to get to Loch Ness
If you continue past Glencoe on your way up to Inverness, you’ll stop by Loch Ness! The best way is to fly into Glasgow and then drive to the lake!
Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is the tallest peak in Scotland located near Fort William. If you’re looking for beautiful mountain peaks and stunning waterfalls, this is a perfect location!
Where to stay near Ben Nevis
Fort William is the closest town, but you can stay near the places in Glencoe that were suggested since they’re so close!
How to get to Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is the mountain closest to Fort William, north of Glencoe. There are multiple trails around Ben Nevis ranging from beginner to expert level hikes.
4: The Best Elopement Locations in Isle of Skye, Scotland
Quiraing
Quiraing is a landslide of grassy green hills and rocky points in Isle of Skye. Running around the hills seems like the perfect spot for an iconic Scotland Elopement!
Where to stay near Quiraing
How to get to Quiraing
The closest major city to Isle of Skye is Glasgow which is about a beautiful 5.5 hour drive to Quiraing!
The Old Man of Storr
One of the most iconic views of Isle of Skye, Scotland is the Storr region. With its pointy black rocks, ocean views, and green hills, this is the perfect Scotland elopement location. Nearby and easier hikes include Fairy Glenn, but there are also plenty of lookouts of this iconic rock formation!
Where to stay near Storr
The closest major city to Storr is Portee!
How to get to Storr
From Portee, the main Storr trail is about a 20 min drive north!
Fairy Pools
On the south side of Isle of Skye are the Fairy Pools! A running river with a short waterfall and mountains in the background is a stunning backdrop for your Scotland elopement! It’s a short and easy hike for beautiful views.
Where to stay near the Fairy Pools
Carbost is the closest town to the fairy pools, about a 15 min drive.
How to get to the Fairy Pools
From Carbost, the Fairy Pools are a 15 min drive south west. There are a variety of hikes from easy 2 milers to 4 mile circle hikes!
5: How Much does it cost to Elope in Scotland?
Travel fees
Travel is one of the largest fees depending on where you’re flying in from. Flying into London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, or taking the train from London to Scotland are all options that may be $700-$1200 a person depending on where you’re coming in from.
Marriage License
With marriage notices, fees, and certificates, it’s about 155 GBP to be legally married in Scotland.
Accommodations
It’s easy to find a decent hotel in a major city for $200-$300 USD nightly. If you’re taking getting ready photos or having a micro wedding with a few guests, I recommend splurging on an Airbnb to have more space and stay closer to the location where you’re getting married. I’ve listed a few Airbnbs that I think would be great to photograph in, and they range from $300-$1,200 USD depending on location and how many guests can fit.
Transportation
I highly recommend renting (or hiring) a car to get around Scotland. There are public transportation options, but since it’s in the country it’s a little less efficient. Hiring a car makes getting places faster and you have more freedom on when and where you visit. If you have a US drivers license, you can still rent a car in the UK.
6: Scotland Elopement Photographer
If you’re looking to elope and are in search of a photographer for anywhere in Scotland, I’m your gal! Based in Edinburgh, I’ve loved helping couples find their perfect spot, plan their day, and give them so many fun memories to look back on! For more information on my elopement details, check out this page!
