Eloping to Skye? Planning your Isle of Skye Elopement 2023

Planning Your Isle of Skye Elopement

Are you eloping to The Isle of Skye? Or in the process of planning your Isle of Skye Elopement?

As you are looking into getting married on Isle of Skye! Congratulations! You have chosen to marry in one of the most beautiful parts of the world! I made this page especially for people like you. I’m an award winning Isle of Skye Elopement Photographer, I specialise in creating bespoke elopements for couples on Skye and the Scottish Highlands. Eloping is one of the most truly personal and wonderful ways to get married!

I’m here to give you essential information for your Skye elopement. For example, the best Skye elopement locations, How to get married on The Isle of Skye, the legal side. And finally, beautiful ideas to make your day extra special.

 Where to Elope on The Isle of Skye?

 Elopement Locations

I have captured many elopements and Weddings all over The Isle of Skye now. Undoubtedly one of the most magical places in the world to get married! With this in mind I’m going to let you into some of my favourite spots to elope! There are also many places off the beaten track that I have discovered since living here. Couples who book me have access to truly secret and magical locations! For now, here are some of the most popular places to get married on The Isle of Skye!

1. Quiraing

 One of the most breathtaking landscapes in Scotland

Location: You can find The Quiraing about 30 minutes drive from Portree. It is situated in the north of Skye in the area known as ‘Trotternish’. Staffin and Uig, the nearest villages either side of the Quiraing are joined by a single track road. You can get to the beautiful ridge a short walk away from the car park (see the photos below) and many people choose to get married or have photographs here. Although I do think it’s worth hiking further in to have the place to yourself. The beauty of this place is the panoramic views that change so drastically throughout the seasons and even the day! It can get particularly busy here in Summer though. My favourite time for elopements here is October – November, the low light and deep red colours on the mountain are just mesmerising!

Best time to elope here: Spring or Autumn at sunrise.

2.  Fairy Glen

 A whole other world of sculpted grassy hills and still pools

Location: Just above the village Uig in the North of Skye sits the most magical place to say your vows. Without a doubt Fairy Glen feels like another world. With sculpted grassy hills, hidden caves and still pools. Fairy Glen is as magic as it sounds! Climb up to the top of Castle Ewan to see the most stunning views. Abundant with little nooks, Fairy Glen is perfect to find a quiet little spot to get married!

Best time to elope here: Summer in the evening or Spring and Autumn early in the morning.

3. The Old Man of Storr

The most dramatic mountain ridge.

Location: The Old Man of Storr is a Majestic pinnacle of Rock that can be seen for miles around Skye. (I can see the top from my house!) It’s located in the North as part of the Trotternish Ridge (about a 10 minute drive from Portree). Perhaps one of the busiest places to elope but for good reason! Its absolutely incredible! Hiking will take about 45 minutes but it is well worth the trek! It’s a moderate climb ad relatively safe as there is a good path. However, be aware that the weather changes so quickly here on Skye, so you can get caught in a downpour!

Best time to elope here: Autumn or winter at sunrise or sunset

4. Elgol

 The beautiful rocky shores and best views of The Cuillin Mountains

Location: Elgol lies Southwest of Skye, along a single track road from Broadford which takes about an hour. Imagine marrying underneath honeycomb rock  (see the example below!) whilst listening to the waves crash into the shores. Its also one of the best places to see The Cuillin Mountains! Definitely one of my favourite places to elope on The Isle of Skye! Top tip – its much quieter than many of the other locations making it a very intimate almost secret wedding location!

Best time to elope here: Spring and summer at sunset

5. Loch Coruisk

 Inside the Heart of The Cuillins.

Location: Loch Coruisk – a magical place to elope that you have to get a boat to! Imagine whisking your nearest and dearest on a boat to a beautiful loch to marry the love of your life! Firstly starting at Elgol, the boat trip itself will whisk you past some of the most stunning scenery in The Isle of Skye. Then finally you get to have your intimate elopement ceremony on your own secret place! The Boats usually run from March to October but can be called off if the weather is too bad. Trust me, you don’t want to head out here on a stormy day unless you have your sea legs! Get in touch with Misty Isle Boat trips or Belle Jane boat trips to book your trip. They do private boat trips over for your wedding which means you can go there when no one else is about!

Best time to elope here: Summer and all times of the day.

6. Sligachan

Where the Black Cuillin meets the western Sea.

Location: Sligachan is located very centrally on the Isle of Skye. Since moving to Skye, Sligachan has been one of my favourite places to go and watch the light change over the Cuillin Mountains, it’s boggy in parts but mysterious, craggy and just beautiful. 

Best time to elope here: Autumn or winter close to sunset.

Finally, here are few more location ideas for your Isle of Skye elopement: Coral Beach, Neist Point, Fairy Pools, Dunscaith Castle and Talisker Bay. Although, I live near Portree and I’m always scouting for new locations. I now have a huge directory built up of amazing unknown places for your elopement ceremony which I am happy to share privately with my clients once they book. This is to preserve the beautiful unspoilt landscape that I am lucky enough to call home! Get in touch if you would like to discuss your Isle of Skye Elopement!

Isle of Skye Elopement Accommodation

If you are going to do it, do it right, right? There are so many beautiful places to stay on Skye. However, finding the right place to fit in with your wedding plans can be daunting if you don’t know the area. I’m here to help you! Below you will find some of the hotels and wedding venues I would recommend for your Skye elopement.

Monkstadt 1745 Luxury Lodge

Bask in one of five luxurious four-poster suites, all thoughtfully designed with your comfort in mind. Think roll-top baths and all the modern luxuries you could possibly need to relax and unwind in the tranquillity of Skye’s rugged west coastline. This luxury house has it’s own restaurant and bar and is dog friendly!

Best Place if you want to elope: Quiraing

Cuillin Hills Hotel

Located in Portree, central Skye. This wonderful hotel offers mountain and harbour views and an incredible restaurant all year round. The Cuillin Hills Hotel is a great place to stay right in the centre of Portree where there are many shops, cafes and restaurants nearby.

Best Place if you want to elope: anywhere

Duisdale House Hotel, South Skye

Located on The Sleat Peninsula, in the South-West of Skye, This Boutique Hotel offers Contemporary rooms. Along with the most beautiful views and fine dining food for after your ceremony. The Duisdale Hotel also offers the possibility of an Indoor Elopement Venue and caters for up to 55 guests! (If you want a bit of a party afterwards.)

Best Place if you want to elope at: Elgol, Dunscaith Castle

Kinloch Lodge, South Skye

Situated on The Sleat Peninsula, at the foot of a mountain Kinloch Lodge offers complete luxury! Somewhere to escape the noise and unwind whilst overlooking Loch Na Dal. Absolutely perfect for an intimate wedding or elopement.

Best Place if you want to elope at: Elgol, Dunscaith Castle

Skeabost House Hotel, Central Skye

Located just a few miles outside of Portree. This Boutique Hotel is in the perfect place for exploring the Island and eloping at The Quiraing, Old Man of Storr and Fairy Glen!

Best Place if you want to elope at: Fairy Glen, Old Man of Storr

Sligachan Hotel, Central Skye

Sligachan Hotel is right in the centre of Skye, surrounded by the beautiful Cuillin Mountains. They have a great variation of wedding and elopement accommodation to suit everyone. Plus they are also home to the great Cuillin Brewery..and their bar stocks over 300 different whiskeys!

Best place if you want to elope at: Sligachan

The Three Chimneys, North Skye

So if you want 5 star luxury for your elopement, not to mention one of the best restaurants and food experiences you could possibly have on The Isle of Skye, then this place is for you! Overlooking Loch Dunvegan, The Three chimneys is in the perfect location for your North Skye Elopement.

Best place if you want to elope at: Neist Point

Coruisk House, South Skye

A beautiful hotel set in the most unspoiled and quiet of landscapes of Elgol, south Skye. Absolutely perfect if you love food and want a completely tranquil escape!

Best place if you want to elope at: Elgol, Loch Coruisk

Unique Isle of Skye Accommodation

Finally, I wanted to share a few ideas for people who want a completely unique Elopement on The Isle of Skye! Skye offers an abundance of alternative accommodation – here are some of my favourites!

Skye Red Fox Retreat – North Skye

A completely luxurious glamping cabin in North Skye (so close to The Quiraing). Forget everything you’ve ever learnt about camping because this place is seriously cool! With the most stunning views across the bay from their outside under cover decking area, with a glass roof! you can spend your evenings in their roll top bath overlooking the stars.

Best place if you want to elope at: Quiraing, Old man of Storr

Blackhouses, Sligachan – Central Skye

Sligachan Self Catering offers 2 identical modern cottages with unparalleled views over the Cuillin. Large glass windows invite the outside in, immersing you in the wonderful surrounding scenery and wildlife. A great place to relax with a whisky in front of the fire. With plenty of amazing hikes on your door step.

Best place if you want to elope at: Sligachan, Fairy Pools

Black H, Harlosh – North Skye

On the Isle of Skye’s rugged and beautiful west coast, Black h is positioned and designed to both withstand the weather and embrace the landscape, so you can immerse yourself in both. Surrounded by open croft, this architectural hideaway for two is a soft minimalistic space that’s private, contemporary and luxurious.

Best Place if you want to elope: Harlosh Point (and many secret locations!)

The Studio – Isle of Skye

Firstly, as a huge fan of beautiful and contemporary architecture, I came across this incredible eco house located near the Cuillin Mountains and the infamous Talisker Distillery! It has been designed by award winning architects Rural Design. You can walk out from the studio directly into the landscape to the beach, sea cliffs and beautiful birch woods. This one is suitable just for 2 people, perfect for an intimate elopement on Skye!

Best place if you want to elope at: Fairy Pools, Talisker Bay

The Tin House – Milovaig, Skye

A completely unique cottage for 2 overlooking the sea in North West Skye! This is in one of my favourite places on Skye – Imagine sitting watching the panoramic views of a beautiful sunset over the seascape! It’s secluded, but in a good way with plenty of wonderful places to eat nearby!

Best place if you want to elope at: Coral beach

The Eyrie – Isle of Skye

Created by our very own award winning R.House team, The Eyrie is a stunning self-catering cottage located near The Quiraing, on Skye. Including spectacular views, a wood burning stove and two king sized bedrooms, this is perfect if you want luxury for your Isle of Skye Elopement!

Best place if you want to elope at: Quiraing

The Tin Sheds – South, Isle of Skye

The Tin sheds are new to our beautiful island and are located on South Skye, near Broadford. They are two luxury cottages that sleep 6 each available to hire for the most romantic stay!

Best place if you want to elope at: Elgol, Loch Coruisk

Eagle Rock – Applecross

This one is one for the ultimate bucket list! The crème de la crème of Elopement accommodation! The jaw-dropping contemporary Eco home sleeps up to 14 people and is perfect for an intimate elopement on The Isle of Skye. Located in Applecross, a peninsula overlooking the West coast of Skye. Also, for food lovers – nearby is Michelin star, award winning Applecross Inn.

‘Nestled between earth and sky, Eagle Rock is the ideal perch to take some time out, reconnect with what is most important to you, and allow the song of the wild highlands to wrap you in wonder.’

Best Place if you want to elope at: Applecross (overlooking Skye)

How to get married on The Isle of Skye

The Legal Bit

Choosing the right suppliers for your elopement is so important! Because we are the ones who help you bring all your dreams and visions together. That includes the person who marries you!

You can marry in Scotland either by a religious/belief ceremony or a civil ceremony. Did you know that you can marry anywhere on The Isle of Skye? Provided its approved by your celebrant or local registration authority (civil ceremony).

Firstly you and your partner will each need to give notice to the district registrar for the area where you intend to marry. You do this by filling out an M10 form and sending it along with your birth certificates to the registrar you want to give notice too.

For eloping on Skye, you will want to get in touch with the Portree & Raasay Office.

This applies to a religious/belief or civil marriage. You must give the notices to the district registrar no earlier than 3 months and no later than 29 days before the date of the marriage. More details can be found here.

If you are not from the UK, you will also need to apply for a marriage visa!

You will also need to choose two witnesses for your marriage ceremony. If you want to do it completely alone, I’m always happy to be a witness to any ceremony I capture.

Humanist Ceremonies

 The most personal kind of ceremony

Humanist ceremonies really are just so personal and beautiful! From what I’ve gathered, Humanists seek to live an ethical and fulfilling life based on reason and compassion. The ceremonies revolve completely around you and your beautiful love story including how your friends and family have shaped your lives – I will remember my own humanist wedding ceremony forever!

I’ve witnessed the most amazing humanist ceremonies here on Skye. Get in touch with one of these celebrants below for more information.

My favourite Humanist Celebrants for your Isle of Skye Elopement are:

Rona – The lovely Rona is born and raised on Skye and we have worked together many times! She is such a joy and full of knowledge about the island, going above and beyond for all of the couples she marries! Plus I know first hand that Rona is always up for adventure, getting up well before sunrise to make sure you have the elopement ceremony you dreamed of!

Francesca – The wonderful Francesca is also based on South Skye and is the loveliest and calming person to have for your elopement ceremony. I’ve seen her brave the brutal storms that Skye delivers without faltering on her ceremony! Armed with the cutest baby girl (her wee daughter), she is amazing!

Gary – Although not based on Skye, I couldn’t not mention Gary as I hold a special place in my heart for his talent. Gary married my husband and I in 2019 with his beautiful way with words! The guy is also a wonderful photographer, lover of whisky and I have had the pleasure of working alongside him all over Scotland. He is most definitely happy to travel wherever you need him!

Ideas to make your Isle of Skye Elopement Special

1. Hand-fasting Ceremony 

A beautiful & personal ritual to add to your ceremony

Firstly Hand-fasting has been around for thousands of years although has become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s a particularly beautiful way to add a kind of symbolic ritual and personalisation to your marriage ceremony. Its about the binding-together and unity of two people – hence the phrase tying the knot! Our own hand-fasting ribbon was embroidered with all the different stages of our relationship and lives together.

2. Write your own Personal Vows

Make your elopement ceremony personal and beautiful

Writing and reading your own vows can seem daunting. However, the perks of eloping are that it is just you and your partner! (Okay and your photographer and celebrant). Nevertheless It is so intimate, and can be so beautiful – You don’t need to write pages and pages, It can be a few simple lines. Even so, just think to yourself, why am I marrying this person? Admittedly, I wrote my own vows on the morning of my wedding. Although I stand by the notion that my vows reflect exactly how I was feeling that morning. With this in mind, now think 10 years down the line on your anniversary. How beautiful will it be to read them back and remember the moment you eloped on Skye.

3. Romantic Elopement Picnics

Do you know I now offer these romantic fully styled elopement picnics for your Skye wedding! I work with the best suppliers on Skye and can set these up in the most magical locations! Imagine enjoying champagne and a beautiful wedding cake whilst snuggled inside a cosy bell tent watching the sea!

4. Adventure & Make Memories

Come to Skye for an adventure and leave with wonderful memories

Your photographs will be left long after anything else. Their importance and meaning grows with you and they become a portal to your memories for the rest of your life, and afterwards. They are sentimental, precious works of art. I fall in love with every story I’ve ever told! Without a doubt my favourite adventure elopements have been on The Isle of Skye! Indeed, you get the dramatic, moody skies, crazy wind and stunning sunsets! There are sometimes 4 seasons in one day here. I can’t promise it won’t rain but I promise it will be an unforgettable experience – the most incredible Elopement!

If you are also looking to document your Isle of Skye Elopement in video. I offer beautiful Super 8 Wedding films alongside my photography packages. Take a look at this highlight reel from 2021.

Watch this video: ‘Isle of Skye Elopement Highlights’ 

Isle of Skye Elopement Packages

If you’re thinking of eloping on The Isle of Skye but have no idea where to begin, I have created an all-inclusive luxury Isle of Skye elopement package for you! This elopement package includes a full planning service, 3 night stay, humanist celebrant for your ceremony, flowers, celebratory dinner, photography and film and so much more to make your elopement extra special!  Take a look here for all of the information and to book now for 2022 and 2023.

Isle of Skye Elopement Photographer

Finally, If you are looking for a photographer for your elopement on The Isle of Skye.

I’m so passionate about telling your story. I especially love to travel, explore and create beautiful art. In addition to using natural light to capture the emotion, the landscape and the little nuances of the story.

I absolutely adore my job – it really is such an honour to be present for the most special day of you life. My art is a collaboration and my goal is providing you with fine art and emotional photos you will cherish for life. Along with a wealth of knowledge and experience in planning your wedding or elopement.

Take a look around – if you like my vision i’d love for you to get in touch.

I hope we meet soon!