Eloping to Scotland | Elopement Ideas

Eloping to Scotland?

The definition of ‘elope’ is ‘to run away secretly to get married’. It conjures up very romantic images of our brave and rebellious ancestors risking all for love.

If you would like to get married in secret in Scotland you should know the following things.

Scotland is the perfect place! Full of romance and history, legends and stories, it makes for a wonderful destination.

You can hold your ceremony anywhere subject to obtaining any necessary permission.

You have only yourselves to please, so can get married any time of day or night.

Having a legal aspect to your ceremony is easy if you have the correct and necessary paperwork to hand and make your application in sufficient time - we can guide you.

How can we help?

We can create a beautiful and personal ceremony for you - the level of input you might like to have might depend how much notice we have.

We can advise on ancient Celtic ritual to make your ceremony memorable and meaningful for you. Perhaps a Celtic Handfasting? Perhaps sharing a drink from a Quaich? Perhaps jumping the besom or broom?

We can suggest places to hold your ceremony.

We can help provide legal witnesses if needed for you.

We can photograph or record your ceremony for you.

We can help with those little extras that make your day all the more enjoyable – perhaps a bottle of champagne on ice? Some Scottish smoked salmon canapés?

Perhaps you’d like a bouquet or buttonhole? Perhaps you’d like us to drive you?

Perhaps you’d like some musician, accommodation or restaurant recommendations?

Perhaps you’d like us to suggest ideas for and organize your whole day or stay for you?

‘Design Your Day’ might include a bespoke picnic or meal, a cake, massage, dinner in a special restaurant, photos out and about in local beauty spots?

‘Design Your Stay’ might include the creation of an itinerary for you depending on your interests – stone circles, ruined castles, whisky, golf, walking, shopping, theatre, history, highland games?

We have some fantastic places to hold a ceremony near us – perfect for an elopement – beaches, lochsides, ruined castles, hotels, gardens, mountain tops, woodland, waterfalls, boats, wee churches – what would you choose?

For where to stay we know of places to suit small budgets as well as 5* luxury. We can hold your ceremony anywhere and you might enjoy searching online yourselves. To give you some idea and get your creative ideas flowing, the following people and places are we know committed to hosting tiny wee weddings and look forward to offering you a friendly service and supporting you to have your dream ceremony and day - they're not the only people but they give you lots of ideas as to what's possible.

Where To Hold Your Ceremony

Elope to Castle Leod?

Indulge your fascination with the Outlander series by running away to Castle Leod. Perhaps you’d like to have an Outlander ceremony at the castle which is the seat of Clan Mackenzie and famous for being the castle which inspired Diana Gabaldon’s Castle Leoch? Eve and John Mackenzie, the Earl and Countess of Cromartie, offer you a warm welcome, and can act as your legal witnesses.

You could stay close by in Strathpeffer or in Inverness.
Hire A Wee Holiday Cottage

Christiane Morley at The Little Blue House near Gorthleck

You might like to find your own little cottage, or stay a week at the Little Blue House (or 3 night short break low season) and have your ceremony in the garden there with your hosts Robin and Chrissy as legal witnesses.

You then might like to have us take you for a picnic and photos at a remote loch a few miles drive away, or even have Robin and Chrissy take you on a hike to enjoy a spectacular view or some wild swimming - there's nothing quite like having knowledgeable locals show you around.
Camp Or Glamp?

Libby Thomas-Wright at Smithfield of Ythanbank B&B and campsite near Ellon and Methlick, Aberdeenshire

There are lots of campsites but this hideaway retreat can offer so much it’s been awarded a Best Holiday Accommodate award. If just the two of you, and if having a two night stay, Libby can offer accommodation in B&B, camping, or a wee log cabin (though it’s single bunks!) – she can also oversee the hire of a bell tent or teepee if you prefer that idea to a tent. You could get married in the tranquility of the garden. Will could be one legal witness if needed, and Libby the other.
Stay In A Cabin Or Lodge

The fabulous Burgie Arboretum with its mature trees and lochs is perfect for an outdoor ceremony and if you did bump into someone else whilst there is large enough to find a quiet secret spot just for you. It’s the perfect combination to then stay at Burgie Lodges – new cabins with hot tubs with the most phenomenal view overlooking Findhorn Village and Bay in the distance, as well as over to The Black Isle and further north.

We like that this lodge has a hot tub, but we also know of other fabulous lodges near Inverness, set up high with a spectacular view - it would depend on your budget.
Fancy Eloping On A Private Wee Beach?

Helen Acreman at Split Rock Croft near Lochinver

Helen and husband Graeme were married on their spectacular piece of land which has a private beach. Since then they have built a beautiful eco house – sometime B&B, sometime self catering accommodation.

You could choose the private clifftop or private beach for your ceremony and Will could be one legal witness if needed, and Helen or Graeme could be the other.
A Loch Ness Wedding

The Loch Ness B&B near Dores on the south side of Loch Ness

Your hosts Fiona and John ask for a minimum two night stay for weddings for two, and offer you the option of getting married on their private beach on the shores of Loch Ness, with a great Plan B in in case of unkind weather is their first floor lounge overlooking the loch. Will could be one legal witness if needed, and Fiona or John the other.

This location is particularly good for families as Fiona and John have a young family, and you can choose from two double rooms, a family room or twin.
The Splendour Of A Castle!

Brodie Castle near Nairn/Forres

If just the two of you, we can negotiate a very attractive cost for having your ceremony in the castle or gardens. You might like the idea of the Laird's Wing and choose to stay actually in a modernised apartment within the castle. Or there are holiday cottages, as well as a gift shop and café. Will could be one legal witness if needed, and we could hire in the other.

Crathes Castle near Aboyne

Crashes can offer similar options of having your ceremony in the castle or gardens. You can't stay in the castle but there are also holiday cottages, a gift shop and café. Will could be one legal witness if needed, and we could hire in the other.
The Mystery Of A Castle

We stumbled upon two iconic hilltop fortress castles by accident. With 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside either are amazing.

Duffus Castle is a few miles from Elgin and the coast at Lossiemouth, and Auchindoun Castle is inland near Dufftown.

There is a farmhouse to rent with a view of Duffus Castle, or you could stay around Moray; or Auchindoun is just 200m from two luxury apartments which have been created out of former barns.
Eco And Unusual Holiday Houses

Reiner and Sheileagh Luyken at The Brochs of Coigach

Situated within four acres of their own ground, the two Brochs are quite extraordinary hideaway retreats each with a sauna. A Broch is an Iron Age roundhouse built in a hilly landscape, and these Brochs have been modelled around this ancient concept.

The surrounding countryside would provide a beautiful backdrop, or you could hold your ceremony on the beach.

Your hosts Sheileagh and Reiner are open to you holding your ceremony at The Brochs, and to being your legal witnesses.
Ancient Stone Circles

Aberdeenshire is rich in stone circles, and there are three in particular that we love to visit. Each have their own unique settings.

Sunhoney is at the back of a farm and surrounded by fields. Long grass surround the stones, and mature trees protect the site.

The circle at Tarland is set up high with a 360 degree view of the countryside, as is the circle at Easter Aquthorthies.

It would be hard to choose between them as they each offer a very special setting.
Luxury Escapism

Owners Mike and Pawana have created the ultimate self-catering holiday experience at Eagle Brae in the Scottish Highlands. Each of the chalets offers privacy, luxury, comfort and a unique charm, and the perfect place to get married and honeymoon!

You can enjoy the beauty and tranquility and just relax and get away from it all, or you can have adventures - deer stalking, sled dog rides, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, cycling, pony trekking, clay pigeon shooting, walking, fishing and golf are all on offer.

Steve and Claire booked a week and eloped without telling family until the day - they posted their happy news on Facebook then the congratulations started to come in. They got married and then honeymooned.
A Private Loch

Follow in the footsteps of Mike and Marie who stumbled across luxury self catering accommodation Willowbarn and ended up getting married between the two private wee lochs in the idyllic twelve acre garden.

Situated on the outskirts of the quiet and tranquil village of Rafford the barn is a spacious first floor haven, and your hosts Carlo and Fiona would be delighted for you to have your wedding and honeymoon in the garden or barn, and if needed could act as your legal witnesses.
A Tiny Wee Church

If you harbour a dream to get married in church, yet the idea of a usual church service doesn't appeal, why not get married in a privately owned church and have a personal ceremony.

We know of several small churches which lend themselves beautifully to an intimate ceremony for two people.
On The Beach

If the sea and the beach are absolute musts for your ceremony and stay, there are some amazing settings and properties available for you, and one of our favourites is the beautifully restored Mill of Nethermill set overlooking the secluded Nethermill Bay, just up the road from the village of Pennan, well known from being featured in the classic 1980's film Local Hero.

There are four luxury self-catering holiday apartments to choose from and your hosts Bill and Lyn are happy to help in any way to ensure you have the perfect stay.

Elopement Costs And Packages

Hopefully the information above has given you an overview of what's possible - we, Angie and Will, have more ideas and suggestions than we could include here, so if nothing above appeals, please let us know what would appeal, and we will endeavour to help.

Ceremony Fees

These fees and packages are offered by husband and wife team Will and Angie, so only available in the north and The Highlands, and they are for Elopements which means there will be just the two of you getting married in secret. These prices are for 2021 and 2022.

Our standard ceremonies begin at £495 and go up according to the ceremony length, format and content. There is no difference in fees for a legal or non legal ceremony other than you need to know there is a fee of around £70 payable to the local council to process and administrate a legal wedding.

Also if we are providing legal witnesses for you, you need two and they usually get paid £30-50 each plus something towards travel if travelling a distance, depending on the location, by you. If Will is taking photos and acting as a witness for you he waives his witness fee so we only need to bring one other person along.

Ceremony Fees at a Glance

Scripted ceremony (does not include your personal story) - £425 plus travel - midweek only

Standard personal ceremony - £495 plus travel - available 7 days a week, any size group

Bespoke personal ceremony - £545-695 plus travel - available 7 days a week, any size group

Standard photos - £595 plus travel

Bespoke photos - £895 for the day (photos getting ready, during the ceremony, and afterwards) plus travel

Midweek Package ceremony and photos - £950 inclusive to £995 plus travel - location dependent

Fri/Sat/Sun Package ceremony and photos - £995 plus travel - location dependent

Young Travellers’ Budget package - specific conditions apply - ask for details

Organisational help - £15-30 per hour

More detail on options below . . .

What’s Included

Included in each ceremony fee is the ceremony preparation time and the holding of the ceremony on the day, with ongoing contact in general in the lead up to the day, guidance for making the legal aspect, and ideas for personal vows as needed. Some of the options also include your choice of readings, ritual and music, and including your story to make your ceremony personal to you.

For photos of your ceremony Will takes shots of you arriving at the ceremony spot, during the ceremony, and then afterwards around the location. Your photos are then edited and posted online in a private password protected gallery, so you and your family and friends can have access.

Not all celebrants and photographers offer the service we do, so when comparing costs you may not be comparing like with like. Angie gives you her full attention in all preparation communications, giving you free ideas and advice for where to hold a ceremony and where to stay, if choosing to marry in the Moray and Highlands area.

If you need a more personalized organizational approach however, you can also book Angie to research things outside her area, and/or book things on your behalf, and/or take care of setting up things for you on the day, and for this she charges an hourly fee of £15-30 above and beyond the ceremony fee.

Keeping It Simple

If you feel you don’t want or need all the usual inclusions in a ceremony, and you’re choosing to hold your ceremony out of season or on a weekday, at three months’ notice or less, local to us, we offer some budget options and depending on your choice of location travel may be in addition. Let us know if this is of interest.

A Happy Hour at Home

Do you feel you would just like to be married simply and easily with no fuss, no preparation, no guests? One weekday evening or early Sunday morning just in your kitchen or garden? or maybe you want to come to our garden?

We have a short and sweet ceremony we can hold for you which doesn’t require any input from you, other than if you’d like to create your own personal vows you can. And you can share the secret and enlist two family members or friends to act as your legal witnesses, or you can keep the secret and we can provide and bring witnesses with us. Let us know your thoughts and we can confirm a price.

Summer Saturday Sunset Packages

Saturdays in wedding season (Easter to the end of October) can get booked for up to three years in advance, however this doesn’t necessarily rule out a small, short notice wedding on a Saturday if you’re just the two of you or a tiny group and willing to be flexible on start time to fit in with our wedding commitments earlier that day.

Your ceremony would take place late afternoon or early evening rather than sunset, because actually, during the summer months, the sun doesn’t set until going on for 11pm! Travel costs would be in addition unless you came to us.

Elopement / Betrothal Packages

If you realise you would actually really like to have photos of your betrothal ceremony, or to include some ritual such as a hand tying or sharing a drink from a Quaich (or both) in your ceremony, you might consider our elopement/betrothal package which includes everything you need – ribbon, quaich, whisky.

This package is available at several locations in the Nairn, Elgin, Forres area for £950 including travel. And available at any location up to two hours' travel away for £995 plus travel.

Young Travellers’ Budget Packages

We, Will and Angie, have found some young couples whilst travelling around Scotland realize they would like to have a ceremony whilst here, with photos to send home to family. Because of visa restrictions and the short notice, this is a non legal ceremony and it would be on a mutually doable date at certain locations close to us. This is only available at short notice so not possible to book more than 60 days in advance. Please let us know your thoughts and ideas and we will see if we can find a way of helping you.

For fun – here’s some history of elopement and the law

Apparently in the 1100s a man could ‘claim’ a woman as his wife. We can imagine this left women vulnerable to being kidnapped – especially heiresses who had a title or who were worth fortunes in livestock or land – on marriage her property would become her husband’s whether she liked it or not.

In the mid 1500s the church attempted to legislate marriage. Whilst we have come to question some of the church's motives around control and manipulation of the masses, legislating marriage was primarily a good thing as it protected women more, however at this point a civil marriage remained possible through a simple public declaration or a joining of hands or through a statement of intent.

In 1754 Lord Hardwicke’s Marriage Act reformed marriage in England bringing it under the regulation of the church – couples had to be aged 21 to marry without parental consent, whereas before, no consent was needed if they were aged at least 16.

Ever the rebels, Scotland refused to adopt Lord Hardwicke’s law, and this led to young English lovers who determined to marry in spite of parental opposition, travelling to Scotland. Gretna Green became so popular because it was the first village in Scotland on the old coaching route from London.

Recognized the world over in its own right, Scottish law is still different to English law. The legal application to marry is different, the necessary legal elements in a ceremony are slightly different, and the age you can marry without parental consent is different – it remains 16 in Scotland but is currently 18 in England.

Contrary to popular belief there are no loopholes in the Scottish legal system that make it easier to legally marry in Scotland – to marry in Scotland or England or anywhere else in the UK requires advance notice and the same visas, and supporting documentation and proof of identification and age. There is currently a movement to change the laws in England and Wales, but with the current climate of uncertainty amidst the Covid pandemic, and post Brexit, this a slow process and we don't know what changes there might be.

“Thank you so much for your help in the run up to the big day and for tailoring our service to something that felt so right on the day. We had so many compliments about the service and the job you had done. Thank you for helping make the day extra special and for really going the extra mile for us. It truly is appreciated.”

Elopement Costs And Packages

Isla and Billy