When is the best time to elope to Scotland?
From the dramatic landscape of Skye to the stunning beaches of the Outer Hebrides, it goes without saying that Scotland offers some of the best elopement locations anywhere in the world.
But when it comes to nailing down a date for your elopement, it can be understandably tricky to know exactly when the best time to tie the knot is. In this guide, we’ll detail everything you need to know: from understanding when to expect the best weather, to avoiding tourists and those pesky midges.
Which month should I elope to Scotland in?
I’m going to caveat this artlice by saying that whichever month you decide to elope in, you’ll undoubtedly find the perfect setting somewhere in Scotland - it just depends on what your personal preferences are as to which months will work best for you.
March - May
Springtime in Scotland never fails to disappoint. With the climate cool enough to deter midges, but warm enough to feel comfortable(ish!) without a coat, March through to the end of May ranks as one of the most popular options for couples looking to elope to Scotland.
At this time of year the days tend to draw out nicely, with locations on the west coast offering stunning golden hours on clear, crisp days. Early spring also works well for couples looking to avoid the height of tourist season, which works especially well if you’re thinking of eloping to popular locations such as the Old Man of Stoor or The Quiraing on Skye.
June - August
Shooting in summer remains a popular option for couples who want to elope without the fear of freezing winds or snow hanging over their big day. At this time of year, expect tons of golden hour sunshine (on clear days, at least) and plenty of opportunities to take a dip in any of Scotland’s famous lochs.
Although summertime elopements offer the best daylight hours (up to 23 hours in places such as Shetland and the Isle of Lewis), the warmer weather does bring with it a number of potential issues.
The first is the presence of midges - small flies which tend to gather in large swarms - especially after a period of warm, moist weather. The second is tourists, many of whom gather in their hundreds across some of the more popular elopement destinations, including Skye, the Cairngorms and even Shetland.
Needless to say avoiding such issues is a must if you’re wanting your elopement to feel as romantic, unique and individual as possible. After all, nothing ruins a good day of filming like a cloud of midges hanging over an elopement ceremony. Avoiding tourists is easy enough too, so long as you’re willing to walk off-piste to those extra romantic spots.
September - November
Autumn is the second most popular time of year for couples eloping to Scotland. Like spring, this time of year lends itself well for couples looking to capture those gorgeous golden hour shots, while simultaneously avoiding both midges and tourists.
Both Scotland’s east and west coasts - offering sunrises and sunsets, respectively - are popular options between September and November, with areas such as Glencoe, Skye, Argyll and Bute and Fife ranking as some of my personal favourites.
For those choosing to elope in late October or early November, it’s worth remembering that snow is a distinct possibility - perfect for those looking for an extra-dramatic landscape in which to tie the knot in.
December - February
Winters in Scotland can be cold and harsh, that’s a given. But that’s not to say that winter elopements aren’t workable, far from it.
From snowy mountains to frozen lochs, the possibilities of capturing a film jam-packed with stunning landscapes are endless. This time of year works especially well for clients who aren’t afraid of getting cold, wet or even snowed on - so long as there’s a dram of whisky on offer at the end of the day.
Just remember, many elopement locations such as Skye, Shetland and Glencoe reside in the higher latitudes, meaning daylight hours are at a premium at this time of year, so you’ll likely need to plan a shorter day than most (typically between 3 to 5 hours).
Get in touch
Interested in learning more about eloping to Scotland but don’t know where to start? Drop me an email and I’ll be happy to offer any advice I can. Having worked all across Scotland over the past few years, there’s nothing I love more than helping couples plan their perfect day up north.