We have been lucky enough to collaborate with amazing Scottish wedding and elopement photographers The Caryls on this blog to bring you all you need to know about getting married on the stunning Isle of Skye. The Caryls have lots of experience on Skye and know exactly how to get the perfect shots that convey the beauty and atmosphere of one of Scotland’s most dramatic destinations which is why we thought they would be absolutely perfect writers for this post!

The Isle of Skye lies off the north west coast of Scotland. Its imposing mountains have drawn keen climbers for years. But with the opening of the Skye Bridge, this breath-taking corner of Scotland has opened up to a wider selection of visitors who often come here as part of a road trip along Scotland’s North Coast 500 route. If you love nature, are prepared to embrace the elements, and love the idea of a wildly romantic backdrop to your elopement wedding day, then the Isle of Skye could be the perfect elopement location for you!

Isle of Skye Ceremony Locations

The Isle of Skye offers a variety of stunning elopement locations, some with dramatic mountain backdrops, some in peaceful loch-side settings, some on secluded beaches. Here are a few of our favourites;

The Quiraing

If you have searched for the Isle of Skye on Google or Instagram, the chances are you will have come across jaw-dropping images of The Quiraing. Its rugged beauty is one of the most instantly recognisable features of Skye. It’s worth noting that this is a popular spot. It’s worth discussing with your photographer the best position on the mountain to keep your ceremony personal, private and away from the crowds. Rather than using the carpark at the top of the Quiraing (which can get very busy) we would recommend either walking-in over the hill from Flodigarry or leaving your car at the bottom and making the short hike to the top. This will allow you to bypass other visitors and have a more peaceful ceremony.

The Fairy Glen

About a 15 minute drive from The Quiraing lies The Fairy Glen. Every bit as magical as it sounds, this green and leafy nook features undulating hillocks around a shimmering lochan. You may well be joined by some curious sheep! This location can be quite popular during the middle of the day, so we would suggest opting for a morning or late afternoon ceremony. Do check sunrise and sunset timings on your date as these vary greatly in Scotland throughout the year. The route leading up to The Fairy Glen is a narrow, single-track road with limited passing places. You might want to travel with your photographer – as they will know the road, and be used to navigating it. This also keeps vehicle numbers down – as parking places within The Fairy Glen are very limited.

Loch Coruisk

Loch Coruisk has to be one of our favourite locations on Skye for an elopement wedding ceremony. The combination of imposing mountains reflected in the quiet loch is really spectacular. Loch Coruisk is only accessible by a strenuous 2-3 hour hike around the headland, or by the ferry boats that depart several times a day from Elgol. This means that visitor numbers are limited – and you will usually have the place pretty much to yourself. It’s worth noting that the ferry only runs between April-October, and that in certain weather conditions, it is unable to sail. Should this be the case, the cliffs just above Elgol make a very scenic alternative. Watching the sunset over the mountains here has to be one the most romantic and special ways to end an elopement wedding day - pack a picnic, your tipple of choice and a blanket and settle down to watch the sun slip behind the sea and bathe the sky in a breath-taking array of colours.

Torrin Beach

Torrin is a small hamlet in the south of Skye that has a secluded little sandy beach at NG577199 which is a bit of a hidden gem. Even in the height of summer there are rarely many other visitors and the views looking back towards the Cullins are spectacular. To get to the beach requires a bit of a walk from Torrin itself. Head down the narrow road that runs Southwards from the cattle grid at NG580206. When you reach the end of the road you will pick up a rough path through the trees and bushes that will take you right to the sand.

Glen Brittle & The Fairy Pools

The Fairy Pools are another iconic natural wonder on the Isle of Skye. This series of small, cascading waterfalls tumbling down the mountainside into glassy-clear pools are a sight to behold! As with the Quiraing, it’s a popular spot – so discuss options with your photographer. Most tourists only visit the area within a short walking distance from the carpark. If you are prepared to put on your hiking boots and walk further up the mountainside, you are likely to have the place to yourself (and it’s the pools at the top that are the most impressive and beautiful). Alternatively, in high summer the sun rises at 4.30am on Skye and doesn’t set until 10pm. So why not plan a romantic sunrise or sunset elopement ceremony – when you will get amazing light and have this incredible location to yourselves! For couples wanting a ceremony location that’s a little more off the beaten track, head further into the heart of Glen Brittle. You will find some beautiful, quiet locations surrounded by heather-clad mountains.

Which season should we have our Isle of Skye elopement wedding?

As with the whole of Scotland, the weather on Skye is both unpredictable and very changeable! So even in summer, there is no guarantee what the weather will be like on your day. We would always advise couples to come prepared for all eventualities!

As a rule-of-thumb, the winter months (December-March) will be quite cold, often wet and between December and February, you’re likely to get snow on the hills – which is really pretty. Skye gets beautiful, low light during the winter months and the days are short. So, visually, it’s one of the nicest times of the year to shoot elopements – as you aren’t waiting all night for sunset! Just remember to wrap-up warm.

Spring (April-May) are usually the sunniest, driest months on Skye. You frequently get warm, clear days and bright blue skies. It’s a great time to visit the island as it’s less busy than during the Summer months and the midges have not yet descended. However, if you have fallen in love with the misty, moody drama of some of the images that you have seen of Skye online, you are least likely to get these conditions in April-May. If this is what you are envisaging as the backdrop to your elopement day, we’d suggest waiting until later in the year.

Summer (June-August) brings longer days and warmer nights. From late mid-July into September, the heather that clings to the mountainsides is in full bloom – covering them in a cloak of deep purple, which is absolutely stunning! Summers in Scotland, though warm, are often wet – so definitely pack your waterproofs! Summer is perhaps one of the most variable seasons on Skye. We’ve shot elopements in glorious, bright sunshine…and encountered driving rain and gales (often in the same day!)

Autumn (September-November) brings longer nights and a slight chill in the air. The landscape takes on rich oranges and browns and mists hover over the mountains and lochs in the mornings. It’s a really atmospheric time of year on Skye.

Ultimately, the unpredictability of the weather is what gives the landscape of Skye it’s character and drama. The good news is that weather fronts tend to blow-through quite quickly, so if you wait an hour or so, the chances are that a rain shower will have blown over. It’s worth bearing this in mind when planning photography coverage for your day: booking a full day allows for much more flexibility, and gives you space within your day to work around whatever the weather throws at you! Most celebrants are happy to do this, and most photographers are, too.

What should we pack for our Isle of Skye elopement?

1) Waterproofs

Waterproofs are essential for an outdoor elopement on the Isle of Skye. Waterproof ponchos (the sort that you might wear to a music festival) are great – as these can be thrown-on quickly over your wedding clothes.

2) Sensible shoes

We strongly advise against wearing open-toed sandals or shoes with a high-heel for an elopement on Skye. The ground underfoot is likely to be wet, muddy and uneven. Walking boots or lace-up brogues are ideal. You can always wear these ‘en route’ to your ceremony location, then slip into something more glamorous for your ceremony itself if you wish.

3) Layers

Wearing layers will hugely increase your warmth and also your enjoyment of your day. Wearing white or cream woollen tights or leggings underneath your dress is a great idea. Having a pretty woollen jumper, shawl or ‘faux fur’ coat ready to throw on if you feel chilly is ideal. Some white or cream fingerless gloves are a great help, too.

4) Hand-warmers

It’s a good idea to pack a few thermal handwarmers in your bag – the ones that heat-up when you squeeze them. These can be tucked inside your pockets, boots or gloves – and will be very welcome if the weather is cool.

5) Water & snacks

It can take a while to travel around on Skye (the roads are narrow and often single-track) so it takes a while to get from A to B and exploring the mountains and glens can be hungry work – especially in the winter when the weather is cold. Having water, a flask of coffee or tea and some healthy snacks on hand is always a good idea. Fruit and nut mix, cereal bars and bananas are all great for keeping your energy levels during on your elopement day.

6) A good book and a pack of cards

The nights are long on Skye during the Autumn and Winter months. It’s a great opportunity to switch-off, have a digital detox and snuggle-up by the fire with your love. Plan ahead for how you will spend your evenings. Perhaps you might enjoy reading your favourite books to each other by the fire. Or have that epic scrabble tournament that you’ve always been threatening each other with!

7) An adventurous spirit and a positive mindset!

An Isle of Skye elopement will always be an adventure! We find that the couples who get the most out of an elopement wedding on Skye are adventurous, nature-loving types who are open to embracing the elements and whatever the weather throws at them with joy and laughter. If you are planning an adventurous life together, this is the perfect way to mark the start of the journey that you are about to embark on together. If you are the sort of people who love the idea of windswept hair, muddy boots and throwing yourselves into your elopement wedding day with wild abandon, an Isle of Skye elopement is definitely for you!

Isle of Skye Weddings Guide