A Glencoe elopement in the Scottish Highlands is always an unforgettable experience. Majestic mountains, dramatic valleys, and ever-changing skies create a landscape like no other. Sunny or moody, blue skies or mist, Glencoe has a magic that wraps itself around you. For couples who dream of something adventurous yet intimate, it’s the perfect backdrop for an elopement embraced by nature.
An Intimate Day in the Highlands
Ericka and Harrison travelled from the US with their closest family and friends to Scotland to celebrate their love in a way that felt true to them: simple, emotional, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. It was the kind of Glencoe elopement in the Scottish Highlands that feels raw, emotional and beautifully true to the couple.
Glencoe Elopement First Look and Portraits
They began their day with a quiet and emotional first look in a peaceful valley, with the wind gently whispering around them. Before the ceremony, we explored the glen together — embracing the rain, laughing, and adventuring through the rugged landscape. Their portraits among the mountains captured both their joy and the wild, untamed spirit of a Scottish Highlands elopement. Their day captured everything that makes a Glencoe elopement in the Scottish Highlands so special.
A Cosy Pause
When the rain finally soaked us through, we returned to their hotel, where they dried off and shared the little picnic they had originally planned to enjoy outdoors. It was a cosy, tender pause in the day — and a lovely reminder that elopements in Scotland are all about doing things your own way.
An Emotional Elopement Ceremony
Once warm again, it was time for their ceremony. Their wonderful celebrant, Hazel Jane, led a heartfelt service — a simple yet powerful celebration of true love between two beautiful souls. Ericka and Harrison chose to exchange personal vows, and included Celtic traditions like handfasting and an oathing stone, which made the ceremony deeply symbolic and uniquely theirs. Afterwards, they raised a glass and enjoyed a relaxed dinner with their friends and family — the perfect ending to such a meaningful day.
Why Choose a Glencoe Elopement?
A Glencoe elopement in the Scottish Highlands combines dramatic scenery with an intimate, meaningful experience. With dramatic mountain views, hidden valleys, reflective lochs, and cinematic landscapes everywhere you turn, Glencoe offers the perfect balance of wild beauty and intimate moments.
It’s also just a couple of hours from Edinburgh or Glasgow, making it ideal for destination elopements and couples travelling from overseas. Whether you imagine a quiet vow exchange in the mountains or portraits beside a moody loch, Glencoe weddings and elopements offer endless possibilities.
Best Time for a Glencoe Elopement
Glencoe is beautiful all year round, but each season brings its own personality.
September to March – fewer midges & moody, dramatic beauty
From autumn through early spring, the glen feels atmospheric, peaceful, and incredibly cinematic.
- Fewer midges
- Stunning colour shifts
- Misty, romantic light
- The chance of snow-dusted peaks in winter
Winter – short days & snow-kissed mountains
Winter brings short daylight hours but some of the most magical conditions:
- soft, low sunlight
- muted colour palettes
- snowy peaks
- cosy, romantic vibes
Spring – fresh colours & crisp air
April and May bring longer days, a bright landscape, and fresh green tones. Snow often still clings to the mountains, adding breathtaking contrast.
Summer – long daylight & vibrant colours
Summer in Glencoe is warm, colourful, and bright.
Sunny Glencoe looks completely different from moody Glencoe — both gorgeous in their own ways. Midges can appear, but choosing breezy locations, cooler times of day, and a bit of repellent makes them manageable.
My honest advice
There is truly no wrong time to elope in Glencoe — it simply depends on the mood you love:
- Moody & atmospheric: Sept–March
- Snowy & cinematic: winter
- Fresh & colourful: spring
- Bright & vibrant: summer
No matter the season, a Glencoe elopement in the Scottish Highlands offers a landscape that feels both wild and deeply romantic.
How to Make the Most of Your Glencoe Elopement
Stay close to your locations
Kingshouse Hotel, Glencoe House, Glencoe Village, and local Airbnbs all make perfect bases.
Keep your timeline flexible
The Highlands change quickly — a relaxed structure allows you to enjoy the day without pressure.
Embrace the weather
If there’s one thing I love most about Glencoe, it’s how beautifully it wears a moody sky.
A little rain, drifting mist, a soft breeze — these are the moments where Glencoe feels like Glencoe. The colours deepen, the mountains look even more dramatic, and the whole landscape becomes wild and cinematic.
Bright sunshine can be lovely, but it rarely gives the same emotion or atmosphere.
The truth is: the moodier the weather, the more magical (and photogenic) your elopement becomes.
Work With Someone Familiar With the Area
I’m not a local Glencoe resident, but as a Glencoe elopement photographer I photograph here regularly and know the glen well enough to guide couples gently through their day. Whether it’s picking a quieter viewpoint or keeping an eye on how the light shifts, I’m always there to help the experience feel effortless and relaxed.
FAQs About Eloping in Glencoe
Do we need permits to elope in Glencoe?
Most outdoor ceremonies don’t require permits in Scotland. A few car parks or drone-use areas have rules — I guide couples through everything.
What is the best time of year for a Glencoe elopement?
For moody, atmospheric days: autumn to early spring.
For bright landscapes and long days: summer.
What if it rains?
We’ll plan a main location and a close-by backup. In Scotland, weather is part of the experience — and it always photographs beautifully.
Can we bring guests or a dog?
Absolutely! Glencoe works beautifully for intimate weddings with guests, and many outdoor spots are dog-friendly.
How long do we need for photography?
Most couples choose 4–6 hours to explore a couple of locations with an easy, relaxed flow.
Kind Words from Ericka & Harrison
If you are looking for a photographer that can capture true and raw emotion on your special day look no further than Aga (Mint & Jasmine). My husband and I wanted to elope/have a small wedding in Scotland. We have never been there before and so we went site unseen. So when we found Aga and she knew where to take beautiful photos, we knew she was the photographer for us. She puts her heart and soul into every shoot that she does. She had multiple locations for us to choose from. Was more than accommodating when we wanted to do a first look. And she was even down to go very close to the waterfall in the rain. She took amazing photos of our ceremony. And captured every moment of the day exactly how my husband and I felt. I cannot recommend her enough.
Planning Your Own Glencoe Elopement
Elopements here are always unique — shaped by the weather, the light, and the couple’s energy. That’s what makes them so magical.
Whether you imagine wandering through the glen together, exchanging vows on a quiet mountain path, or embracing the beautiful moody weather Glencoe is famous for, your day can look and feel exactly the way you want it to.
I’m always happy to help with location ideas, timelines, weather guidance and accessibility considerations — so the planning feels relaxed and the experience stays true to you both.
What Makes Glencoe Such a Special Place to Elope?
There’s something about this landscape — the scale, the quiet, the shifting skies — that brings everything back to what matters most: the two of you, completely present, surrounded by wild Scottish beauty.
Looking for more inspiration? Here’s a romantic Glencoe pre-wedding photoshoot we photographed in the Scottish Highlands.
Explore more Scotland elopements here.
Dreaming of your own Glencoe elopement?
I help couples from around the world plan relaxed, emotional elopements surrounded by Scotland’s wild beauty.
Let’s start planning your adventure — get in touch.
