Skye Elopement Locations – Five of the Best

The Isle of Skye is beautiful and there are not many bad locations for an elopement. Here I take a look at five of the most popular Skye elopement locations and show why they are so great, and I let you know the draw backs too. The sites I have chosen all have reasonably easy access and are iconic in their own way. You don’t need to be especially fit or ‘outdoorsy’ to access them.

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle is a world famous fairy tale location and stars in many films. It’s one of the most photographed castles in Scotland and works its magic on visitors from all over the globe.The castle is not actually on the Isle of Skye, but is very close, and many people who marry there stay on the island. Don’t overlook it when you consider Skye elopement locations.

The castle is a one stop elopement location. It has amazing indoor space and incredible outdoor views. When you hire the castle you can decide on the day whether to marry in the courtyard overlooking the sea or move inside to the grand banqueting hall. It’s not so big that you feel that you are rattling about, but if your elopement gets out of hand (and sometimes they do!) there is room for guests too.

If you want somewhere grand with no hassle this could be the answer. You have the castle to yourselves for two hours in the evening throughout the summer. In the winter months there is more flexibility regarding the times for ceremonies to allow for the darker days. The lovely staff are happy to be your witnesses, and are there to help you. There is accommodation nearby and the local pub, The Clachan, offer amazing food for your dinner afterwards. They have their own self catering apartments, which are lovely and have great views of the castle for your stay. No matter what the weather has in store there are options.

The down side is that it’s not a cheap option, but it is pretty special. If the pennies allow you could marry there and then have photographs in the wilds of The Isle of Skye the next day, the best of both worlds. This has been a really popular option with many of my clients. As with many Skye elopement locations it can be very busy and you may draw a bit of a crowd but having exclusive use of the castle means that you can be sure that your ceremony will be private and uninterrupted.

The Quiraing

If you want the WOW factor then of all the Skye elopement locations this is it. The Quiraing sits at the north and of Skye on the Trotternish peninsula and the rocks have formed in columns making interesting shapes on the horizon, The Quiraing is high and so there are incredible views across the Trotternish ridge and out to sea.

The best light for the Quiriang is first thing in the morning, sunrise is epic there. The other advantage of being there early is that you will miss the crowds. After 10am you can be sure of many people to watch you marry! There is a spot lower down that is less busy for a ceremony and many couples take advantage of this spot before heading to the top for photos. Be warned, the last time I was there one of the bus tour companies had also found the ‘quiet spot’ and we had to wait for twenty uninvited guests to leave.

Many of the amazing wedding photos you will see are taken just a few yards from the car park. The terrain is not difficult there as the top is flat, but it can be muddy and the edges are treacherous, but that shouldn’t spoil the location. Sensible shoes are a must though. I love pictures there in the sunshine and also when there is a good breeze. Dresses flying in the wind look incredible and add real drama. Wild and romantic by the bucket load.

The downside of The Quiraing can be the crowds but mostly the weather. There is no shelter and if you don’t like wind or rain you will need a back up plan. It might also be so bad that you can’t actually see anything! Your dress, if it is long, will get muddy and if you are terrified of heights you may not get the pictures you want. Don’t let that out you off though. On most days it’s pretty special and one of the most dramatic Skye elopement locations.

Loch Coruisk and Elgol

This is probably my favourite of all the Isle of Skye elopement locations and I love nothing more than a boat trip! Loch Coruisk is a land locked loch on Skye and not easily accessed on foot (and certainly not in a wedding dress!). Regular boat trips leave each day from Elgol, which is a magical little village too, with the best view of the Cuillin, in my opinion. Misty Isle Boat Trips really look after you and you can either travel on a scheduled trip or charter a boat with them.

It takes about half an hour to reach the loch and then you take a short walk around to the loch itself. I highly recommend walking boots, not just because you have to get on and off a boat, but the track around to the loch is rocky. The rocks are not slippery but the path is far from even. The scenery is gorgeous right from when you arrive at Elgol and I recommend making time for some pictures there too.

You are limited in your time at Loch Coruisk by how long you hire the boat for or the schedule of trips. You could go mad and camp there over night of course, but watch out for the midges during the summer, and if the weather turns you may be there longer than you bargained for!

It is often a quiet option for a Skye elopement location. There are a limited number of boats in and out and so there will never be a large crowd.

The downsides are that if you suffer from sea sickness it’s probably not a great option. Chartering a boat is not as expensive as you may think, but it is a cost you must factor in. The boat may not run if the weather is bad. I think a good back up plan is to marry under Honeycomb rock at Elgol if this is the case. Elgol can be very windy but always looks amazing. The road to Elgol is one of the most beautiful drives on the island too.

There is a lovely boutique hotel that does fabulous food in Elgol called Coruisk House. Dinner there and maybe an overnight stay would be the perfect end to your day.

The Fairy Glen

The Fairy Glen is a small glen near Uig to the north of the Isle of Skye. It has strange shaped little hills caused by land slips lining the narrow road and at its heart is Castle Ewen, a tall rocky outcrop. It is almost a strange land all of its own.

The glen is not marked on many maps but is easy enough to find and there is now reasonable parking there which makes it easy to visit. There are lovely spots all through but the highlight is at the top, beside Castle Ewen. There is a large flat area, perfect for a ceremony and the hills are dotted by sheep. I love the Fairy Glen for a winter wedding. The glen is quiet but still beautiful.

As with most of the famous Skye elopement locations The Fairy Glen can be very busy. If you want to avoid the crowds arrange your ceremony for first thing in the morning or at around tea time. Large crowds tend to arrive and then disappear as there are lots of small tour buses that visit. Everyone wants to climb to the top of the castle and the paths are badly eroded and can be busy.

The top of the castle is vey exposed and has a narrow gap to get up to the top, but there is no need to get up there for an amazing spot for your elopement ceremony. The path up there has been widened and is quite steep but, with the right shoes, not a difficult climb. If the weather is bad there are sheltered spots at the bottom away from the wind and rain.

Sligachan Bridge

Half way up The Isle of Skye is the Old Road Bridge at Sligachan. It is on the main road to the north of the island beside the Sligachan Hotel. The bridge no longer carries traffic but is a stopping place for visitors. It has incredible views of the Cuillin and a large river running below. Just beside the bridge is Glamaig, a red Cuillin hill that hosts a famous annual race to the top.

The great thing about a ceremony here is that the hotel is just a few yards away and open for a celebration drink or dinner straight afterwards! Not far up stream are beautiful waterfalls that are really quiet and offer somewhere to vary your pictures or an even more dramatic location for your ceremony.

The only real downside to the bridge is that the wind and weather run down off the mountains and head straight for it and sometimes you can’t see the hills at all. The good news is that you can usually see the bad weather rolling in so can make haste if needs be! Apart from that it is a great Skye elopement location, especially for those who don’t want to walk far and like a firm footing.

If you would like more ideas take a look at my elopement guide here or get in touch. There are so many great Skye elopement locations that there is bound to be one that suits you. I have chosen some that require little physical effort for dramatic and romantic back drops, but there are plenty more!