About the author:
We’re Katy and Jim, the internationally award-winning husband-and-wife team behind The Caryls Photography. Based in Perthshire on the edge of the Scottish Highlands, we’ve worked with nearly 300 couples since 2017, planning and documenting elopements and intimate weddings across Scotland, from Glencoe and Skye to Torridon, The Cairngorms, and The Borders, as well as in Italy and France. Our cinematic, fine-art imagery blends Scotland’s epic landscapes with heartfelt storytelling to create timeless, deeply personal photographs.
ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PLANNING GUIDE (UPDATED FOR 2026–2027)
Are you dreaming of an Isle of Skye elopement in Scotland? Or are you currently in the process of planning your romantic Isle of Skye elopement wedding? That’s awesome! We truly believe that an elopement wedding is one of the most unique and special ways to celebrate your love and to set the tone for the adventurous life that you plan to lead together.
The Caryls Photography is an internationally award-winning Scotland and Isle of Skye elopement photographer team. We have been capturing elopement love stories throughout Scotland, Europe and USA since 2017. So we can put our hands on our hearts when we say that in choosing to elope on the Isle of Skye, you have chosen one of THE most romantic places in the world for a destination elopement. The Isle of Skye is the perfect location for adventurous, nature-loving couples who love the great outdoors, mountains (and amazing food!) to choose for their destination wedding.
ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER, WEDDING PLANNER & GUIDE
Hey! We’re Katy & Jim. We’re husband and wife, and we work together as a Scotland elopement photographer and elopement planning team. Over the years, we’ve grown to know the Isle of Skye like the back of our hand. Jim’s family are MacKenzie’s hailing from the North of Scotland and he’s been exploring the Isle of Skye since he was a little boy with his family, when that meant taking a ferry and singing the Skye Boat. As Scotland elopement photographers, we documented our first Isle of Skye elopement back in 2018. Since then, we’ve been photographing Isle of Skye elopements an average of once a month (and, in some months, many more!)
During this long relationship (you could call it a love affair) with the Isle of Skye, we’ve become very well-acquainted with the island’s ever-changing moods and seasons. But as we’re based in Perthshire (a beautiful rural part of Scotland, 1.5 hours north of Edinburgh) and we photograph elopements all over Scotland (and beyond!) we feel that we’re really well-placed to offer some deeply knowledgeable (but also completely impartial) advice to couples wanting to know more about planning an awesome Isle of Skye elopement.
We’d love to share our deep knowledge of the Isle of Skye with you, and give you all the support and guidance that you need to plan an amazing Isle of Skye elopement adventure! Keen to know more? Then read-on.
WHAT YOU WILL GET FROM THIS ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PLANNING GUIDE:
In this guide, we will give you:
1) The low-down on some of the Best Isle of Skye Elopement Locations
2) Practical advice on the logistics of planning a relaxed and fun elopement on the Isle of Skye (including how to navigate the legal paperwork).
3) Completely open and honest advice about eloping on the Isle of Skye: when are the best months to visit Skye and which months to avoid, if you want to have the best possible experience during your trip.
Spoiler-alert: Skye now sees 800,000 to 1 million visitors per year (and it’s a small place!). So you definitely want to avoid the ‘peak season’ months, as things can get a little crazy! We will be going into this in a lot more detail over the course of this guide.
4) Recommendations for romantic elopement accommodation options and some top-notch insider-knowledge foodie recommendations, too!
We’re here to make your life easy. So grab a cup of coffee, a notebook and pen. Your Isle of Skye elopement planning journey starts here!
WELCOME TO THE ISLE OF SKYE!
The landscape of the Isle of Skye is unlike anywhere else in Scotland. The moment that you cross the Skye Bridge, you feel like you are stepping into another world. Skye is a rugged, wildly romantic and utterly otherworldly place; the weather here changes quickly, mists cling to the mountains and fog rolls-in from across the sea. This is the land of Gaelic epic poets and Celtic myths and legends.
While the landscape of the Isle of Skye makes it feel remote and wild, there is a thriving local community here. There are excellent amenities (cafes, accommodation etc) and the restaurants serve food to an extremely high standard. It’s really up there with the very best in Scotland!
An Isle of Skye elopement has the benefit of feeling completely away-from-it all, whilst also allowing you to enjoy incredible, award-winning restaurants, a lively cafe culture, cosy pubs where live Scottish folk music plays late into the night and you can get a genuine taste of Scottish culture.
THE 100% HONEST ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT GUIDE
We’re not here to give you the ‘tourist board’ (everything is perfect) version of the Isle of Skye. We’re here to share our knowledge in order to set you up for success, in terms of planning an awesome trip, as well as having a beautiful and romantic elopement experience.
We will also highlight some potential pit-falls to avoid, both in terms of planning your trip and in the organisation of your elopement wedding day itself. Having photographed over 300 elopements (and counting!) we got a really good sense of what works well, and what works less-well, in terms of the organisation and timings of your day.
Keen to get help with your Isle of Skye elopement adventure?
SUMMER VISITOR NUMBERS ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
The main thing to be aware of is that the Isle of Skye has seen a massive increase in tourism and tourist numbers over the last 5 years. The Isle of Skye now receives between 800,000 and 1 million visitors each year (for context the permanent local population of Skye is around 13,000 people). The vast majority of visitors to Skye arrive between mid-May and late September. The result is that the Isle of Skye is extremely busy during the summer months: the scenic attractions are very crowded and the roads are extremely congested.
If you come to Skye during the summer months, you will find yourselves joining hundreds (possibly thousands) of other tourists at all of the famous locations. You will also be contending with roads jam-packed with tour buses and campervans as you try to navigate the narrow, winding roads around the island that are often single-track. Things can get pretty hectic.
Just as an example, the image above shows the parking area for The Storr (a famous hike on the Isle of Skye) during the summer. Last year, 300,000 people visited this location. This is just a small fraction of the entire parking area, but as you can see, it’s pretty busy! We feel that if you come to the Isle of Skye during the summer months, it’s very likely that it will not be the peaceful, away-from-it-all, wild and remote experience that you’re probably envisaging.
You can read more about the challenges of tourism on the Isle of Skye during the summer months in these articles below:
Editorial: Negotiating a tricky road over tourism in the Isle of Skye, West Highland Free Press, 4th Sept 2024
Isle of Skye’s Fairy Pools Overwhelmed: Can new tourism and infrastructure coexist in Glen Brittle? Travel & Tour World, 2nd Sept 2024
(Note: the image at the top of the above article is not real—the pools are some distance from the road and don’t look like this!)
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE ISLE OF SKYE?
If you have fallen in love with the Isle of Skye and picture yourselves having a romantic elopement wedding on the island, then we would recommend avoiding Jun–September, and opting for a date between October and early-May instead.
The Isle of Skye is much more peaceful at this time of year and you will be able to enjoy the majesty of Skye’s incredible landscape, without having to navigate next-level crowds. The quietest months on the Isle of Skye are November through to April, with May and October being ‘shoulder season’. Visitor numbers ramp-up over the course of May, with the beginning of the month being much quieter than the end of May.
THE BEST OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK LOCATIONS FOR A SUMMER ELOPEMENT IN SCOTLAND
Alternatively, if you’re looking to elope in Scotland between June and September, you might like to check out our list of the Best Places To Elope In Scotland for some less-busy and more off-the-beaten track elopement options. These places are just as stunning and mountainous as Skye, but they are much quieter than Skye during the busy summer months. You can always visit the Isle of Skye afterwards, as part of your honeymoon, if you really want to experience it, too.
WHERE TO ELOPE ON THE ISLE OF SKYE?
The 5 Best Isle of Skye Elopement Locations
For nature-loving couples who enjoy nothing more than being in the great outdoors, the Isle of Skye has so many really epic spots to choose for an elopement ceremony. Whether you’re drawn to the mountains, to castles, cliffs or the sea, the Isle of Skye has the perfect ceremony setting for you…
Remember that over the course of your elopement wedding day, you can explore several different locations. So you don’t need to be limited to just one… you can weave a variety of epic views into the story of your elopement wedding day… and into your photos, too!
1. THE QUIRAING: The perfect location for a mountain elopement wedding in Scotland (that doesn’t require too much of a hike!)
The Quiraing is about 40 minutes drive from Portree (one of the central settlements on the Isle of Skye, and one that’s well-served with amenities). Adventurous couples can embark on the hike up to the Quiraing (which takes roughly 2 hours for a full circuit – depending on your pace). If you are fit and energetic, it’s a spectacular walk! For couples who are a little less adventurous, or who want to include older parents or grandparents in their ceremony, you can drive up the single-tracked Uig road from near Staffin to a pass through the Trotternish. From here, it’s a short walk to the much-photographed ridge.
In summer, the Quiraing is extremely popular with tourists (think 100-200+ cars parked in the carpark at the top). So it’s worth noting that there will be a lot of people around, unless you are willing to get up early and have your ceremony before about 8 am.
Alternatively, we have found some more secluded spots with spectacular views about 20 mins walk from the car park where you are unlikely to be disturbed. The Quiraing is certainly one of the most iconic and epic backdrops that you could dream of for an outdoor elopement wedding ceremony!
The Quiraing is about 20 mins drive from The Fairy Glen (see No. 2 below) so it’s totally do-able to capture some epic images at both locations if you would like to.
2. THE FAIRY GLEN: The best Isle of Skye elopement location for lovers of folklore and mysticism.
The Fairy Glen, just above the village of Uig, is as enchanting and otherworldly as its name suggests. It’s luscious, green and verdant with softly rolling hills and still pools. Compared to the rugged drama of the rest of the island, the Fairy Glen feels altogether softer and more gentle.
It’s worth noting that, due to the volume of tourists, the landscape around the famous Fairy Glen view has started to become corroded. To aid conservation, the area around the centre of The Fairy Glen has been roped-off. This slightly detracts from its original magical atmosphere, so we felt that this should be mentioned if you’re considering using this famous view as your ceremony spot. Like the Quiraing, The Fairy Glen is very popular with tourists. So we would recommend arriving early (before 8 am) if you want to have the place to yourselves.
The Fairy Glen is about 20 mins drive from the Quiraing (see No.1), so it’s totally do-able to capture some photos at both locations, if you would like.
3. LOCH CORUISK: Best mountain & lake elopement wedding location on the Isle of Skye
Loch Coruisk is a stunning, secluded location: a loch surrounded by mountains. It feels both inspiring & majestic and peaceful & protected all at the same time. It’s either a 7 km (3–4 hour) walk along the coast from the village of Elgol, or considerably longer walks from Kirkibost on the Elgol road or from Sligachan. https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/lochcoruisk.shtml
Alternatively, you can take one of the characterful wooden ferry boats that run several times a day from Elgol between April–October by Misty Isle Boats. It’s also possible to charter your own private boat for greater flexibility in timings, making it extra romantic and special. But either way the boat trip offers great camaraderie, with excellent stories from the skipper.
The scenic boat journey to Loch Coruisk adds to the fun and the sense of adventure. In addition to spectacular views of the Cuillin, you are likely to catch glimpses of a great variety of seabirds—oyster catchers, golden eagles, puffins and occasional sea eagles.
You might also spot basking sharks, minky whales, dolphins and porpoises sometimes following playfully along by the boat.
It’s worth noting that the ferry boat to Loch Coruisk is weather dependent. If the wind is particularly strong, the boats are unable to sail. Should this be the case we have some pretty stunning Plan B options in and around Elgol at the ready. So, whatever the weather, you will always be able to get married in a spectacular setting, we promise you won’t be disappointed!
DO YOU LOVE THE IDEA OF A LOCH CORUISK ELOPEMENT?
4. THE CUILLIN & THE OLD MAN OF STORR: Best for adventurous, hiking mountain elopement weddings on the Isle of Skye
Best Isle of Skye elopement locations for mountaineers or couples who want an adventurous wedding would definitely be the Cuillin mountain range or The Storr. The Cuillin was where the British mountaineers who first scaled Mount Everest came to train for their trip (due to their level of technical difficulty), and still do!
These locations offer both easier approaches as well as more challenging routes for committed adventures. We often find that it’s not necessary to be at the summit of a peak to get the most dramatic views. Frequently, it’s the passes between hills that offer the most unique and peaceful locations. . . and the most stunning backdrops.
We are big mountain-lovers and we enjoy nothing more than a hike to your ceremony location. Whatever the weather, we’re always up for adventuring! We know that the Scottish mountains can be an unpredictable environment, so we always carry a huge rucksack full of safety equipment (from bothy bags to dry robes, from hand-warmers to a ton of snacks!) We’re very used to dealing with the ever-changing Scottish weather conditions. We know how to read them, and how to predict in advance what’s going to make for the best experience for you on your wedding day.
As with the rest of the Isle of Skye, The Storr is a busy location during the summer months. It’s reported that The Storr received around 300,000 visitors last year. So, it’s definitely one that’s best for the off-season months (November–April).
5. HIDDEN LOCATIONS & SECRET SPOTS – For those who want to say ‘I do’ away from the crowds…
A good way to get a sense of how popular/ busy a location will be is to check it out on Instagram. If it’s been tagged in hundreds or thousands of images, then it’s safe to say that it’s going to be busy, and it’s probably not going to make for a peaceful and private ceremony location! Whereas, if only a handful of images come-up when you search for a location, then it’s a sign that it would make for a peaceful place to exchange your vows without a bus-load of tourists looking-on!
We love nothing more than a location-finding challenge and we never tag cool secret places on social media, because we want to them to stay unspoilt and beautiful! We are always very happy to recce a super-romantic Isle of Skye wedding ceremony location (one that hasn’t appeared on tons of other instagram photography feeds!) just for you…
We’ve tracked-down some really beautiful, out of the way ceremony spots that allow you to get married in front of an epic view whilst also avoiding the crowds. Keen to know more? Feel free to get in touch!
BEST ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT ACCOMMODATION
One of the things that we love about Skye is that while it’s wild and remote, it also has some really amazing hotels and restaurants. It’s your wedding day, so you’re going to want to make it really special, right?!
There are so many amazing places to stay on Skye. However, finding the right place to fit in with your wedding plans can be challenging if you are not familiar with the island and how long it takes to get from one place to the next. We’re here to help you with that! We’d like to share our local knowledge and recommend some hotels that we think are really stunning – and will make really romantic accommodation options for your Isle of Skye elopement adventure!
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT ACCOMMODATION
1) It’s worth keeping in mind that the Isle of Skye is quite a large island, and that a lot of the roads to the wild places are narrow, winding and single-track, so it takes a while to get around. Make sure that the accommodation you are booking is well-placed—less than 60 mins drive—from your elopement ceremony location.
Coruisk House (below) Good for Loch Coruisk elopements
Boutique hotel (only 4 rooms, sleeps 8) in the tiny, remote hamlet of Elgol. It’s perfect for couples wanting to get away from it all. It’s quiet and cosy, with amazing locally sourced food. It’s just a 5min drive down to Elgol Pier, where the boat for Loch Coruisk departs. So super-convenient for a Loch Coruisk wedding.
Kinloch Lodge (below) – Good for Loch Coruisk and Cuillin elopements
Classy, characterful and situated in a stunning loch-side on the Sleat Peninsula, Kinloch Lodge offers complete luxury, tranquility and amazing locally sourced food! Absolutely perfect for a couple planning their intimate wedding or elopement on Skye. It’s 40mins drive to Elgol (where the boat for Loch Coruisk departs) so it’s a good accommodation if you have chosen Loch Coruisk as your elopement ceremony location.
The Three Chimneys (below) – Good for Cuillin and Dunvegan elopements
Award-winning restaurant with rooms renowned for its excellent Scottish food. It’s situated in a quiet, off-the-beaten-track corner of northern Skye. It’s a cute and cosy place to stay with very friendly staff. This is a real get-away-from-it-all spot!Best Self-Catering & Airbnb accommodation on the Isle of Skye for an elopement wedding
The Black House (Good for The Quiraing, The Storr & The Fairy Glen elopements)
Two cottages with stunning views over the Cuillin Mountain Range. Large glass windows invite the outside in, immersing you in the wonderful surrounding scenery and wildlife.
The Crofter’s House (Good for The Quiraing, Fairy Glen, The Old Man of Storr and Cuillin elopements)
An original 1830’s crofter’s cottage that has been completely renovated to provide a calm and peaceful retreat in the surrounding rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Situated beside Camustianavaig Bay on the Isle of Skye, the house enjoys a rural location, yet is only five miles from Portree. The space is decorated in a soft minimal style and offers a tranquil Highland hideaway for up to two people.
Harlosh Black H (Good for Coral Beach elopements)
On the Isle of Skye’s rugged and beautiful west coast, Harlosh Black was designed to embrace the landscape, so you can immerse yourself in both. This cosy hideaway for two is private, contemporary and luxurious.
** We keep our absolute favourite Isle of Skye elopement accommodation to share exclusively with our elopement couples.**
If you would like to be one of them…
THE LEGAL ESSENTIALS FOR MARRIAGE IN SCOTLAND
Did you know that you can legally get married anywhere you like on the Isle of Skye, as long as your ceremony is conducted by a registered celebrant?
Choosing the right celebrant is really important because their personality and approach will inform the atmosphere of your elopement wedding ceremony. So you will want to find a celebrant that you connect with on a personal level. Most celebrants appreciate that you will probably want to speak to a couple of different celebrants before making your decision, to see who you click with.
The Humanist Association of Scotland has a list of approved celebrants, but if you would like some personal recommendations, we can connect you with celebrants who we work with regularly, and who we know will bring a lovely warmth and wisdom to your ceremony. Even if you’re planning a symbolic ceremony, we still highly recommend you use a celebrant, as they will bring a real sense of occasion to your ceremony, as well as structuring and pacing it with intention.
In terms of logistics, you and your partner will each need to give notice to the local Registry Office (also known as a Registration Office) for the area where you intend to marry.
If you are planning to elope on the Isle of Skye, then you need to submit your paperwork to the Portree Registry Office.
**It’s important to note that can submit your paperwork from 3 months in advance of your date (and no earlier) and the latest that you can submit your paperwork is 29 days before the date of your wedding.**
You submit your paperwork electronically, but you will need to make an appointment to pick-up your marriage schedule (the one that you will sign on the day of your wedding) from the Portree Registry Office in person. The office is open Monday–Friday 9.30am–12.30pm. So you should factor this in when planning your trip and make sure that your arrival date on the Isle of Skye gives you enough time to collect your marriage paperwork in advance of your ceremony.
For couples travelling to the Isle of Skye from abroad to get married, you will also need a Marriage Visitor Visa (which is essentially a travel document) which you will apply for back home. The precise details of this vary from country to country, so research what the specifics are where you live.
We’ve included a lot of info about How To Get Married In Scotland from the USA and Canada (including a step-by-step guide to navigating the legal paperwork) in our How To Elope In Scotland Guide.
REAL LIFE ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT WEDDING DAYS
Are you curious to see what a real life Isle of Skye elopement wedding day looks like? Check out these three Isle of Skye elopements:
JJ & Tom: travelled from the USA and UK for an Isle of Skye elopement in November
Zanthe & Mark: travelled from the USA for an Isle of Skye elopement in December
Alexis & Rachel: travelled from the USA for an Isle of Skye elopement in October
The Isle of Skye has many different moods. Whatever month you choose for your elopement, it’s always the luck of the draw what the weather will be like on your day. You could honestly get anything! Both of the elopements above were in November. As you can see, they couldn’t be two more different days.
INTERESTED IN HAVING US AS YOUR ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER?
When choosing which Isle of Skye elopement photographer to capture your special day, it’s always worth asking to see examples of both sunny day and moody day elopements.
Typically, sunny days are harder to edit. So you will want to know that your photographer can handle sunny day conditions, as well as moody day ones, so that you can feel confident that you will get awesome images – whatever the weather is like on your day…
WANT TO CHAT ABOUT YOUR ELOPEMENT IDEAS?
ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENTS MONTH-BY-MONTH
We’re often asked which is the best month to visit the Isle of Skye, or which is the best time of year for an Isle of Skye elopement? So we thought that we’d take a moment to talk you through how the Isle of Skye changes through the seasons, with example images from elopements at different times of year… along with what to expect weather-wise from each season
WINTER ELOPEMENTS ON THE ISLE OF SKYE (December–March)
We would class December to March as winter months on the Isle of Skye. Winter months are typically cooler. In December, the average temperature is between 2-7°C (38.5–44.6°F) rising to 3-9°C (37.4–48.2°F) in March. The daylight hours are also shorter with sunset in December being around 15.30, moving to around 18.30 in March.
Due to its coastal position, it’s quite rare for it to snow on the Isle of Skye, or at least for snow to settle on the roads in a way that interferes with travel. However, you often get snow falling on the mountains in winter, which creates a really magical atmosphere.
The cooler temperatures and shorter days might make you think that winter is not a good month to elope on the Isle of Skye. But actually, it’s one of our favourite times of year on the island!
Why? Well, firstly, because the Isle of Skye is at its quietest in the winter. This means that you are getting to experience the beauty and majesty of the island as it was before it gained its massive international instagram fame.
Winter being a less-popular time of year to visit also means that getting around the Isle of Skye’s narrow, winding roads is much quicker and easier than when they’re clogged-up with hundreds of camper vans and motorhomes in summer. There will also be much fewer tourists at all of Skye’s main attractions.
Winter is also a less-common time to elope on the Isle of Skye, which means that you are much less likely to bump into another eloping couple! Winter is also a great month to choose if you are after those misty, moody, atmospheric ‘Outlander-vibe’ photos, as there’s a high likelihood of getting this sort of look during the winter months.
We actually love the shorter days in winter, too. The light is low in the sky, and is soft and very atmospheric for photos. It also means that you don’t have to wait super-late into the evening for sunset photos, as you do in summer (where sunset is around 22.30!) You can do a gorgeous sunset shoot, and then head off for a romantic dinner, or cosy-up in front of the fire with your favourite drink, books and boardgames…
Some of Skye’s more tourist-driven cafes and restaurants close for the winter months. However, a lot of them remain open throughout the year, to cater for the local community. Alternatively, there is the option of booking a private chef to whip-up a delicious meal for you both in your Airbnb. We can offer some really awesome private chef recommendations…
PLANNING A WINTER ELOPEMENT ON THE ISLE OF SKYE?
SPRING ELOPEMENTS ON THE ISLE OF SKYE (April–May)
April and early-May are both really beautiful months to visit the Isle of Skye. Spring begins to creep-in at the beginning of April, and throughout the month the landscape starts to wake-up from its winter sleep. The air is fresh, the weather starts to get warmer (an average of 4–11°C (39.2–51.8°F) in April and 6-14°C (42.8–57.2°F in May). There is noticeably more sunshine in April and May compared to March, but the sun is still relatively low in the sky, so the light is atmospheric and interesting.
April is still a quiet month on the Isle of Skye, in terms of tourists. All of the more touristy-driven cafes and restaurants that close for the winter months reopen in March/April. So, if you want to experience Skye at a quiet time of year, but you aren’t a big fan of cooler winter weather, then April and early-May are really great months to choose.
The month of May is when spring blossoms into summer on the Isle of Skye. The leaves unfurl, the grass mountainsides begin their summer growth, and the whole landscape becomes greener. The weather in May is typically warmer, drier and sunnier than in April, so it’s a very pleasant time to visit.
The flip-side of this is that the tourist numbers on the Isle of Skye begin to increase steeply throughout the month of May: the roads start to become busier and the attractions become more crowded. There’s definitely a noticeable difference between the beginning of May and the end of May, in terms of the tourist foot-fall, so we’d recommend aiming for the first half of the month…
Daylight hours on the Isle of Skye begin to lengthen in May, too. Sunset on the 1st May is around 21.11, while sunset on 31st May is around 22.09. During the summer months, if it’s bright and sunny on your elopement wedding day, then the best and most atmospheric light for photos will be in the hour before sunset and the 30 mins just after (known as ‘blue hour’). So it’s great to keep your plans flexible in order to be able to factor this into your plans for your day…
Just as a side-note, if the weather on your day ends-up being overcast or rainy, then there’s unlikely to be a sunset, meaning that the best light for photos will be during the middle of your day. Again, it really helps to keep your plans flexible with your photographer.
PLANNING A SPRING ELOPEMENT ON THE ISLE OF SKYE?
SUMMER ELOPEMENTS ON THE ISLE OF SKYE (June–September)
Summers on the Isle of Skye are fairly typical of summer in Scotland more generally: you can have gloriously warm and sunny days and you can have some very wet and misty-moody days too, often within the same week! So opting for a certain month to ensure good weather, or to avoid the possibility of rain on your elopement wedding day just doesn’t really work in Scotland. The weather here is too unpredictable! Temperatures range from 9–16°C (48.2–60.8°F) in June to 9–15°C (48.2–59°F) in September. So summers are considerably warmer than winters on Skye, but we definitely don’t have anything like the summer heat that you typically get in the more Southern countries in Europe.
Traditionally, July and August (the school summer holidays) were the two busiest months on the Isle of Skye. But in recent years, we’ve noticed a trend for June and September to be equally busy. We sense that many visitors are aiming to avoid the ‘busiest months’, while also making the most of the summer weather. The result being that tourists are increasingly coming in June and September, making these months on the island very busy too.
If you are planning to visit the Isle of Skye during the summer months, it’s also worth noting the daylight hours are very, very long! On the longest day of the year (21st June) sunrise is at 04.26 and sunset is at 22.30. Sunset is often when you get the softest and most beautiful light for couples photos, especially if it’s been a harsh, sunny day. So we’d only recommend choosing to elope in June if you are either very early morning people, or people who enjoy staying out late! By August the days are more manageable, with sunrise being 05.51 and sunset being 21.00.
AUTUMN ELOPEMENTS ON THE ISLE OF SKYE (October–November)
Autumn is a really beautiful time on the Isle of Skye. Visitor numbers decrease significantly throughout October, and by November, the island is very quiet and peaceful. Temperatures drop, but the real winter chill has yet to set-in, and you often get very mild days. For October, the average is 6-12°C (42.28-53.°F) This drops to 4-9°C (39.2-48.2°F) in November. The landscape begins to change from bright green, to richer, deeper browns and oranges, making it a very atmospheric and beautiful backdrop for your photos…
PLANNING AN AUTUMN ELOPEMENT ON THE ISLE OF SKYE? WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
THE MOST POPULAR MONTHS TO ELOPE ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
It’s worth noting that October is the most popular month for eloping on the Isle of Skye, closely followed by May.
During May and October, there are often 4–5 elopements, vow renewals and couples photoshoots (sometimes more) taking place on the Isle of Skye on any given day. This includes weekdays, which are actually even more popular for elopements than weekends, as many couples want to take a week’s vacation and get married in the middle of it. This means that there’s quite a high probability of bumping into another elopement couple if you are heading for the most famous photography locations like The Quiraing, The Storr and The Fairy Glen etc.
Bumping into another elopement couple is not necessarily a problem—you can simply offer your friendly congratulations to the other couple(s) and continue on your way. Scotland elopement photographers do their best to coordinate behind the scenes to avoid ceremony clashes. But lot of Isle of Skye elopement photographers use the same spots—we’re sure that you will recognise the same backdrops coming-up again and again in elopement images. So if you would prefer not to encounter another elopement couple on your wedding day, this is something to consider when choosing your month.
If you are concerned about bumping into another elopement couple on your day, and you feel that this is something that you would like to avoid, then you can check-out some more off-the-beaten track elopement locations, where you will be MUCH less likely to encounter another elopement couple during the more popular months, on our list of the Best Places To Elope In Scotland.
SUNRISE VERSUS SUNSET CEREMONIES
Partly in response to how busy the most popular Isle of Skye elopement locations have become, especially during the summer months, some photographers have begun offering sunrise or sunset ceremony options. It’s definitely true that the most popular spots like The Quiraing, The Storr and The Fairy Glen will be much less busy at this time of day. However, before you decide to opt for a sunrise/ sunset ceremony, there are a few things that we suggest you consider:
– Sunrise and sunset times vary massively throughout the year. We’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth reiterating here, as your ceremony time is going to have a big influence on your experience on your wedding day.
– Sunrise on the longest day of the year (21st June) is at 04.26, while sunset is at 22.27. Meanwhile, on the shortest day of the year (21st December) sunrise is at 09.05, while sunset is at 15.41. So when weighing-up a sunrise or sunset ceremony as an option, we suggest starting by checking what time sunrise/ sunset will be on your day.
SUNRISE ELOPEMENT CEREMONIES
– If you opt for a sunrise ceremony during the summer months, it’s worth knowing that you’re going to have to get up very, very early! Make-up artists typically require at least 2 hours to work their magic. Then there’s your travel time to the ceremony location (often at least 30 mins). Also, it’s worth noting that the most beautiful light is actually during the hour *before* sunrise. So before committing to a sunrise ceremony, we’d suggest working-out exactly how early you would actually need to get up in the morning in order to have a sunrise wedding ceremony.
– We find that most elopement couples are filled with nervous excitement the night before their wedding day, and they often don’t sleep as soundly as usual. We find that this is exacerbated if you also need to get-up super-early! You know that feeling when you have to get up very early, after only a couple of hours sheep, for a ‘red eye’ flight? Well, we find that the same is true for couples getting up really early for a sunrise elopement ceremony. You often don’t sleep very well the night before, and you can arrive on your wedding day feeling a little sleep-deprived and slightly spaced.
– So it’s worth considering whether getting up really early and then rushing to be ready for a sunrise ceremony is what you want on your wedding day? Or would you prefer a more relaxed and gentle start to your morning?
– Also, it’s a pretty obvious point, but it’s worth mentioning that sunrise happens at a fixed time each day. So if there is another couple planning a sunrise elopement in the same spot as you (The Quiraing, The Fairy Glen, Cuillins and The Storr are the four most popular ceremony locations) then you’re both going to rock-up at the same time, which could be a little awkward! Again, it’s just something to keep in mind if you’re considering a sunrise ceremony.
THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF SUNRISES
In Scotland, it’s also quite hard to predict whether there’s going to be a beautiful sunrise on any given day, just by looking at the weather forecast. So you can get-up super-early, only to be greeted by ‘fifty shades of grey’ and a bit of a dull, boring sunrise…which could leave you wondering whether the painfully early start was worth it?!
The fiery sunrises that you may have seen on instagram are likely to be the rare good ones that the photographer captured…. amongst a bunch of rather disappointing ones! Some are actually images of sunsets, mislabelled as sunrises. Really, it’s the luck of the draw which it will be on your day…
THE VALUE OF ‘MORNING PREPARATION’ PHOTOS
The very early start required for sunrise ceremonies means that elopement photographers don’t typically photograph you and your partner getting ready together at your accommodation. They simply meet you at your ceremony location. We find that a lot of our couples really love the romantic and artistic nature of ‘morning preparation’ photos, and they would be sad not to have these as part of the story of their elopement wedding day. So it’s worth weighing-up which elements of your day are the most important to you…
Just on a practical note, we really love capturing the quiet, intimate morning preparation moments from an artistic point of view. But we also feel that it’s really valuable for couples to have some lovely photos of them both looking all beautiful and Vogue-cover-perfect before they step-out and embrace whatever the weather is doing on their wedding day!
Your hair and make-up won’t stay perfect for long if the weather is wet and windy on your wedding day! So it’s great to have some interior photos of your both looking your very best before the adventure of your day commences.
SUNRISE CEREMONIES: THE RISK OF PEAKING TOO SOON
We also wonder whether having a sunrise ceremony can leave couples feeling like they have ‘peaked too soon’ on their wedding day. In our experience, an elopement day has a natural flow and story arc—a bit like a good cinematic feature film.
There’s the sense of quiet anticipation building-up to the ceremony, the emotional high-point of the ceremony itself, then the post-ceremony joy and exhilaration, followed by a deep sense of fulfilment and satisfaction, to be enjoyed at leisure during the remaining part of the day. If your elopement is essentially over by brunch, could the rest of your day feel a little anticlimactic and redundant..? Again, just something to consider and discuss between the two of you.
SUNSET ELOPEMENT CEREMONIES
As with sunrise ceremonies, sunset is typically a quieter time of the day at all of the most popular beauty spots, as the majority of the tourists will have headed back to their accommodation. Again, it’s worth checking what time sunset will be on your date.
We find that sunset is typically more reliable than sunrise—you get some interesting light in most weather conditions. Personally, we prefer sunset to sunrise for the wider range of colours.
Obviously, sunset is going to be later in the day, especially in summer. So if you’re opting for a sunset ceremony, then you’re going to be waiting for the majority of the day to say your “I do’s”… We find that couples only fully relax and enjoy themselves once their wedding ceremony is completed, as this is essentially the emotional heart of their day. It’s worth asking yourselves if you really want to be waiting the whole day for the ‘main event’, and then have very little time to relax and have fun with your couples photography afterwards?
Personally, we find that aiming for a ceremony around the middle of the day allows for a relaxed morning, but with plenty of time to go exploring and take photos afterwards. So we feel that this typically works best for the pacing of your day.
ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PACKAGES
The growing popularity of eloping on the Isle of Skye has seen an increasing number of photographers and planners offering Isle of Skye Elopement Packages.
We’ve written a blog sharing some thoughts and advice around the subject of Scotland Elopement Packages, and what (from our experience of having planning and photographers 250+ elopements) will make for the best experience on your day: https://thecaryls.co.uk/scotland-elopement-packages/
OUR ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY & PLANNING PACKAGE
We offer one simple, Isle of Skye elopement photography and planning package, based on us working with you to create your dream elopement wedding, with both of us photographing it. As we always work together as a husband-and-wife team, we can also act as your witnesses, which makes things nice and easy! Our extensive elopement experience means that we can ensure your planning process (and your elopement wedding day itself) is relaxed, stress-free and super-romantic.
We offer planning assistance across all aspects of your day.
WHAT WE OFFER:
– Planning assistance across all aspects of your day
– Timeline creation
– Ceremony location and couples shoot suggestions
– Connecting you with wonderful local suppliers (celebrant, hair & make-up, florist etc)
– Two photographers capturing your day (who can also act as your witnesses)
– Drone photos and video
– Polaroid photos for you to take away with you on the day
– 35mm film photography (optional add-on)
– Preview photos within 3 days of your elopement
– Full online gallery of 300+ high resolution images with a direct link-up to order prints and albums
Working together as a pair turns your elopement into a fun double-date-meets-road trip with friends, where we take you to all of the most scenic spots on the island (including some out-of-the-way locations that are not on the well-trodden tourist trail, that you may never have discord otherwise…). We know all the cosiest cafes that serve the most delicious, wholesome food, as well at the best traditional Scottish pubs, where you can pull-up a chair by the fire and enjoy a dram of whisky, or a pint of beer at the end of the day.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY & PLANNING PACKAGE?
JJ and Tom, who eloped on the Isle of Skye: “We can’t recommend The Caryl’s enough. Even before we met them, we were in love with their style but once we met, we instantly knew that it couldn’t be anyone else. They helped us through the whole process, not just with the documents, but giving us tips and recommendations about accommodation, suppliers and restaurants – and let me tell you, all were all perfect! We are not ‘camera people’, and usually we feel awkward when having our photos taken. But The Caryls made everything smooth and easy! We had the craziest Scottish weather, but it was the perfect day! I can’t wait to shoot with you in the future again, guys. Once again, thank you for all your help, support and amazing work!”
ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PACKAGES: How Much Time Do We Need?
If you’ve never experienced an elopement wedding before, and let’s face it, most couples eloping on the Isle of Skye probably haven’t, then it can be hard to imagine what an elopement day looks like. What you will do? How much time you will need with your photographer? So here are a few things to consider:
– Your elopement wedding day is still your *wedding day*! It’s the day that you will look back on and celebrate in years to come. An elopement is about so much more than just the act of exchanging your rings and vows, it’s about a very intentional experience around your whole day.
– You’ve chosen to elope, to do something different, unique and perhaps a little bold for your wedding day. Don’t you want that day to be fully documented and commemorated for yourselves, your family and friends (many of whom won’t be there). Oh, and also, you’re going to want your friends to fully see how completely awesome your wedding day choice was, right?
ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER & PLANNER
In addition to photographing elopements, we take a very active planning role in helping our couples to envision their day. Our extensive elopement experience means that we can ensure your planning process (and your elopement wedding day itself) is relaxed, stress-free and super-romantic.
We offer planning assistance across all aspects of your day, including:
– Location & accommodation recommendations to suit your vision
– Connecting you with celebrants who will conduct your wedding ceremony with wisdom, warmth and wit.
– Other tried and trusted suppliers (florists, hair & make-up, private chefs… and anyone else you need to make your Isle of Skye elopement dream a reality!)
TWO CREATIVE MINDS ARE BETTER THAN ONE!
As we photograph elopements together as a husband-and wife team, we can capture multiple perspectives on your day. We can also be in two places at once (for example, if you want to get ready separately, and then have a ‘first look’).
As we photograph as a pair, we can also act as the two witnesses for your marriage paperwork, which takes another thing off your ‘to do’ list.
Oh, and as we come as a duo, it means that your day feels more like a fun double-date/ road trip with friends, rather than being ‘papped’ by a solo photographer (which we feel helps a lot, if you’re at all worried about feeling/ looking awkward on camera!) We can totally put you at ease, and allow you and your partner to have fun with your day… and your elopement photography!
Adrienne & Logan, who eloped on the Isle of Skye: “WOW! WOW!! WOW!!! We have no words as to how beautiful these turned out! We are truly in awe of them. Thank you so much for capturing the most amazing day! We are beyond grateful for the journey and adventure you guys were able to take with us. We couldn’t have asked for better photographers. We cannot wait to share these photos with friends and family!”
IT’S YOUR WEDDING DAY—DON’T SELL YOURSELVES SHORT!
Our overall greatest piece of advice would be: This is your wedding day—don’t sell yourself short! If you are choosing to elope because you’re wanting a romantic and stress-free wedding day, with no sense of rush or time pressure—and epic photographs to show for it—then it really pays to have your photographer for the full day.
Having your photographer available for the whole day allows for the most flexibility, if the weather on your day is inclement. It also means that there’s no sense of rush or time pressure. It gives you the maximum time to relax and feel natural in front of the camera (which translates into relaxed and natural photos).
Perhaps, most importantly, it means that you will have the *full story* of the day that you got married to look back on in future years, and also to share with your family and friends on your return.
Liana & Devon, who eloped on the Isle of Skye: “We cannot recommend choosing Katy and Jim as your elopement photographers enough. They made what seemed like an overwhelming task (eloping in another country) totally doable! Their recommendations truly made our trip what it was. Our accommodation on the Isle of Skye was so perfect, we absolutely loved it. They helped us create such a beautiful wedding day that surpassed anything we’d imagined. They know so many great places to have your ceremony, and they help you figure out the best locations based on how you’re wanting your day to go. Once they knew we were down for a hike, they recommended an awesome location where the views were unbeatable!
Katy and Jim are genuine, lovely people and so incredibly talented. The pictures speak for themselves. We are by no means naturals in front of a camera, but they are experts at guiding you and capturing absolutely stunning shots. Everyone is so blown away by the photos and we feel so lucky to have these to look back on and remember such a special day in such a gorgeous place!”
WHY IT’S *SO* WORTHWHILE BOOKING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR WHOLE ELOPEMENT WEDDING DAY!
Having helped over 250+ elopement couples (and counting!) to plan their Isle of Skye elopement wedding day, we’ve found that having complete flexibility (i.e. having your photographer at your disposal for the whole day) is one of the key ways to ensure a completely stress-free elopement experience. It’s also the best way to give yourselves the best possible chance of capturing incredible photos.
Booking your photographer for the full day doesn’t mean that you’re literally taking photos for every second of the entire day. It just means that your photographer is available whenever and wherever you need them, and you are free to change-up your plans (e.g. your ceremony time) the day before, if necessary (pending weather conditions….)
PRO TIP: YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR PLANS AS FLEXIBLE AS POSSIBLE
We very often alter the plans for an elopement day 24 hours in advance. We may choose to move things earlier or later, based on the weather forecast. With the elopement above, Alexis and Rachael’s wedding day coincided with Storm Babet (hurricane level winds). So we rearranged their entire plan for their day the afternoon before… As you can see, it worked-out great!
But if you have only booked your photographer for a ‘quickie’ 4-hour elopement package, then you can be locked into a specific time slot. Your photographer may take another booking for the other half of the day, or they may have travel commitments (travelling to or from an elopement in another part of Scotland) for the other half of the day, meaning that they are not able to be completely flexible with your plans.
We’ve heard first hand accounts from many celebrants that a couple’s day was compromised because they had to go ahead with their ceremony in torrential rain, just because they’d only booked their photographer for a 4-hour window. Don’t make this mistake yourselves!
IF IT’S JUST YOU AND YOUR PARTNER, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO FOR A FULL DAY ELOPEMENT?
If you’re getting married just the two of you, with no guests accompanying you, then it might initially seem difficult to image how you are going to occupy yourselves for a full day. Honestly, there have been sooooo many times where we’ve reached the middle of the afternoon on a couple’s elopement wedding day, and they’ve exclaimed: “Wow! Is that the time already? We can’t believe how quickly the day had flown-by!”
THE UNIQUE CHAPTERS OF YOUR ELOPEMENT WEDDING DAY
We find that an elopement wedding naturally falls into a series of parts or chapters, that together tell the story of your day. Many elopement couples tell us that they’re choosing to elope because they don’t want to feel rushed or stressed on their wedding day. They want to be mindful, relaxed and able to enjoy every moment…
PART 1: Morning Preparations
An elopement wedding day starts from the moment that you wake-up in your beautiful accommodation. There’s the quiet intimacy as you get ready… Then perhaps you will have a ‘first look’ (a ‘ta-da’ moment when you see each other for the first time looking amazing in your wedding clothes…)
PART 2: The Journey
Then there will be the journey to your ceremony location, when you will pass some amazing vistas, and you can capture some epic, wall-art-worthy photos en route. There have been so many times when we’ve come round a corner to see the most beautiful rainbow, and of course we had to jump-out of the car and grab some amazing photos with our couple before it disappeared!
Part 3: The Ceremony & Post-Ceremony Couples Photoshoot
This is really the emotional heart of your day. It’s something that you want to treasure and enjoy. Then there are the moments of joy and exhilaration afterwards! This is such a lovely. Spontaneous moment to capture, when your faces will be full of joy.
Part 4: Lunch
After your ceremony, you might head to a scenic spot for a picnic with an amazing view. Or head to a cosy cafe for pub for lunch. The Isle of Skye has some incredible eateries! Whether you’re after a swanky fine-dining option… or just something a little more laidback and informal, there is the perfect post-ceremony pit-stop for you!
Part 5: Exploring some off-the-beaten-track places
After lunch, you’ll want to do some more exploring, right? The Isle of Skye has so many stunning locations to see and you can capture some epic, wall-art worthy photos of you and your partner along the way, and we can help you explore these places.
Considering your elopement as an awesome-all-day experience means that you can really relax and be yourselves, and have some fun with your photography. This allows your photographer to capture you and your partner as you really are, rather than any sense of posing for the camera…
Part 6: Evening celebrations
After an afternoon exploring in the mountains and seeing some of the most epic views that the Isle of Skye has to offer, there is the final chapter of your elopement wedding day. Choose how you celebrate in the evening…
This could be a romantic candlelit dinner for two (either a private chef in your accommodation or a restaurant); drinks and live music in a cosy pub; pizza and card games in front of the fire back at your Airbnb; or watching the moon rise in a hot tub under the stars.
THE FULL STORY OF YOUR DAY
Everything that unfolds over the course of your wedding day is ALL part of your elopement experience!
Having photos of it all not only allows you not only to relive the memories together in years to come. It also allows you to share your incredible elopement adventure with friends and family who were not present.
We know that this is such a valuable thing: it allows them to feel included in your elopement adventure, even if they were not there in person… So, many of our couples have particularly commented on how valuable this was for them… and their families, too.
Shelly & Chris, who eloped on the Isle of Skye: “Choosing The Caryls to capture our elopement was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. In addition to being creative and skilled photographers, they were wonderful friends to share the day with, excellent mountain guides, and top notch wedding planning guides – which was extremely helpful coming all the way from California. They were so patient with us and helped make our day feel as calm and adventurous as possible, and somehow along the way they captured the most beautiful moments – the quiet intimate moments, the private nonverbal communication, the joyful moments, important moments, the wind creating drama, and the beauty of nature that Scotland gave us for our special day! They really were able to capture our personalities in a way that felt extremely authentic. The photos really told a story of our wedding day from start to finish. It was so meaningful for our close friends and family to be able to see our day unfold and see the love we shared that day. Their photos are literally pieces of art and I will cherish these for the rest of my life. They truly mean so much to us. The Caryl’s are really spectacular people with incredible talent.”
Nicci & Dylan, who eloped with a few family members on the Isle of Skye: “Katy and Jim are the whole package! Of course, as photographers, our wedding photos came back as a reflection of the total fairy tale dream that was our day. But beyond that, every moment throughout our day felt easy, intimate, and magical because of them. I felt so comfortable working with them knowing that they wanted our day to be perfect too. From planning our entire schedule, finding stunning locations to hold our ceremony and wander through the mountains, and staying with us for every moment that marked the story of our day, I could not recommend these two more highly.”
ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Photography is perhaps the most important investment that you will make in your elopement wedding. Your photographer has the responsibility of capturing the story of your day beautifully; to preserve these special memories forever and allow you to share your elopement experience with your family and friends.
Your Isle of Skye elopement photographer may well be your only guest(s) on this incredibly momentous and personal day of your lives. This means that the personality of your photographer is going to really influence the atmosphere of your day. Make sure that you choose a photographer whose style you love, but also someone who you really connect with on a personal level too. You want your photographer to feel like your best friend and supportive cheerleader, bringing the fun and the positive energy, as well as taking beautiful photos for you.
INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH US, AND KEEN TO CHAT?
PRO TIP: ALWAYS ARRANGE A ZOOM/ PHONE CHAT WITH ANY ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING TRUSTING TO CAPTURE YOUR SPECIAL DAY: HAVING A REALLY GREAT PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER IS SUPER-IMPORTANT!
Most photographers are only too happy to speak with couples who are interested in inviting them to be a part of their elopement adventure. It’s a great way for your photographer to get to know a little more about you, and and your love story, and to chat about your ideas and plans for your day. It’s also a chance for you and your partner to get a feel for whether you feel a great personal connection with the photographer, and what it would feel like to spend this very special day together with them.
If your initial Zoom chat with a potential photographer feels like you’ve been best friends for years, then it’s a great indication that spending the day together will be easy, and it will also be easy to relax in front of their lens. Whereas, if your initial chat feels a bit like an awkward ‘first date’, then it’s maybe a sign that this photographer isn’t the best fit for you… and that’s totally ok! There is the right photographer out there for every couple. You just need to find your perfect match!
KEEN TO ARRANGE A CHAT WITH US?
Marissa & Dylan, who had a wedding on the Isle of Raasay and Skye: “We cannot thank The Caryls enough for helping to make our wedding weekend perfect! Katy and Jim are so lovely and easy to get along with that we felt immediately at ease. They simultaneously were able to blend seamlessly into the background during the wedding itself while also being on hand at a moments notice to step in and help out.
Their eye for beauty and light completely shaped our entire weekend, from picking the perfect ceremony spot (in a way we could not have imagined ourselves) to highlighting all the hidden lovely features of our venue and its surroundings that would otherwise have been overlooked. We wish we could live the whole experience over and over again, and will fully be asking Jim and Katy to join us again when we next renew our vows (who knows, might have to be an annual event since it was so much fun!) Thank you both for EVERYTHING”
ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT: THE BEST RESTAURANTS & CAFES ON SKYE
The Isle of Skye has an amazing food culture, so you will definitely want to check-out some of the places below during your stay. For restaurants, especially the more ‘fine dining’ ones, you need to book well ahead, especially in Summer (like, a good 60+ days in advance) to be sure of securing a booking on your chosen date.
Do be aware that Skye gets very, very busy during the summer months (especially June-August). If you don’t book in advance, then you will find yourselves struggling to find anywhere to eat at all (and/ or having to make-do with some overpriced, but underwhelming food in Skye’s less-good restaurants), which would be disappointing. So plan ahead and don’t miss-out!
BEST RESTAURANTS on the Isle of Skye
Dulce & Brose at the Bosville Hotel, Portree – cool, cosy well-stocked bar and excellent contemporary Scottish menu.
Edinbane Lodge, Edinbane – wonderful Scottish casual fine dining
Loch Bay, Stein – An award-winning, cosy 6-table fine dining restaurant:
Scorrybreac, Portree – amazing and unique tasting menus
The Dunvegan, Dunvegan – great food and views, also good for lunches
The Old Inn, Carbost – characterful traditional Scottish pub with live Scottish music
The Three Chimneys, Colbost – world renowned Scottish restaurant-with-rooms in a beautiful location.
BEST CAFES on the Isle of Skye
Café Cùil, Carbost – Lively cafe with a great atmosphere serving a top notch brunch/ lunch menu full of locally sourced ingredients
Cafe Lephin, Glendale – Cute cafe serving easy soups and sandwiches en route to Neist Point
Hungry Gull, Staffin – Delicious, wholesome food served in a cosy setting close to The Quiraing
Gasta Portree, A relaxed restaurant serving wood fired pizza and other hearty food throughout the day and into the evening
Gasta, Broadford, Broadford – A really friendly cafe serving hearty food and delicious cakes all day
Lean To Coffee, Ashaig, Broadford (April–Nov) – An excellent coffee & cake pit-stop as you arrive/leave Skye. Check-out their gourmet toasties!
THE END!
That’s all, folks! We hope that you have found this guide helpful as you begin your Isle of Skye elopement planning. If you are interested in working with us, do feel free to reach out (not matter how early-on you are in your planning process!) We would love to hear from you!
