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.
As Scotland elopement photographers, one of the most common questions that we get asked by couples looking to plan a Scottish elopement is: “what’s the best month, time of year or season to elope in Scotland?” To help answer this question and demonstrate how the Scottish landscape changes through the seasons (and what to expect weather-wise from each time of year) we’ve created this handy guide on the subject! So, if you’re currently planning an elopement wedding in Scotland. . . read-on!
Before we get into the month-by-month breakdown of when is the best time to visit Scotland, we feel it’s important to start by making four key points that we feel will help you to get the most from your elopement wedding day, and the best photos!
1. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BAD WEATHER, ONLY INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHING
We truly feel that Scotland is beautiful in all seasons and in all weather. We find that most elopement couples are free-spirited, laid-back, fairly adventurous souls who love nature and the great outdoors and want their wedding day to be an experience, with a bit of adventure thrown-in. If this doesn’t sound like you, or if your idea of a perfect wedding day is one in which: the sun is 100% definitely shining and it’s absolutely, definitely not going to rain (which can never be guaranteed in Scotland, regardless of the season!); where your wedding clothes remain pristine, perfect and utterly mud-free the entire day (which is pretty much never the case with a Scottish elopement wedding!) and every aspect of your day is rigidly planned-out with a set-in-stone timeline (elopements are, by nature, more spontaneous and fluid days), we would suggest pausing here and having a think about whether or not eloping in Scotland is the right choice for you. BUT, if all the above sounds right up your street, you’re in the right place!
2. SCOTLAND ELOPEMENTS: BE PREPARED FOR FOUR SEASONS IN ONE DAY!
The second point that we feel it’s important to make to couples planning an elopement in Scotland, is that the Scottish weather is notoriously changeable! There’s a popular saying here in Scotland that it’s not unusual to have ‘four seasons in one day’. Living in Scotland ourselves, we know this to be absolutely true! We’ve photographed elopements where there has been snow, rain, hail and sun all within the space of a single day! It’s the changeable nature of the Scottish weather that makes the landscape and light so dramatic and interesting.
To illustrate what we mean, we’re including a selection of images below that were captured during an Isle of Mull elopement in June (so, ‘Scottish summer’). You can see just how changeable the weather was— a rainstorm one minute, sunshine the next!
3. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS ON OUR ELOPEMENT WEDDING DAY?
The third and final point that we feel it’s important to make before we get into our month-by-month breakdown is that if you are planning an elopement in Scotland, we would strongly suggest that you prepare yourselves for the possibility of rain, as (whatever month you choose) there is always a chance that it could be wet on your wedding day. However, that being said, we find that even in winter, it’s pretty rare for heavy rain to set-in unabated for an entire day. In Scotland, particularly on island locations like Skye, weather-fronts usually move through fairly quickly. If you give it an hour or two, the chances are that a shower will pass-over.
4) TOP TIP: BOOK YOUR ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE WHOLE DAY
The unpredictability of Scotland’s weather is one of the reasons that we strongly recommend booking your elopement photographer for the entire day. While we’re more than happy to shoot in rainy conditions (indeed, we totally embrace wet weather as it’s super-atmospheric!) we know that if you want to be able to really concentrate on your ceremony and the beautiful and heartfelt vows that you are exchanging, utterly torrential rain can be a bit of a distraction! Having your photographer for the whole day gives you the greatest flexibility to dodge the showers and aim for the fair weather windows, should the weather be inclement on your day. As Scotland elopement photographers offering full-day coverage, we’ve never had an outdoor elopement ceremony not go ahead outside as planned.
Keen for us to capture your elopement in Scotland?
SCOTLAND ELOPEMENTS THROUGH THE SEASONS
Having said all of the above, it is possible to give a rough guide of what to expect from a Scottish elopement through the seasons, and demonstrate how the Scottish landscape changes throughout the year. One of the things that we love most as Scotland elopement photographers is the way that the colours and textures in the Scottish landscape evolve throughout the seasons. The same location can look completely different in spring, summer, autumn and winter.
DAYLIGHT HOURS
One of the things that changes most significantly throughout the year is the light: daylight hours in Scotland vary dramatically between the summer and winter months. At midsummer (21st June) the sun sets around 22.30 (and it’s still light at 23.00). In midwinter (21st December), the sun sets around 15.30-16.00. Given that sunset is one of the best times of the day for beautiful and atmospheric couples portraits, it’s worth checking what time sunset will be at the time of year that you are considering for your Scotland elopement wedding.
We should mention that the shorter days in winter don’t mean you’re missing-out, or that you are going to get less from your elopement wedding day. There are lots of fun and artistic ways to use the low light (for example, lanterns, as in the images above and below). In many ways, winter weddings are actually very practical and efficient: you can take your gorgeous sunset photos… and then you can cosy-up by the fire with your favourite drink and relax into a romantic evening meal.
WINTER ELOPEMENT IN SCOTLAND: DECEMBER – FEBRUARY
Average temperature: 6-8 degrees Celsius (but it can often be lower, so pack your thermals!)
Sunset: 3.30 pm (mid-Dec) to 5.30 pm (mid-Feb)
Let’s start with winter elopements: December, January and February are winter months here in Scotland. Traditionally, winter is considered ‘low season’ for weddings, but it’s actually one of our favourite times of year in Scotland for elopement photography! There’s often snow on the hills, and the landscape is really magical and pretty. The days are short in Scotland in winter, with sunset between around 15.30 in mid-December to 17.30 in mid-February. With winter elopements in Scotland, it’s all about quality not quantity: from a photography perspective, the sun remains low in the sky throughout the day which makes the light beautifully atmospheric (and great for photos!) the entire time. It also means that you’re not waiting around until late at night for sunset portraits! With winter elopements, we suggest a ceremony time of no later than 12 noon, to make sure you have enough daylight to capture plenty of beautiful images afterwards.
The other benefit of a winter elopement in Scotland is that there are fewer tourists at this time of year. This means popular elopement locations like the Isle of Skye and Glencoe are much, much less crowded. You can experience the wild beauty of these locations as there were a decade ago, before they became internationally instagram-famous tourist destinations, and have a really special experience there. In winter, you will get your pick of the best accommodation at much more reasonable rates, so your budget will go much further. The exception to this is Christmas and New Year, when the nicest accommodation typically books-out 6–12 months in advance.
Winter weather in Scotland is often chilly, with average temperatures around 6-8°C/ 43°F between December–February, so come prepared! We always recommend lots of layers, tights or thermals under your clothes and gloves. A 4×4 vehicle can be advisable, especially for elopements in the Cairngorms and Glencoe where there may be snow. That being said, the main trunk roads in the Scottish Highlands are cleared and gritted regularly, so there is rarely a problem with accessibility.
BEST WINTER ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS IN SCOTLAND
The images below were captured during a December elopement wedding on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. If you are planning an elopement on the Isle of Skye or Glencoe, then the winter months are a great time to choose, as these deservedly popular locations are much quieter at this time of year. You can have all the most scenic locations pretty much all to yourselves! You are also much less likely to bump into another elopement couple (which can be a bit of a problem on the Isle of Skye and Glencoe at other times of year, as these are now two of the most popular elopement locations in Scotland).
The Cairngorms National Park is another really beautiful winter elopement location in Scotland. The combination of dark green pine trees, clear, still lochs and snow-capped mountains is really special.
WANT TO SEE WHAT A SCOTTISH WINTER ELOPEMENT WEDDING DAY LOOKS LIKE?
Click here to see some real life winter elopements in Scotland:
Zanthe & Mark/ Isle of Skye elopement (December)
Louise & Nathan/ Cairngorms elopement (January)
Hannah & John/ Scottish Highlands elopement (February)
Ready to plan your Scottish elopement?
EARLY SPRING ELOPEMENTS IN SCOTLAND: MARCH
Average temperature: 8°C/ 46.5°F (but it can often be lower, so pack your thermals!)
Sunset: 18.00 (early-March) to 20.00 (late-March)
We’re dividing spring elopements into two, because there’s quite a difference between weather conditions and general vibe in March compared to April/ May here in Scotland. In March, temperatures remain around 8°C/ 46.5°F. So, as in winter, you still need to wrap-up warm. March is a bit of a ‘wild child’ month in Scotland, it’s the one where you are most likely to get the proverbial ‘four seasons in one day’ weather. That said, March is also one of the most dramatic and visually interesting months for a Scottish elopement. Some of our all-time favourite misty-moody images have been captured during March elopements . If you’re a couple who loves a bit of drama and are drawn to the misty, moody mountain look – and you aren’t afraid of the elements – we’d say that March is definitely the month for you! The images below were captured during March elopements in Scotland.
If you are looking to elope on the Isle of Skye or in Glencoe, then March is a good month to visit, as it’s still a quiet time of year in these locations.
WANT TO SEE WHAT A FULL MARCH ELOPEMENT WEDDING DAY LOOKS LIKE?
Click here to see the full story of a real life March elopement wedding: Kat & Stuart, Assynt.
Ready to plan your Scottish elopement?
LATE SPRING ELOPEMENTS IN SCOTLAND: APRIL & MAY
Average temperature: 12-15°C / 53-59°F
Sunset: 20.00 (early-April) to 22.00 (late-May)
April and particularly May are often some of the sunniest, driest, mildest months in Scotland, so if you’re not very keen on cold weather it’s a great time to visit! The trees and hedgerows come into bloom during the month of April, with everything in full flower in May. Wildflowers scatter the fields and mountainsides and there’s a sense of promise and exhilaration in the air. During April and May, the colour and character of the Scottish landscape really changes: the tones move from yellows, russets and browns to vibrant, fresh greens as the leaves on the trees unfurl towards the end of April. During late spring, the days are getting longer and the nights are drawing out (sunset is between around 20.00 at the beginning of April and 22.00 by the end of May). Although May, in particular, is one of the best months for fine, dry weather in Scotland. It being Scotland, you can of course get rain and misty-moody days in May too!
We find that, while the weather in April and May is often glorious, this can mean that a little more flexibility within the day is necessary when it comes to getting the best photos for our couples. On overcast, cloudy days, the light is soft, diffuse and consistent and ideal for photography throughout the whole day. Whereas, on a bright, sunny day in April/ May in Scotland, the character of the light is quite different. On sunny days, the light during the middle of the day is starker, the landscape looks bleached-out and the look of photographs will be less filmic. So, if you’re eloping in Scotland in April or May, it’s great to be open to being flexible with your plans, and to potentially pushing things later in the day so that you can make the most of the softer, more filmic light for couples photos at sunset. The images below were taken in mid-May around 22.00. On sunny days, it definitely pays to stay out late.
VISITOR NUMBERS
Visitor numbers to the Isle of Skye and Glencoe start to increase over the course of April, with the start of the month being a lot quieter than the end. From mid-May onwards, both Glencoe and Skye are very, very busy. So in all honesty, we wouldn’t really recommend planning an elopement in these locations later than early May, as we just don’t feel that it makes for the wild and romantic elopement experience that you are probably dreaming of. You can, of course, decide to visit these locations as part of your honeymoon afterwards.
If you are planning to elope in Scotland between mid-May and September, we can recommend some incredible locations that will be a lot quieter.
DO YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT A LATE-SPRING ELOPEMENT WEDDING IN SCOTLAND LOOKS LIKE? CHECK-OUT THE BLOG BELOW:
Sarah & Luke: Scottish Highlands elopement (April)
SUMMER ELOPEMENTS IN SCOTLAND
Average temperature: 18.1°C (64.6°F)
Sunset: 22.30 (mid-June to 20.30 (late-August)
June-August are summer months here in Scotland. One of the first tings that you will notice about summer elopements in Scotland is how much greener the landscape is. The snow will have disappeared from the mountain tops and everything is in full bloom. Weather-wise, Scottish summers are a bit of a fickle affair: there can be stretches of warm, sunny weather (average temperatures are 16-17°C , but there can be ‘heatwaves’ of 20-30°C on occasion). However, it can also be quite wet, with short bouts of drenching rain. So if you are planning a summer elopement in Scotland, pack your waterproofs as well as your suncream! One of the things that we enjoy about summer elopements in Scotland is that, unlike southern Europe (where summers are typically very sunny and dry) summers in Scotland are quite wet and warm, which often creates misty-moody views, but without the chill of winter.
SUNRISE WEDDING CEREMONIES: IS THIS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU?
Some elopement photographers try to avoid the large numbers of summer tourists on the Isle of Skye and Glencoe by offering sunrise elopement wedding ceremonies. These can be beautiful. But there are just a few things to be aware of, if you are considering this option:
a) Sunrise in Scotland during the summer months is between 04.30 (mid-June) to 06.00 (mid-August). Most make-up artists allow 2 hours to do a bride’s hair and make-up for a wedding ceremony. Then there is the travel time from your accommodation to your ceremony location. So you could end-up getting up at 02.00 on your wedding day, having not really slept the night before. Are you naturally ‘morning people’? If not, it’s worth having a think about whether this is what you want?
b) If you have been looking at a variety of elopement photographer’s websites, you will probably have seen the same spots coming-up again and again, especially in Glencoe and Skye. This is because they are epic locations, and lots of couples are excited to have photos there. But it’s worth thinking about how you would feel if you got up at 02.00 on your wedding day, in order to have a private sunrise ceremony, only to arrive at your ceremony location and find that there is another elopement couple already there.
c) Getting up for a dawn ceremony on the Isle of Skye can be a beautiful experience, and the island’s beauty spots will definitely be quieter then. However, this does not affect the reality of how busy the island will be during the rest of your stay, and for any other sightseeing that you want to do during the rest of your trip.
If you are keen for a summer elopement wedding, there are loads of other stunning off-the-beaten track locations that aren’t on the tourist radar. We’re always happy to recommend our favourite out-of-the-way places to our summer elopement couples!
WHY IT PAYS TO SHOOT LATER ON SUNNY SUMMER DAYS
As with April and May, the time of day that you shoot in summer can be really crucial! The longest day of the year in Scotland is 21st June, where sunset is around 22.30. So, in summer, it really pays-off to have the flexibility in your day to shoot either at sunset if your day happens to be very bright and sunny.
The images below were taken at a Scottish Highlands elopement in June. Compare the ceremony photos (immediately below) (taken around 16.00) with the ones that we shot later in the evening (around 19.30-22.00) when the light had become much more diffuse and the landscape was looking really beautiful.
As with April and May, the time of day that you shoot in summer can be really crucial! The longest day of the year in Scotland is 21st June, where sunset is around 22.30. So, in summer, it really pays-off to have the flexibility in your day to shoot either at sunrise or at sunset if your day happens to be very bright and sunny.
The images below were taken at a Scottish Highlands elopement in June. Compare the ceremony photos (immediately below) (taken around 16.00) with the ones that we shot later in the evening (around 19.30–22.00) when the light had softened and become much more diffuse and the landscape was looking really beautiful
BEST LOCATIONS FOR A SUMMER ELOPEMENT IN SCOTLAND
As previously mentioned, the most instagram-famous locations like the Isle of Skye and Glencoe get extremely busy during the summer months. Think hundreds and hundreds of people swarming around all of the classic beauty spots, streams of campervans and tour buses clogging-up roads and making getting from A to B really difficult and queues around the block to get into cafes and restaurants…
HOWEVER, this is not to say that you can’t have a really awesome experience in Scotland during the summer months. You just need to know where to go. The Isle of Mull is much, much quieter than the Isle of Skye, and in our view, just as beautiful. Our local area, Perthshire, is not widely known outside of the UK. But it’s beautiful during the summer months. There are mountain hikes aplenty, picturesque villages, cosy pubs, incredible food, forest walks and loads of great wild swimming and picnic spots. The Cairngorms National Park is a great year-round elopement destination. As the UK’s biggest national park, you will have no problem finding quiet corners to escape the summer visitors. The mountainous areas in the North of Scotland are also a great choice for adventurous, mountain-loving couples to elope in the summer months.
WANT TO SEE WHAT A SUMMER ELOPEMENT IN SCOTLAND LOOKS LIKE?
Click here to see the full story of a real life summer elopement wedding in Scotland: Christine & Alex, Isle of Mull (June)
Ready to elope in Scotland?
SUMMER ELOPERS: BEWARE THE SCOTTISH MIDGE!
The one thing to be aware of with any outdoor activities in Scotland during the summer months is the infamous Scottish midge! They’re teeny, tiny flies (about the size of a pinhead) that bite and they can be a bit of a pest during the summer months, especially at dawn and dusk. If there’s a slight breeze, it will keep them away. But on a still summer evening they can be out in force. You can buy a variety of midge repellents online to keep them at bay (we find that one called ‘Smidge’ is the most effective).
That being said, we feel some visitors can over-worry about the midges a little—the whole of Scotland is not engulfed by a cloud of midges for the whole of the summer! Those of us who live and work in Scotland are very able to get out and about and enjoy the summer months. It’s really just something to be aware of and to prepare for (with midge repellent). It’s also worth knowing that some parts of Scotland have a higher density of midges than others (broadly speaking, midges are generally more prevalent on the west coast), and even within these areas, there will be some places that have a greater density of midges than others. There is a ‘midge forecast’ and map (a bit like a hay fever pollen prediction map) that allows you to see how bad the midges are in any given area: Check it out!
EARLY AUTUMN ELOPEMENTS IN SCOTLAND: SEPTEMBER
Average temperature: 14°C / 57°F
Sunset: 19.30 (early-September) to 20.15 (late-September)
Rather like early and late spring, there is quite a big difference between early autumn (September) and late autumn (October/ November) elopements in Scotland. September is a shoulder-season month. The landscape retains a lot of its summer colour, and September is still a very lush, green month here in Scotland (similar to June-August), as the autumn colours have not yet arrived. The weather is typically mild and fairly dry, making it a good time to visit.
Although September is significantly less busy than July and August (as all the children in the UK will have gone back to school) it’s still a popular month, and you will need to book your accommodation well ahead. Below are some examples of September elopements in Scotland.
Sunset in early September is around 20.15, this moves to 19.45 in mid-September and 19.00 at the end of the month. As this coincides with a lot of people’s dinner times, for September elopements we always recommend planning your special, celebratory ‘wedding dinner’ the day after, so that you can make the most of the magical sunset light on your day.
WANT TO SEE WHAT A SEPTEMBER ELOPEMENT IN SCOTLAND LOOKS LIKE?
Check-out the links below to see some real life September elopement weddings in Scotland:
Steph & Matt: Isle of Skye elopement (September)
Marissa & Dylan: Isle of Raasay elopement (September)
Want more information about Eloping in Scotland?
LATE AUTUMN ELOPEMENTS IN SCOTLAND: OCTOBER & NOVEMBER
Average temperature: 9-12°C/ 48-54°F
Sunset: 18.30 (early-October) to 16.00 (late-November)
From the beginning of October, the autumn/ fall colours start to creep-in reaching their peak between mid-late October and mid-November (some years autumn starts earlier than others). Temperatures fall to around 9-12°C/ 48-54°F and there’s often a nip in the air in the mornings, so make sure you bring layers and wrap-up warm! Snow starts to settle on the mountain tops from mid-late October, but rarely covers the lower ground until December-January.
Autumn is a really atmospheric time here in Scotland. There are often mists on the hills and lingering in the valleys and the rich colours in the landscape are really beautiful. The evenings draw-in rapidly with sunset in mid-October around 18.30 moving to 16.00 in mid-November. For autumn elopements, we suggest a ceremony time of no later than 12 noon, to make sure you have enough daylight afterwards to explore some stunning places and capture epic photos!
All of the images below were taken during October/ November elopements in Scotland.
WHERE IS BEST TO SEE AUTUMN COLOURS IN SCOTLAND?
If you are lovers of autumn/ fall colours and want to know where to get the best fall colours in Scotland, we’ve got your back! It’s a fairly obvious point, but in order to get impressive fall colours, you need to be in an area with lots of deciduous woodland. It may surprise you to learn that the Isle of Skye and Glencoe have comparatively few deciduous trees, with most of the woodland there is is being evergreen pine plantations). So these are not really the best areas to head to if you want fall colours for your elopement wedding day.
For the best fall colours in Scotland, head to Perthshire, the Cairngorms National Park, Torridon (in the North-West Highlands) or the Borders in the south of Scotland. All of these areas are spectacular in autumn. Think a riot or yellows, oranges and ochre, the smell of woodsmoke and mists that cling to the mountains and treetops. If you are an autumn-lover, any of these areas would be the most magical backdrop for your elopement wedding day!
Autumn colours start to creep-in at the start of October, and typically reach their peak in late-October and the first week of November. However, every year is different. Some years autumn arrives earlier than others.
OCTOBER IS THE MOST POPULAR MONTH TO ELOPE IN SCOTLAND
Although visitor numbers start to tail-off over the month of October (with the end of the month being noticeably quieter than the beginning), it’s worth noting that (precisely for this reason, along with the autumn/ fall colours) October is the most popular month for elopements in Scotland.
We receive hundreds of enquiries from couples looking to plan an October elopement, so this is the month that typically books-up furthest in advance (usually 6–12 months ahead). That being said, spaces do sometimes open-up late in the day. So it’s always worth reaching out to your favourite photographer, just in case!
It’s also worth knowing that October is the most popular month for elopements in Glencoe and the Isle of Skye. It’s not unusual for there to be 4–5 elopements taking place in these areas on any given day in October (including weekdays, which are actually more popular for elopements than weekends). It’s just something to keep in mind when you are choosing your elopement location and date.
WANT TO SEE WHAT AN AUTUMN ELOPEMENT IN SCOTLAND LOOKS LIKE?
Click here to see the full story of a real life autumn elopement wedding:
Lilia & Daniel: Torridon elopement (November)
Amy & Tom: Cairngorms elopement (October)
JJ & Tom: Isle of Skye elopement (November)
WHEN IS THE BEST MONTH TO ELOPE ON THE ISLE OF SKYE OR GLENCOE?
If you and your partner have really set your hearts on eloping on the Isle of Skye or Glencoe, then we would suggest choosing a date between late-October and the first week of May. We feel that this time of year will offer you the best elopement experience in these locations… both around your elopement wedding day itself, and during your trip as a whole. These stunning locations are at their most wild and spectacularly beautiful off-season. You will avoid the camper vans, tour buses and queues, and you can enjoy the peaceful and romantic wedding day that you are dreaming-of.
For other times of year, you can check-out our list of the ‘Best places to elope in Scotland‘ for some alternative elopement location inspiration.
So there you have it: a circling year of elopements in Scotland! Why not grab a coffee and down with your partner and think about which is your favourite season and why? What sort of atmosphere do you want your elopement wedding day to have? What sort of colours in the landscape? Are you morning people (would you get-up early to have a stunning, but popular, location to yourselves at sunrise?) Or are you evening people – happy to wait until later to have gorgeous sunset photos in summer. Do you like the idea of snowy hills and magical winter light? Are you happy to embrace the weather (the wilder, the better!) Or would you prefer calmer, warmer conditions? The choice is yours!
If you are planning to elope in Scotland and would like an experienced, local husband-and-wife elopement photographer team to support and guide you towards creating the Scottish elopement wedding of your dreams, we would love to help you to create something really special!