What to do on your elopement day in Scotland? 101 ideas

There is so much joy to be found in the moments leading up to and after your ceremony

Choosing to elope brings with it the freedom to create a day without many constraints. However, this freedom can be a little daunting for many couples. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the options and simultaneously unable to think of a single thing you absolutely want to do. Here is an introduction to what to do on your elopement – with a list of 101 things to do on your elopement day in Scotland.

Setting the pace for the day of your elopement

A very important question to ask yourselves is “what kind of energy do we want on our elopement day?”. This will give you some insight on the pace of your day. If you want a really relaxed fuss-free day then a slower pace might suit you best. Or if you want to savour every moment, maximising the time we have then a faster pace day would be better.

Do you like a structured day filled with your favourite activities? Or do you prefer the idea of spontaneous exploration and discovery?

These questions can also help you with understanding how much time you need and how you want it to *feel*. This also helps with the query around how much photography coverage time you’ll need – how many hours do you need to be able to capture the story of your day? (Don’t worry, I’ll help with this question and why our timeline planning service is so invaluable!)

Deciding on the start time for your elopement

The start time for your elopement sets the whole tone of your elopement day and affects what activities can be done. There’s no right or wrong choice but it’s good to be honest with each other about what will energise you the most (and this might even be different to your normal routine in some cases!)

An Early Morning Start (for the early risers)

Benefits of waking up early on our elopement days:

• Maximise the daylight hours available
• If you get out early enough you can avoid the crowds
• Capture sunrise
• Can enjoy your evening together (or even afternoon depending on how early you start!)
• Depending on the time of year, you might be finished up long before dinner and can relax beforehand

Late Start (if you aren’t a morning person)

Advantages to starting a little later:

• Can ease into the day with a relaxed start
• Can enjoy a private morning activity (like a walk) before the day kicks off
• If you start the day late enough, tourists or locals in the area might have headed for dinner/finished up for the day
• Go sunset chasing
• Enjoy a quiet serene blue hour at the end of your day
• Can incorporate stargazing into your timeline

Starting or ending your day at sunrise/sunset can give you the added advantage of experiencing the best light of the day and prime time for wildlife spotting!

Planning Activities and Rituals outside of your Ceremony

101 Things to do on your elopement day in Scotland

The Slow Wanderers

1. Nature Walk: Take a leisurely nature walk hand in hand, exploring winding trails, hidden paths, and secluded woodlands as you immerse yourselves in the beauty of the natural surroundings.
2. Lochside Meditation: Find a peaceful lakeside spot and practice meditation or mindfulness together, allowing the soothing sounds of lapping water and rustling leaves to calm your minds and deepen your connection.
3. Botanical Garden Visit: Wander through world-class botanical gardens filled with colorful blooms, fragrant flowers, and serene water features, where you can pause to admire the beauty of nature’s creations.
4. Slow Dance: Choose a scenic spot with a breathtaking view and share a slow dance together to your favorite song, reveling in the intimacy and romance of the moment.
5. Sunrise/Sunset Watching: Wake up early to catch the sunrise together or find a secluded spot to watch the sunset, witnessing the magical colors of the sky as day turns into night.
6. Reading Love Letters: Take turns reading love letters or heartfelt vows to each other in a serene outdoor setting, surrounded by the beauty of nature as witness to your love.
7. Journalling: Set aside time to journal together, reflecting on your journey as a couple, expressing gratitude for each other, and setting intentions for your future together.
8. Birdwatching: Bring along binoculars and a bird identification guide and spend some time on the day birdwatching – perfect if you’re near a nature reserve or eagle location
9. Cloud Watching: Enjoy the simplicity of watching the clouds go by as you lie on a soft blanket and getting lost in the beauty of the ever shifting skyscape.
10. Stone Skimming: Skimming stones on a still loch is an age-old pastime. It can be a fun challenge to see who can get the most skips out of their stone…
11. Forest Bathing: Take an intentional moment to immerse yourselves in the sight, sounds and scents of Scottish woodlands.
12. Reading Together: Choose a favorite book or poem and take turns reading aloud to each other, finding inspiration and comfort in the words as you celebrate your love amidst nature’s embrace.
13. Stargazing: Find a secluded spot away from city lights and spend the evening stargazing together, marveling at the vastness of the universe and the beauty of the night sky.
14. Admire Seasonal Flowers: Wander through glens and woodlands dotted with wildflowers – take in all the scents and colours of the season.
15. Loch Wading: Dip a toe in the water for a refreshing paddle (wading) without needing your swimming gear.
16. Set Your Oathing Stone Vows: If you’ve used an oathing stone in your ceremony then place it in water to set the vows into the stone for eternity.
17. Fishing: Enjoy this quiet pursuit in responsible fishing areas available widely in Scotland.

The Revellers

18. Pop Champagne: Embark on a challenging hike to the summit of a majestic mountain, conquering rocky trails together to reach breathtaking panoramic views at the peak.
19. Toss Confetti: Not just for big weddings, enjoy some nature-friendly confetti on your elopement day (I can give you advice on how to do this in a Leave No Trace way…)
20. Not-So-Slow Dance: First dances don’t have to be slow soppy songs. Bop along to your favourite upbeat tune if that’s more your style!
21. Boogie to a Scots Musician: Whether it’s a bagpiper, fiddle-player or clarsach-player – there are lots of local musicians to add beautiful folk music into your day.
22. Sing Together: If music is your love language, choose a song to sing together.
23. Highland Games: Celebrate the occasion by playing traditional Highland Games like caber tossing or hammer throw.
24. Get a Tattoo Together: A permanent celebration and reminder of your day to wear at all times.

The Adventure/Hiker Lovers

25. Mountain Summit Hike: Embark on a challenging hike to the summit of a majestic mountain, conquering rocky trails together to reach breathtaking panoramic views at the peak.
26. Add to a Stone Cairn: A Scots hiker tradition – add a stone to the top of a cairn (stone pile) marking the summit of a hill or mountain.
27. Waterfall Exploration: Seek out hidden waterfalls tucked away in remote forests or rugged landscapes, trekking through lush vegetation and rocky terrain to discover cascading torrents of water.
28. Play in the Snow: Embrace the winter wonderland with snow activities like snowboarding, skiing, sledging, building a snowman or a good ole’ snowball fight!
29. Kayaking/Canoeing/Paddle Boarding Adventure: Navigate scenic rivers, tranquil lakes, or rugged coastlines on a kayaking or canoeing adventure, exploring hidden coves, wildlife habitats, and pristine shorelines.
30. Zip-lining: Soar through the treetops on a zip-lining adventure in some of Scotland’s most scenic areas.
31. Morning Run: Lace up your running shoes and start your elopement day with an invigorating run through Scotland’s nature to shake off any elopement butterflies!
32. Mountain Biking: Take to the trails on a mountain biking expedition, navigating rocky descents, technical terrain, and thrilling singletrack routes through scenic wilderness areas.
33. Wildlife Watching: Embark on a wildlife watching expedition, searching for elusive creatures such as deer, eagles, and other native wildlife in their natural habitat.
34. Geo-caching: Embark on a high-tech treasure hunt with geocaching, using GPS coordinates to search for hidden caches and uncovering hidden gems in the great outdoors.
35. Tree Climbing: Channel your inner adventurer with a tree climbing experience, ascending towering trees and canopy platforms for a unique perspective of the forest canopy.
36. Trail Maintenance Volunteer Work: Give back to the trails you love by volunteering for trail maintenance work, helping to preserve and protect the natural beauty of the wilderness areas you’re eloping in.
37. Helicopter or Hot Air Balloon Ride: Hire an airborne form of transportation to see your elopement area from a view that hardly anyone gets to enjoy!
38. Tandem Bungee Jump: For adrenaline junkie couples – nothing says love like taking a leap of faith together!
39. Mountain Gondola Ride: Hop onto a gondola at one of our ski centres/mountain ranges to see a birds eye view of the area (without the hardcore hiking!).
40. Sauna: Start or end your day by hiring one of the increasingly popular beach/lochside sauna boxes, enjoy some traditional sauna rituals and run into the water after.
41. 4×4 Off-Roading Tour: Go off the beaten track by hiring a local ranger to drive you to places which are harder to access.
42. Hire a Motorbike / Bicycle / Scooter / Speedboat: Enjoy our best roads, trails and lochs in an alternative form of transportation!
43. Rock Climbing or Bouldering: Scotland has some wonderful spots for rock climbers/bouldering enthusiasts. Fancy abseiling in your finery? Heck yes!

The Foodies

44. Farm-to-Table Dining Experience: Indulge in a farm-to-table dining experience at a local restaurant or farm, where you can savor seasonal dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
45. Gourmet Picnic: Create a gourmet picnic basket filled with artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, fresh bread, and locally made treats, then find a scenic spot to enjoy a leisurely picnic together.
46. Whisky Tasting: Explore Scotland’s rich whisky heritage with a whisky tasting experience, sampling a selection of single malts, blends, and aged spirits at a local distillery or pub.
47. Craft Beer Tasting: Discover Scotland’s booming craft beer scene with a craft beer tasting tour, visiting microbreweries and taprooms to sample a diverse range of local brews.
48. Grab a Pint: If tours aren’t your thing, just head to a nearby pub for a refreshing pint and soak up the atmosphere.
49. Seafood Feast: Indulge in a seafood feast featuring fresh-caught Scottish seafood, such as lobster, langoustines, oysters, and smoked salmon.
50. High Tea: Treat yourselves to a traditional Scottish high tea experience, complete with delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of decadent pastries and cakes.
51. Foraging Expedition: Join a guided foraging expedition to gather wild ingredients from the Scottish countryside, such as wild mushrooms, berries, and herbs, then use your finds to create a gourmet meal together.
52. Farm Visit: Explore a local farm and learn about sustainable agriculture practices, animal husbandry, and organic farming methods, then enjoy a farm-fresh meal prepared with ingredients straight from the source.
53. Bothy Picnic/Drinks: Head to one of hundreds of Scotland’s remote pubic-access cottage shelters (bothies) to cook your lunch or heat up some water for a hot drink.
54. Wine Tasting: Discover Scottish wines with a wine tasting experience, sampling a selection of locally produced wines made from grapes grown in Scotland’s unique terroir.
55. Chocolate Tasting: Indulge your sweet tooth with a chocolate tasting experience, sampling handmade chocolates and truffles crafted by local chocolatiers using premium Scottish ingredients.
56. Bonfire Cookout: Gather around a crackling bonfire and cook a rustic outdoor feast together, grilling locally sourced meats, vegetables, and seafood over an open flame for a memorable al fresco dining experience.

The Wild Lovers

57. Wild Swimming Adventure: Dive into the pristine waters of Scottish lochs, rivers, and waterfalls for a wild swimming adventure, immersing yourselves in the natural beauty and serenity of the landscape.
58. Skinny Dip: Wild swimming but wilder…
59. Boudoir Photography Session: Artistically capture the intimate moments of sensuality and connection of your relationship with a boudoir session – indoors or outdoors!
60. Stargazing Camp-out: Set up camp in a remote wilderness location and spend the night stargazing together, marvelling at the brilliance of the night sky and counting shooting stars as they streak across the heavens.
61. Sunrise Yoga: Welcome the dawn with a sunrise yoga session in a picturesque outdoor setting, practicing gentle stretches and mindful breathing exercises to start your day with serenity and grace.
62. Candlelit Dinner Under the Stars: Set a romantic mood with a candlelit dinner under the stars, dining al fresco amidst the beauty of nature and savouring each bite as you toast to your love.
63. Fire Pit Ritual: Gather around a crackling fire pit and participate in a fire pit ritual, sharing stories, dreams, and intentions as you bask in the warmth and glow of the flames.
64. Treehouse Retreat: Escape to a secluded treehouse retreat for an off-grid experience that leaves you feeling connected to the nature around you.
65. Camping: Wake up on the morning of your elopement as close to nature as possible. Scotland has Freedom to Roam and wild camping is very popular.
66. Dawn Birdwatching: Rise early to greet the dawn with a dawn birdwatching expedition, spotting native bird species as they awaken to a new day in the wild.
67. Nature-inspired Body Painting: Embrace your wild side with nature-inspired body painting, using natural materials such as clay, mud, and pigments to adorn each other’s bodies with intricate designs inspired by the landscape.
68. Howling at the Moon: Embrace your inner wolf spirit. This is especially fun to do if you’re lucky enough for your elopement to fall on a full moon.
69. Aurora Chasing: If eloping in the North of Scotland, keep an eye on aurora alerts in the Winter season to maximise your chances of seeing this incredible phenomenon.
70. Meet Highland Coos: Go in search of these iconic creatures and say hello to our friendliest, fuzziest cows.

The Fantasy + Folklore Lovers

71. Castle Ceremony: Exchange vows in the grandeur of a historic Scottish castle, surrounded by centuries-old stone walls, majestic turrets, and sprawling grounds reminiscent of a fairytale.
72. Medieval Candlelit Meal: Enjoy an evening meal in historic settings reminiscent of medieval times – from castle dungeons to manor houses to restaurants hidden in the 15th century Royal Mile buildings.
73. Enchanted Forest Picnic: Escape to an enchanted forest for a whimsical picnic amidst towering trees, dappled sunlight, and moss-covered glades, where fairy folk are said to dance beneath the branches.
74. Mermaid Cove Adventure: Discover a secluded cove along the rugged coastline where mermaids are said to dwell, exploring tide pools, hidden caves, and sandy shores in search of magical treasures.
75. Search for Nessie: Stand on the shore of Loch Ness and seek to spot the elusive monster that lurks in the deep dark waters.
76. Fairy Glen Adventure: Explore enchanting landscapes such as the Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye, wandering among mystical rock formations and emerald-green hillsides.
77. Secret Garden Ceremony: Say “I do” in a secret garden hidden away from the world, where there’s blooming flowers, winding pathways, and lush greenery.
78. Elven-style Woodland Retreat: Retreat to woodlands worthy of rivalling Lothlorien where ancient trees whisper secrets of old, falls flow through enchanted rocky streams, and shafts of sunlight dance through the canopy like golden threads.
79. Enchanted Lochside Ceremony: Exchange vows beside a tranquil loch – a romantic backdrop for your fairy tale elopement.
80. In Search of Spirits: With a history as rich (and dark) as Scotland’s, we have our fair share of ghostly sites to visit.
81. Journey with Fire Torches / Lanterns: Nothing says fantasy adventure quite like holding a traditional light source as the last of the light fades.
82. Visit Standing Stones: We can’t guarantee you’ll be transported to a different time if you touch one but it might be worth trying…
83. Leave A Token for the Fae Folk: Honour the fae by leaving a natural token as a gift.
84. Cloak Up: If you’re a secret Hobbit or maybe a hedgewitch then accessorise with a cloak which is as practical as it is magnificent.
85. Filming Locations Adventure: Follow the footsteps of your favourite characters. Whether it’s Harry Potter, Outlander, Stardust etc. there are plenty of film + tv filming locations that are worth visiting in Scotland on your elopement.
86. Add to the Clootie Well: Tie a scrap of natural fabric to a tree within a Clootie Well as an offering to the fae in exchange for good health and prosperity.
87. Visit the Kelpies: Don’t worry, we won’t go searching for the dark creatures themselves but you can wander around the giant statues of the Kelpies which are particularly enchanting at night when lit up.
88. Explore Ancient Ruins: Wander amongst the rich long history of Scotland by exploring castle ruins, forts and even Pictish sites.

The Shy / Quiet Lovers

89. Candlelit Dinner for Two: Set up a romantic candlelit dinner in a cosy corner of your accommodation, complete with soft music, flickering candles, and your favourite gourmet dishes.
90. Watch Fire Crackling: Hire a cottage with a woodburner so you can cuddle up with your partner at the end of the day and just enjoy the peacefulness of a fire.
91. Reading Aloud Together: Choose a favourite book or poem and take turns reading aloud to each other, losing yourselves in the words and stories as you share moments of quiet intimacy.
92. Secluded Cabin Getaway: Escape to a secluded cabin in the woods for a cozy retreat, where you can spend the day snuggled up by the fire, sipping hot cocoa, and enjoying each other’s company in peaceful seclusion.
93. Sketching or Painting: Bring along sketchbooks or watercolor paints and capture the beauty of your surroundings through art, creating personalised mementos of your elopement day.
94. Lighthouse Adventure: Explore a remote lighthouse perched on a rocky coastline, where you can climb to the top and enjoy sweeping views of the sea and sky in peaceful solitude.
95. Seashell Collecting: Take a leisurely walk along the shore and collect seashells, driftwood, and other treasures washed up by the tide, creating mementos of your quiet beachside adventure.
96. Plant a Tree: Create a legacy in nature by planting a tree that can be visited by generations to come.
97. Read Letters from Family/Friends: Take a moment to read letters of well-wishes from loved ones at any point and place during your elopement day.
98. Play your Favourite Board Games: Wind down your elopement evening by playing some games together, just like you enjoy doing at home.
99. Look into Each Other’s Eyes: This might not sound like an activity but there is nothing more powerful than intentionally taking a few moments to lock eyes, hold hands and reflect on everything which has passed and yet to come.
100. Hire a Classic Car: Head off on quiet single-track roads through dramatic scenery in style by hiring a classic car to suit your style!
101. Take a Bath/Get in a Hot Tub Together: Put on the bubbles… open a bottle of a different kind of bubbles, pop on a favourite playlist and enjoy hanging out with each other.

Prioritising your experience

When choosing what to do on your elopement day in Scotland

Your elopement experience comes first.

I’d be a bad photographer if I didn’t think photos on your day were important but they are meaningless if you didn’t enjoy the moments themselves. If those moments didn’t feel aligned with who you are and what you wanted from your day. Or were hollow gestures. So whilst there are A LOT of different activities or rituals you can choose to include in your day, this is a reminder that you don’t have to do *all* the things. Leave some space to just enjoy and savour – using this list as a way to inspire you to figure out what really speaks to you. Even if that means just simply enjoying the sights and sounds of Scotland. It can be as elaborate or as minimalist as you’d like it to be.

This is where I come in – I gently encourage you to really think about how you want to spend your times. Making those decisions intentionally – whilst giving you practical advice and offering suggestions (based on what I’ve learned about you both in our time spent planning).

I help couples design a day that truly feels like a reflection of them. And if you’d like to find out more about working with me then please…