Isle of Skye Elopement Photographer for Wild & Adventurous Hearts

Isle of Skye elopement photographer Ieva standing among tall grass

My name is Ieva and I am an Isle of Skye elopement photographer. Even though I have traveled all over Scotland to capture eloping couples, the Isle of Skye remains the place where my heart feels most at rest and where I would love to live one day. There is a wide variety of beautiful elopement locations in the island - whether you want to elope with stunning views, between mountains, by the sea or ancient castle ruins, I truly believe that there is something in Skye for everyone.

Why should you elope to the Isle of Skye? 

Eloping couple embracing in Isle of Skye

Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing
Onward! The sailors cry
Carry the lad that's born to be King
Over the sea to Skye

The famous Skye Boat Song which has been recently adapted as the intro music to the hit series Outlander captures the feeling of this iconic Scottish island perfectly. A mix of sea and sky, water and mountains, stunning views & cosy cottages. Isle of Skye is my favourite place in Scotland and I absolutely adore capturing elopements there - so much so that during the elopement season it often becomes my second home.

Skye is an extremely popular elopement destination and no wonder. It is very easily accessible since in the last few decades a beautiful bridge was built to connect it to the mainland, yet still has that remote, outlandish charm of a Scottish island. It’s a fairly large island with lots of locations to choose from for your elopement ceremony & portraits and some really great suppliers living & working on the island. Skye is truly an eloper’s dream and I’m excited to sing its praises to whoever will listen!

The Best Isle of Skye Elopement Photography Locations

 
View of Loch Coruisk

Loch Coruisk

If you are looking for a very unique location for your elopement, coupled with an amazing adventure and seeing some wildlife on the way, Loch Coruisk could be the perfect place for you to exchange vows. This location is only reachable by boat from Elgol in the South of the island. Misty Isle Boat Trips offer boat trips to this very secluded location which allows you to spend between 30 minutes and up to seven hours ashore depending on which type of trip you select. You will get amazing photos of yourself on the boat enjoying the adventure and potentially seeing seals, dolphins, various sea birds (I saw all of those when I took this trip) and then have an elopement ceremony in the most EPIC scenery, surrounded by the Cuillin mountains. This one is high on my bucket list!

The Quiraing

One of the most iconic Skye locations which you will likely see in every travel blog for the island. An incredible landslide that formed a landscape so outlandish you may feel like you are dreaming. There is a long hiking trail that reveals more and more amazing views as you go: of water, mountains and endless skies. This is also the ideal location if you have guests attending your elopement who cannot walk too far as amazing views can be found just a short walk away from the car park.

Fairy Glen

The name of Fairy Glen instantly makes you think of fairytales and the real place is much the same. This valley with bizarre geological formations - little conic hills and towers made of rock, a fallen tree that’s still blooming and growing leaves and many other beautiful features has a complete serenity about it. It is also only a very short drive away from the Quiraing so if you are eloping in the latter location, stopping at the Fairy Glen for some photos on the way back is a must!

View of Dunscaith Castle in Sleat Peninsula

Sleat Peninsula

Located in the South East of the island, Sleat Peninsula is a hidden gem with beautiful castle ruins and secluded beaches with water so bright blue you may think you are by the Mediterranean. Eloping in this area has many benefits - a considerable one being the fact that you will bump into much fewer tourists and may even have a lot of locations completely for yourself! The mountains still remain an important feature here as in many places you can see them towering across the other side of the bay. 

Sligachan

With the impressive Cuillin mountains towering in the background, Sligachan is truly a stunning location combining riverside, hiking trails and an ancient bridge with the ever-present mountains in the background. It is a great location for mysterious blue-hour photos and I love using this location with some lanterns to add to the ambiance. While in the photo above you cannot see the mountains as it was shot during a storm, I felt that it really conveyed the atmosphere of the place.

View of Old Man of Storr in Isle of Skye

Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is another one of those incredibly well-known features of Skye that nevertheless is anything but underrated. To get to the amazing views at the top you will need to hike for around 30-40 minutes but I promise it is definitely worth it! The only downside to this location is that it is not easily accessible for those struggling with mobility issues but if you are fairly agile, visiting the Storr is a must!

The Fairy Pools

The Fairy Pools is another iconic location in Skye. Situated in the South West of the island, just a 20 minute drive from Sligachan, it is a beautiful collection of little waterfalls and pools at the foot of Cuillin mountains which make for a jaw-dropping backdrop. During the day it can get super busy with visitors so visiting early in the morning and on weekdays is highly recommended to take full advantage of this magical place.

View of Neist Point in Isle of Skye

Neist Point

Neist Point is the most westerly point of the island and a very popular location to watch sunsets on Skye. This uniquely shaped peninsula, jutting out into the sea, is beautiful in itself but the lighthouse located on the point adds even more beauty and charm to it. If visiting in summer, be prepared for very late sunsets and defending from the midges (Scottish mini mosquitoes if you will) so I would recommend visiting in spring or autumn if possible.

Elgol

Situated in the South East of the Island, Elgol is a stunning location with beaches overlooking the aqua blue sea, with the sharp peaks of Cuillin mountains rising across the water. You can have a private ceremony or photoshoot on Elgol beach or use this location as a starting point to travel to Loch Coruisk.

 

FAQs

  • Once I receive your enquiry, I typically will reply within 48 hours (check your spam in case you haven’t seen a reply in your inbox!) and confirm if I’m available on your date if you have one set already. The next step will be to arrange a video call so we can get to know each other and see if we’re a good fit. If you decide to go ahead with the booking, I will send you a contract to sign as well as payment details for the deposit and remaining balance payments. Once I receive the signed contract and the deposit, your booking will be secured and we can get planning!

  • For elopements and intimate weddings, I will normally send a small “sneak peek” gallery within the week after the wedding so you have some memories to share with family & friends straightaway. The full gallery can take up to 60 days or less, depending on how busy I am that month.

  • In Scotland it is likely to rain on any given season and the weather is impossible to predict in advance. However, the good news is that the rain doesn’t ruin your elopement photos - in fact, most of the time it even enhances them, adding that dramatic mood and lighting that creates truly incredible cinematic images. So I always encourage my clients to embrace it and dance in the rain (both literally and metaphorically!). It’s always a good idea to have some warm dry clothes in the car to change into after we finish shooting as well.

  • Absolutely! I have a great deal of experience with elopements and know of a lot of incredible vendors that I can recommend to help you make your day as wonderful, fun and unique as you are!