elope!

elope!

Elope to Scotland!

Do you fancy something a little different for your Wedding or Civil Ceremony? Less frills and formality, and more intimate and personal? Have you had your legal ceremony elsewhere, but you wish to take private Vows in a place of history and spectacular beauty? Or, do you wish to re-take your Wedding Vows? If so, Elope to Scotland!

Scotland has a long history of couples eloping here. The 1754 Marriage Act in England and Wales, made it forbidden to marry without your parents’ consent if you were under the age of 21. Consequently young couples from south of the border would make the short trip over the border to Gretna Green to have a secret wedding!

Today it is still easier to get married in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, particularly if you wish to hold a Humanist ceremony. Humanist ceromonies are not recognised in England and Wales. And in Scotland we have perfect locations with majestic scenery – mountains, beaches and forests. Not to mention beautiful towns and cities and an abundance of accessible castles and historic sites. In Scotland you can get married anywhere, yes anywhere!

So lace your brogues and find out more…

Why do I want you to Elope to Scotland?!

Okay, you’re going to Elope to Scotland! This is a little different – for a start you’re running away and your going to elope to Scotland. I’m loving it!

You won’t have anybody telling you what to do. You won’t have a large entourage who need to be wined, dined and looked after. Your day is entirely your own!

Firstly, as a proud Scot I am deeply touched that there’s something about my country which makes you wish to Elope to Scotland for one of the most important days of your life. Therefore I want to share our traditions with you. I once read that being being “Scottish” is not a nationality, but a state of mind. In having you partake in our traditions, I look forward to welcoming you home!

The key thing with your Elopement Wedding is that it’s your day and you get to decide what to do. You maybe haven’t been to Scotland before and you’re uncertain of how to arrange an Elopement Wedding. I’m here to talk to you and give advice on every step of your journey. If you’re in Edinburgh before your ceremony, I’m happy to meet you, or you can schedule a video/phone call with me at any time of your convenience. Phone me as often you like. Ask as many questions as you like. I just want you to have an unforgettable elopement.

Scottish Elopement Ceremony

You won’t see another Wedding Celebrant dressed liked this!

Amy and Joel eloped to Scotland all the way from Savannah, Georgia. I was proud to officiate and play the bagpipes for them at their Elopment Ceremony at the spectacular St Anothony’s Chapel, Edinburgh!

Locations and Right to Roam

Elope to Scotland Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie, Inverness-shire

Now even though I’m totally biased, Scotland offers offer the best scenery anywhere. Within a small area we have everything from mountains, beaches, moorlands, lochs, forests and all within easy access from our cities. There are too many historic abbeys and castles to name.

And here’s the best bit… You can access nearly all of this land and there’s nothing stopping you from holding your Elopement Wedding there!

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gave everybody rights of access to land and inland waterways throughout Scotland so long as you behave responsibly. This is known in Scotland as the Right to Roam.

There are some specific exclusions as you’d expect. You can’t just get hold your Elopement Wedding in my back garden without asking me, for example. However, the countryside and many of the multitude of ruined castles and abbeys, which are still quite magnificent are completely accessible.

Bagpiper for Elopement Wedding Isle of Skye The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

Now even though I’m totally biased, Scotland offers offer the best scenery anywhere. Within a small area we have everything from mountains, beaches, moorlands, lochs, forests and all within easy access from our cities. There are too many historic abbeys and castles to name.

And here’s the best bit… You can access nearly all of this land and there’s nothing stopping you from getting married there!

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gave everybody rights of access to land and inland waterways throughout Scotland so long as you behave responsibly. This is known in Scotland as the Right to Roam.

There are some specific exclusions as you’d expect. You can’t just get married in my back garden without asking me, for example. However, the countryside and many of the multitude of ruined castles and abbeys, which are still quite magnificent are completely accessible.

Elope to Scotland Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie, Inverness-shire

Bagpiper for Elopement Seacliff Beach Tantallon Castle from Seacliff Beach, East Lothian

Bagpiper for Elopement Wedding Isle of Skye The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

What can can I do to make your Elopement special?

Most weddings have a Wedding “Officiant” performing the ceremony and a bagpiper, well.., just playing the Bagpipes… But what if you could have your bagpiper playing the bagpipes and officiating your ceremony?

That’s what I can do for you!

If you’ve already held, or intend to hold your legal ceremony elsewhere, then I can officiate your Commitment Ceremony!

You’re not constrained by “protocols” required for a regular wedding, which may be pre-determined by an official or Wedding Coordinator telling you what do do! As well as performing the role of your Wedding Bagpiper, I perform many of the deeply symbolic rituals which have been performed at Scottish weddings for centuries. Sadly at regular Wedding Ceremonies, many of these are no longer performed due to the Officiant being unable to perform them, or determining that they don’t fit into the schedule.

I will create a unique Commitment Ceremony for you, incorporating the following into your Ceremony:

Your Scottish Elopement Ceremony

  • Your personal Bagpiper wearing the spectacular No.1 Full Highland Dress

  • Your Marriage Vows

  • Exchanging of Rings

  • Celtic Handfasting Ritual

  • Quaich Ceremony

  • Gift to the Bride

  • The traditional Piper’s Toast

The Celtic Hand-fasting Ritual

Most weddings have a Wedding “Officiant” performing the ceremony and a bagpiper, well.., just playing the Bagpipes… But what if you could have your bagpiper playing the bagpipes and officiating your ceremony?

That’s what I can do for you!

If you’ve already held, or intend to hold your legal ceremony elsewhere, then I can officiate your Commitment Ceremony!

You’re not constrained by “protocols” required for a regular wedding, which may be pre-determined by an official or Wedding Coordinator telling you what do do! As well as performing the role of your Wedding Bagpiper, I perform many of the deeply symbolic rituals which have been performed at Scottish weddings for centuries. Sadly at regular Wedding Ceremonies, many of these are no longer performed due to the Officiant being unable to perform them, or determining that they don’t fit into the schedule.

I will create a unique Commitment Ceremony for you, incorporating the following into your Ceremony:

Your Scottish Elopement Ceremony

  • Your personal Bagpiper wearing the spectacular No.1 Full Highland Dress

  • Your Marriage Vows

  • Exchanging of Rings

  • Celtic Handfasting Ritual

  • Quaich Ceremony

  • Gift to the Bride

  • The traditional Piper’s Toast

The Celtic Hand-fasting Ritual

How to get married in Scotland

M10 Marriage Notice short
A guide on the different types of Scottish marriage ceremonies, and the legal requirements and resources relating to what you need to do to hold a legally-binding Scottish marriage ceremony.

  • Vows Renewal – St Anthony’s Chapel

    Celebrant for Vows Renewal

    April 17, 2023

    Celebrant and Bagpiper for Vows Renewal Ceremony This sunny April day was the 10th wedding anniversary of German couple, Stefan and Manuela. They requested that I be their celebrant for their Vows Renewal on the day of their 10th wedding anniversary at the ruins of St Anthony's Chapel, and of course play the [...]