Scotland Elopement at the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye
Jolene & Mark's wedding day was almost a year ago but their elopement on the Isle of Skye in Scotland is still one of the greatest adventures I've ever photographed! They and their close family & friends traveled from the US for an amazing experience in the Scottish Highlands in August of 2023.
They began their wedding day at the Bracken Hide Hotel near the town of Portree, which has a unique set of cabins nestled into the hillside with an amazing view of the harbor and sheep freely roaming. They got to sleep in after a long day of traveling the day before (and drinking with the hotel chef and his wife until late in the night) and then had a chill morning with their friends preparing for the day. Jo did her makeup while watching her favorite makeup artist on YouTube, and then one of her bridesmaids braided her hair as she sat on the floor. It very much reminded me of slumber parties and getting ready for dances with friends, so I loved that moment for them <3
Jo & Mark chose to be married by the Fairy Pools, just a short drive from town on the Isle of Skye, and the mountains of the Black Cuillin made an stunning and unique backdrop for their event! As is expected in Scotland, we did experience a bit of rain during their ceremony but were prepared for the moment with umbrellas and rain jackets, which is mandatory when you're planning a wedding in this country.
Side Note: You must have a flexible mentality when it comes to elopements because you never know when things will need to change at the last minute. Originally the plan was for everyone to hike the trail to the Fair Pools and have their ceremony there, but due to mobility issues that some family members were experiencing we made a very last-minute change to have the ceremony right by the parking area so that everyone could be present. They had offered to stay behind, but it was easy to sacrifice a bit of what was envisioned so that they could be a part of the moment. And we still had access to that beautiful backdrop we had hoped for!
After the ceremony, many guests joined Mark & Jo on the trail to see the Fairy Pools. The gloomy rain clouds sitting on top of the mountains are the type of scenery that fuels me, and I'm so happy to have captured those as a part of the couple's portraits. The weather began gloomy, but the sun made a very surprising appearance for us, which was a perfect time for the two of them to take a dip in the water! We had passed quite a few people who had come there to soak in the waters of the pools (the lore behind this place is intriguing!) and it only felt right that Jo & Mark dip their toes in too. Well, more like have a water fight, but what better way to start a marriage than by splashing each other with magical water??
To celebrate afterward, everyone went to the Seumas's Bar in Sligachan for dinner and drinks. However, we did pop outside after dinner for a few pictures on the famous Sliigachan Bridge at sunset. It was a quick moment though because the midges (kind of like mosquitoes with teeth) were devouring us, so if you come to Scotland don't forget to find midge spray when you arrive there!
To end the evening, anyone who wasn't already exhausted from the long day went to their accommodations, changed, and then hit up a festival in Portree for the remainder of the night! And after a few days of exploring Scotland alone, Jo & Mark headed off to Iceland (if my memory serves me right) to end an unforgettable wedding adventure together!
If you're considering Scotland for your wedding destination, read my post on How To Get Married in Scotland, then fill out the contact form below to ask questions or schedule a phone/video consult to brainstorm ideas on planning your dream wedding day!
Hey there! I'm Carly - The owner of Wild North Weddings and a photographer specializing in documenting weddings and elopements across the U.S. If you love the idea of a wedding with adventure, excitement, and a little romance sprinkled in, let's talk about how I can help you create and capture the wedding day of your dreams!
