Scottish Highlands: A Romantic Retreat

There is nothing more romantic than the beauty of natural scenery, and my recent trip to the stunning Scottish Highlands got me thinking about how Scotland has the perfect landscape for a romantic retreat, and is maybe even one of the worlds’ best wedding venues.

Don’t get too excited: this does not mean that a wedding is on the cards for me just yet, but weddings away from traditional churches are big business these days. Every bride wants her day to be perfect, and an integral part of that is having a gorgeous set of pictures to remind her of the long-awaited day. I visited Scotland with a friend this time, but I will return for a romantic weekend one day.

Lakes

I attended a wedding a few years ago where the ceremony was conducted at the side of one of Sweden’s many lakes. The guests sat overlooking the water as the bride made her way down a long, winding natural ‘aisle’. Bride and Groom exchanged vows to the sound of birdsong and the lapping of the water on the shore. I remembered thinking that it was a gorgeous setting to declare your love for somebody.

With so many delightful clear-water lochs, such as Loch Morar pictured below, Scotland offers plenty to choose from.

Waterfalls

There has been something quintessentially romantic about waterfalls ever since Daniel Day Lewis declared ‘I will find you’ to Madeleine Stowe underneath a gushing fall in ‘Last of the Mohicans’, and whether the fall is large or small, they are always magical. The falls at the fairy pools on Skye are usually fuller than they were when I visited in February, but they were still just as pretty.

Mountain

Mountains instill emotional feelings of wonder in all but the most hard-hearted, so what better place to escape to with the person you love? Mountains might not be the first thing that visitors to Great Britain think of, yet the Scottish Highlands pay more than a passing resemblance to Norway or Switzerland. One of my favourite parts of my trip was driving through gorgeous Glencoe.

Castles

Castles have become a popular wedding venue choice in recent years, and it is not difficult to see why. Wedding and Reception can be held at the same place, and guests can even stay over after the ceremony. Castles are often located in picturesque locations, which are sure to make any wedding extra special.

Beach

It’s true that Scotland does not enjoy a tropical climate, but there are some beautiful beaches that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean. I personally think that a stroll along a deserted beach on a cold and windy day, is much more romantic than a beach packed full of tourists and sun-worshippers—and you are much less likely to get sunburn!

What do you think? Would you consider Scotland as a romantic retreat? Have you ever attended a wedding in an outdoor setting? Where was it? Was it the perfect wedding? Did you have your own wedding outdoors? I would love to hear your stories.