A laidback Glencoe elopement with one special guest

Alice and Scott Hinds-Barrie, plus their adorable miniature schnauzer Hamish, eloped to the Highlands on 7th March 2026

Bride and groom sharing a kiss with their schnauzer dog in front of Buachaille Etive Mòr during a Glencoe elopement photoshoot

Planning a big wedding wasn't for Alice and Scott. Instead, they chose an intimate Glencoe elopement where the only guest was their schnauzer, Hamish.

From a humanist ceremony surrounded by Highland scenery to meaningful rituals including handfasting and sharing a quaich, their relaxed Scottish wedding proves you don't need a long guest list to create unforgettable memories.

Bride and groom embracing with Buachaille Etive Mòr behind them after their romantic Glencoe elopement

Wedding highlights at a glance

Bride and groom celebrating with a joyful lift and kiss on a bridge in Glencoe after their Scottish elopement ceremony

Bride and groom with their schnauzer dog on a wooden bridge in Glencoe, wearing sunglasses against the dramatic Highland backdrop

Choosing a Glencoe elopement

Planning a wedding can be stressful – but for Alice and Scott, it was anything but.

“If our wedding had followed a theme, it would’ve been ‘laidback and relaxed’,” laughs the bride.

“Scott and I knew straight away that we wanted to elope. We just didn’t want any fuss.”

The couple – who got engaged last July – loved the idea of doing something that was just for them.

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Plus, neither particularly wanted to talk about their feelings in front of a big group of people. In fact, the only guest was their dog, Hamish.

Black and white portrait of bride and groom cuddling their schnauzer dog on a rock in Glencoe after their Scottish elopement

“Even with the best of intentions, weddings can become about other people’s wants, and we wanted our ceremony to be about taking the next step in our lives together,” explains Alice.

“At the same time, however, we knew we wanted to celebrate with our friends and family afterwards, so we split the wedding in two – the ceremony just for us, and then a big party a few weeks later on 21st March, with about 130 guests.”

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It was an easy decision to pick Glencoe as the setting for the ceremony.

Not only is it where the couple spent their first holiday together, it also gave Alice and Scott an incredible backdrop as they tied the knot.

Bride and groom wearing sunglasses on a wooden bridge in Glencoe, with their schnauzer dog and mountain scenery after their Scottish elopement

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“Getting married outdoors seemed like another perfect choice – and Scotland is the only place in the UK where you can do that,” the bride points out.

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And, of course, keeping in with their ‘theme’, lining up suppliers and accommodation was a pretty simple process.

“We found a local celebrant, Alyson Stewart, who recommended an amazing spot for us to marry, as well as a photographer.

"Then it was just a case of finding accommodation, so we had pretty much everything booked and organised by September.”

Bride and groom with their schnauzer dog in a Scottish woodland after their Glencoe elopement, with the groom wearing a kilt and the bride holding a pink and white bouquet

A humanist ceremony with handfasting and a quaich

After an early morning (including a walk with Hamish), Alice put together her own bouquet and Scott’s buttonhole before starting on her hair and makeup.

“It was a very DIY wedding!

"We got ready slowly – it was really special to spend that time together – our last morning as a couple before we became husband and wife.”

Close-up of the bride placing a wedding ring on the groom's finger during their outdoor Glencoe elopement ceremony

Bride pours whisky into a quaich during an outdoor Scottish wedding ceremony in a woodland setting in Glencoe

Bride and groom embracing beside a peaceful loch after their Glencoe elopement, with Scottish Highland scenery in the background.

The pair had arranged to meet the photographer and celebrant (and her husband, who was kind enough to act as the second witness) at the Glencoe Lochan car park.

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“We chose to do a handfasting and share a quaich as part of the ceremony. My favourite part was Alyson’s words about how Scott and I had found our anam cara – an Irish Gaelic phrase which means ‘soul friend’.

"I definitely shed a few tears!”

Bride and groom posing beside a loch in Glencoe after their Scottish elopement, with mountain views and a romantic bridal bouquet

Celebrating after their Glencoe elopement

Afterwards, they returned to their lodge, popped some champagne and broke the news with a selfie on Instagram.

“For us, the ceremony was about a marriage rather than a wedding, and that felt much more special. It was exactly what we wanted. The highlight was getting to marry my best friend.”

Bride and groom kissing in the dramatic Glencoe landscape after their Scottish elopement, surrounded by Highland mountains

Wedding suppliers

Photography Abrightside Photography
Celebrant Alyson Stewart, Humanist Society Scotland
Wedding dress Acler
Alterations Finnieston Alterations
Groomswear McCalls Highlandwear
Bouquet and buttonhole Made by the bride
Jewellery Gioielleria Marchi Carlo and Chisholm Hunter
Nails Jess at Bellini Nails