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Nearly one in five Scots has said ‘I do’ to a hen or stag do abroad

Bank of Scotland
Published on: 20 June 2025
-4 min read
  • 19% of Scottish people have been on a hen or stag do abroad, 5 percentage points higher than the UK average
  • A further 29% happy to attend one in the future
  • 27% are willing to spend between £300 and £499 on flights and accommodation for an abroad hen or stag
  • 41% of Scottish people agree with the statement ‘what happens on a hen or stag do, stays on a hen or stag do’

 

When it comes to celebrating the end of a bride or groom’s single life, it seems a simple trip to the local pub with some rudely shaped straws doesn’t quite cut it anymore. The modern hen and stag do is no longer just a night out – it’s a full-blown getaway.

As the summer wedding season heats up, new Bank of Scotland research finds 19% of people living in Scotland have been on a hen or stag do abroad, 5 percentage points higher than the UK average, and a further 29% are happy to do so in the future.

Accommodation

For those who have or would attend a stag or hen abroad, in terms of accommodation, a self-catering apartment was the most desired choice for an abroad hen or stag (25%), followed by a self-catering villa (23%), self-catering hotel (21%) and an all-inclusive hotel (19%). Only 4% of respondents said they would like to stay in the more budget-friendly choice of a hostel.

Expenses

Over a quarter of respondents said they’d be willing to spend between £300and £499 on their flights and accommodation for an abroad hen or stag (27%), with 26% of respondents happy to spend up to £300. 

Over a third of respondents said they’d be willing to spend a further £300 (38%) on activities. 

Who’s paying and how

While 33% of people believe the bride or groom should pay to attend their own hen or stag do, over a third think they should pay to attend but be treated by the rest of the group to some activities during the event (38%). 15% of generous respondents believe the bride or groom shouldn’t have to pay at all and the rest of the group should cover their costs.

When it comes to paying for activities, nearly half prefer to use their debit card (46%). Cash remains a popular choice too, with 41% opting for physical currency. Specific travel spending cards were the least popular choice, with only 19% using one, perhaps reflecting the increasing popularity of debit and credit card accounts, such as Bank of Scotland’s Silver Account, which offers fee free debit card spending abroad.

“What happens on a hen or stag do…”

It seems the age-old saying “what happens on a hen or stag do, stays on the hen or stag do” divides Scotland. While 41% of all Scottish adults either tend to, or strongly agree, with the sentiment, a slightly larger share – 42% – either tend to, or strongly, disagree. The remaining 17% are unsure, suggesting a shift in attitudes toward transparency or perhaps the advancement of the watching eye of smartphone cameras. 

Dream destinations and accommodations 

In wider research amongst those who have or would attend a stag or hen abroad, Las Vegas, known for being the wedding capital of the world, topped the list for Brit’s dream destination to be invited on a hen or stag do to alongside Italy. However, over half of people said they'd only be willing to travel as far as Europe (58%).

The most popular dream destinations for a hen or stag do abroad:

1. Las Vegas, USA & Italy 

2. Spain (excl. Ibiza)

3. Greece 

4. Ibiza, Spain

The least desired location was Benidorm, with 1 in 10 UK respondents (12%) listing the Spanish beach resort as their worst-case invite.

“We’ve seen a real shift in how people approach pre-wedding celebrations. It's no longer just about a night at the pub, it’s about creating unforgettable experiences abroad. With travelling abroad more convenient than ever, it’s no surprise nearly a fifth of Scots have taken advantage of great deals to celebrate with their loved ones on holiday. We’re making it easier for our customers to enjoy stress-free travel with our wide range of travel tools, including fee-free spending abroad and travel insurance through our Silver and Platinum accounts.

Tamara van den Ban Customer Propositions DIrector at Bank of Scotland

I have been on three stag do’s abroad, including my own! My stag do and one other were both in Portugal, then earlier this year I organised one for a friend in Galway, Ireland. We’ve mainly stayed in self-catering accommodation; you tend to have some of your own space and it works out cheaper being able to eat in some days. One of the hardest bits about organising a stag is finding dates that work for lots of people, inevitably there’s always someone who can’t make it. There’s also a pressure to make sure it’s an amazing experience whilst also suiting everyone’s budgets. I've been on a few stag do's both local and abroad and I would say the costs were pretty similar. If you can find a location with regular, cheap-ish flights then that's half the battle. Accommodation abroad can be quite reasonable and sometimes cheaper than staying in the UK - plus I think people don't mind paying a little extra for some sunshine. My stag do in Albuifera was over five nights and felt more like a holiday with mates with a stag do in the middle. In my opinion, a stag do abroad can definitely be affordable and sometimes cheaper than staying in the U.K.

Scott MacDonald 35, Consultant, Livingston

 

Bank of Scotland Silver Package Account features:

Fee free spending abroad

  • Make payments in a foreign currency
  • Take out money in any currency from a cash machine at home or abroad
  • Take out money over the counter abroad

European and UK travel insurance for customers aged up to 65

  • European and UK multi-trip travel insurance for customer’s and their family including winter sports cover
  • Covers cancellation, medical costs and personal belongings cover

AA breakdown family cover in the UK

  • Roadside assistance
  • Covers the account holder and eligible family members, not just the vehicle

Mobile phone insurance

 

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