Beautiful Beaches Near Edinburgh for Photos, Fossils & Family Adventures
Explore my website and you’ll realise I have a bit of a love affair with water, especially the marine world. I love when I get to photograph near water, it just makes my heart sing! Beaches, harbours, islands and rocky shorelines have always lured me to them. In 2023 I lived my dreams, swimming with a huge school of hammerhead sharks, also marine iguanas, penguins, sea lions and so much more in the Galápagos Islands. Closer to home, I love finding the best wildlife spots!
The sea cocoons Scotland and, if you enjoy marine biology, wild swimming, rock pooling and beachcombing as much as I do, I think you'll love these locations.
You don't need to travel far from Edinburgh to find incredible coastal adventures. There are many beautiful beaches within an hour of Edinburgh, making them perfect for family days out, holiday adventures, romantic walks and, of course, PHOTOSHOOTS 😊.
Whether you're visiting Scotland, planning a family adventure, looking for somewhere special to propose, or simply searching for beautiful places to explore, here are some of my favourite beaches near Edinburgh.
Why Are Beaches So Good For Photoshoots?
Beaches are one of my favourite places to photograph people because they naturally encourage everyone to relax, the light is beautiful and because who doesn’t love a beach!
Children jump waves, hunt for shells and explore rock pools. Couples wander hand in hand. Dogs race through the sand. Nobody feels like they're standing in a studio being told to smile.
The best photos often happen when people are simply enjoying themselves.
Beach photoshoots are perfect for:
✔ Family adventures
✔ Couple sessions
✔ Engagement shoots
✔ Vacation photography
✔ Maternity photoshoots
✔ Elopement weddings
✔ Multi-generation family gatherings
There's also something magical about Scottish beaches. One moment you can be exploring ancient volcanic rocks, the next standing beneath a castle or watching seals bask on the shore.
Which Beach Near Edinburgh Is Best for Families?
If you're visiting Edinburgh with children, I'd recommend:
Portobello Beach for sand, promenades and ice cream near the city
Crail for rock pools, fossil hunting and a cute historic fishing village
St. Andrews for sand with historic buildings and ice cream
North Queensferry for bridge views and playparks close to the city
North Berwick for a fun days out at the seaside
Inchcolm Island for a full-day adventure close to the city
Each offers something different, but all work beautifully for family days out and family photoshoots.
What Is The Best Beach Near Edinburgh?
Mmm.. that all depends what kind of adventure you're looking for?
Here are some of my favourites.
Portobello Beach
Edinburgh's famous city beach is one of the easiest coastal escapes in Scotland – also one of the first places Charles Darwin’s carried out some early biological observations.
Just a short journey on the no. 26 bus from the city centre, Portobello combines a huge sandy beach with Victorian charm, cafés, ice cream shops and a long promenade.
It's fantastic for families and works beautifully for relaxed photoshoots.
One of my favourite wedding memories was photographing Louise and Andy's beach wedding here. They were determined to get married on the sand whatever the weather, and true to Scottish form, they embraced every gust of wind and sea spray.
Their ceremony perfectly captured why I love Scotland's coast so much.
North Queensferry
As my local village, North Queensferry has a very special place in my heart.
A pretty pier, sandy or rocky beaches, a great playpark, winding lanes and incredible views of the Forth Bridges makes it one of the most distinctive coastal locations for photoshoots near Edinburgh. Also, I know the secret spots for the best shots 😉
The iconic red UNESCO Forth Bridge creates a backdrop unlike anywhere else in Scotland.
Dalmeny and Hopetoun Estate
If you love combining beaches, woodland and bridge views, the Dalmeny or Hopetoun Estates in South Queensferry are good choices.
Beautiful wooded coastal paths wind through woodland before opening onto quiet beaches with views across the Forth.
You can also explore views of Dalmeny House, Barnbougle Castle (Dalmeny Estate), Hopetoun House and Midhope Castle (Hopetoun Estate). Barnbougle Castle is one of my favourite wedding venues in Scotland with it’s private beach and coastal views.
Yellowcraig Beach
Yellowcraig often tops lists of Scotland's best beaches, and for good reason.
Huge skies, golden sand and views towards Fidra Island create a landscape that feels wonderfully wild.
Children love exploring the driftwood and dunes, while photographers adore the ever-changing light.
North Berwick
North Berwick combines a vibrant seaside town with some spectacular beaches and fun boat trips.
The views towards Bass Rock are iconic, especially if you're interested in wildlife. The rock is home to one of the world's largest northern gannet colonies and is a dream destination for nature lovers.
Aberdour Beaches
Aberdour is an easy train ride from Edinburgh, arriving at a picturesque old village station. There are several lovely beaches and coastal paths, including Silver Sands and Black Sands. It’s a great place to find some nice shops, bakeries and pubs too.
I love Black Sands beach as it’s wonderful for a family session with rock pools, sand and views of Inchcolm Island. You can also visit Aberdour castle if you want to add some history into your day too. It’s a great castle which is quite a relaxed visitor experience so fantastic to explore with kids.
Pettycur Bay
Pettycur Bay and Kinghorn Beach are great for wildlife lovers, accessible by train, Kinghorn has become well known for it’s passionate whale-watching community and dolphins are frequently spotted from Pettycur Bay or walk up the hill to the whale bench to meet some of the local whale spotting community. Off Kinghorn beach you’ll also find some good snorkelling around the harbour.
Elie Beach
Elie is famous for it’s amazingly vast beach and its Chain Walk – a adventurous route along the low cliffs holding onto chains. The Ship Inn is a popular spot for enjoying the view and having a bite to eat and drink. A short walk along the coast and you’ll also find Lady Janet Anstruther's Tower – a ruined 18th century tower.
Crail Harbour
The tiny village of Crail holds a special place in my heart, it has the prettiest little harbour on the East Neuk, a cute sandy beach and a brilliant rocky beach perfect for rock pooling and fossil hunting.
St Andrews Beaches
St Andrews offers several very different beach experiences.
West Sands, St Andrews
Famous from Chariots of Fire, West Sands stretches for almost two miles and feels wonderfully expansive. It’s a great place to walk, paddle, surf and enjoy views across St. Andrews.
Castle Sands, St. Andrews
Small but dramatically set below the ruined castle. It’s perfect swimming.
East Sands, St. Andrews
Situated beside the harbour and the ruined cathedral, it’s a great spot for families to enjoy the beach in a smaller more sheltered setting than West Sands. It’s a great spot for photos as there are lots of different areas to explore.
🛥️Looking for Something More Adventurous? Visit Inchcolm Island
The Most Unique Coastal Day Trip Near Edinburgh - Inchcolm Island
If you're looking for a photoshoot that feels like a real adventure, Inchcolm Island is one of my favourite hidden gems in the Firth of Forth. As a kid it was one of my favourite days out!
The journey begins with a boat trip from South Queensferry, passing beneath the iconic Forth Bridges before arriving on an island that feels completely removed from the bustle of Edinburgh.
Inchcolm is famous for it’s beautifully preserved medieval abbey and wildlife, but what I love most is the feeling of exploration. Children can scramble across rocky shorelines, search for marine life in rock pools, watch seabirds overhead and discover hidden corners of the island while parents enjoy the incredible sea views.
As someone who has always been fascinated by marine biology, islands like Inchcolm are endlessly interesting. The waters around the island are rich in wildlife and it's usual to spot seals during the crossing and occasionally, if you’re super, super lucky, whales and dolphins.
📸 Why it works so well for photos
Rather than a traditional photoshoot, Inchcolm lends itself perfectly to a storytelling adventure session.
Instead of standing and posing, your family can spend the day exploring together while I quietly document the experience:
Catching the boat across the Forth
Looking for seals from the deck
Exploring the abbey ruins
Rock pooling and beachcombing
Sharing a picnic with incredible sea views
Discovering the island's hidden corners
The result is a gallery that captures not just how you looked, but how the day felt.
For families visiting Scotland, it creates the kind of memories that become part of your holiday story for years to come (contact me about organising an extended family shoot)
Can You Get Married on a Beach in Scotland?
One of the wonderful things about Scotland is that legal wedding ceremonies can take place almost anywhere with permission and an authorised celebrant.
That means beaches, islands, woodlands and mountaintops can all become wedding venues. Inchcolm Island is an epic option!
I've photographed beach weddings in Edinburgh and beach elopements on Scotland's west coast, and they always feel wonderfully adventurous.
If you're considering a beach wedding, I'll be publishing a dedicated guide very soon.
Which Beaches Near Edinburgh Have Castle Views?
For anyone who loves history as much as the sea, Scotland offers some incredible combinations.
My favourite for a beach with a castle view is Blackness beach, it is up the river estuary so it’s not as good for swimming and paddling but it has amazing views of the iconic Blackness Castle. I’d also recommend exploring St. Andrews Castle Beach or Tantallon Castle near North Berwick.
Alternatively get the boat to Inchcolm Island and explore the cute beaches on the Island with Abbey behind you (depending on the year, beach access may be limit by wildlife as the island is an RSPB sanctuary)
Combining castles and coastlines creates some of the most uniquely Scottish landscapes you'll find anywhere.
My Favourite Beaches for Photoshoots Near Edinburgh
Best for families
Portobello
Crail
North Berwick
Best for couples
Yellowcraig
North Queensferry
St. Andrews
Best for visitors to Scotland
Crail
St Andrews
Inchcolm Island
Best for adventure lovers
Inchcolm Island
Pettycur Bay
Elie - Chain Walk
Planning Your Own Coastal Adventure?
Whether you're visiting Scotland for a holiday, celebrating a special occasion or simply want to capture some memories together, I'd love to help.
Some of my favourite photographs happen beside the sea — windswept hair, sandy feet, laughter and all.
And if you love discovering Scotland's hidden corners, don't miss my guides to The Hermitage in Perthshire, to the Best Locations in Edinburgh and Fife or to beautiful castles near Edinburgh.
📸 Planning a family or couples trip in Scotland?
💍 Planning an elopement or intimate wedding?