WELCOME TO
The Blog
15 Of The Best Photo Spots Edinburgh
Where are the best photo spots in Edinburgh for your city centre wedding? This handy little photo location guide to the top 15 photo spots in Edinburgh is here to help with photographs from real weddings as inspiration for your city centre adventure.
Where are the best photo spots in Edinburgh for your city centre wedding?
This handy little photo location guide is here to help with photographs from real weddings and a handy little map of city centre highlights. They are all close to the city centre & perfect to easily explore on your wedding day
Please let me know if you have a favourite place that you think should be added.
-
City Centre Map
1. St. Giles Cathedral
2. Edinburgh City Chambers
3. The Royal Mile
4. The Edinburgh Festival
5. Writer’s Museum
6. Riddles Court
7. John Knox’s House
8. Edinburgh Castle
9. Victoria Street
10. The Vennel
11. The Mound
12. Prince’s Street Gardens
13. Carlton Hill
14. Holyrood Park
15. St. Anthony’s Chapel
Useful Links
Let’s start at the heart…
St. Giles Cathedral
St. Giles is literally in the heart of Edinburgh, the Heart of Midlothian is a mosaic on the ground outside St. Giles. Although this sounds like a romantic place to stand, beware, it is thought to be good luck to spit on it (apologies for spoiling the romance with a rather yucky start to this guide).
Let’s skip past that part… St. Giles is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic buildings with it’s crown top a prominent part of Edinburgh’s skyline. I love exploring the pretty steps & doorways and I use it as a screen to take you away from the Royal Mile crowds into some of the quieter spaces behind.
2. Edinburgh City Chambers
Edinburgh’s City Chambers is a fantastically placed Registry Office, placed right outside St. Giles the chambers building is beautiful with its courtyard and sheltered arches (which have sheltered many weddings from Scotland’s weather over the years).
3. The Royal Mile
Talking about weather, around the city centre there are plenty more sheltered spots to explore around the royal mile, if the weather isn’t optimal. I have photographed in rain and fog around the city and it often just adds to the beauty.
When it rains the sandstone on the buildings darkens and the cobbled streets glisten and colours pop.
In the fog, everything looks old world-y and the diffuse light is beautifully flattering for portraits.
The Royal Mile links Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and has the majority of the best photo spots in Edinburgh, especially as there are many popular wedding venues on the mile or within walking distance.
St. Giles and the Chambers are on the high street part of the mile which is the most photographed part but boogle down some of the Close’s and you’ll find hidden gem’s such as Advocate’s Close with it’s brilliant views of the Scott’s Monument or Riddles Court’s with is beautiful courtyard.
4. The Edinburgh Festival
In the festival Edinburgh fills up and the Royal Mile is packed with crowds, buskers & entertainers. The atmosphere is electric. Walking down the Royal Mile in a wedding dress will always get cheers of friendly congratulations but in the festival, you will be hidden amongst the many crazy outfits of the performers vying for your attention.
Jemma and Alasdair got married during the busiest week of the festival and loved getting amongst the crowds for their photos.
5. The Writer’s Museum
Continuing up the Royal Mile from the High Street you reach the Lawnmarket which leads up the final stretch to the castle.
Just off the Lawnmarket you find Lady Stair’s House. The 17th century Lady Stair’s House is home to the writer’s museum, I love exploring the peaceful courtyard and the cute lamposts.
6. Riddles Court
Riddles Court is one of my favourite Edinburgh buildings. I love the orange façade & pentice stair. I can imagine the king holding his banquet’s there in the 16th century. It’s tucked away off the lawn market. It’s so hidden, few tourist’s find it so it’s the perfect place for some quiet photos with some stunning unique architecture.
7. John Knox’s House
Further down the High Street, just before you enter the Cannongate part of the Royal Mile you get to John Knox’s House. Parts of the building date back to the 15th century building and it now houses the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
It’s a little off route and on a busy part of road on the Royal Mile but it is one the oldest buildings in Edinburgh and very picturesque.
8. Edinburgh Castle
The temptation is to go the castle for wedding photos but unfortunately if you have a wedding dress on, they won’t let you onto the castle esplanade (unless you are getting married there) but really the best spots are a wee walk away, venture to the Vennel or the Ross Fountain for the perfect castle pic.
9. Victoria Street
Victoria Street is famous as the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. This cute little street has some brilliant little shops and links the Royal Mile to the historic Grassmarket where you can get a brilliant view of Edinburgh Castle.
10. The Vennel
Just off the Grassmarket you can climb up the Vennel Steps and get one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle. If you’re really lucky you might get a congratulations from the author Ian Rankin who was passing by during Maria & Rhys’s wedding, we’re waiting to see if they appear as characters in a Rebus novel.
11. The Mound
If you walk down from the Lawnmarket you will get to the Mound and enter into Edinburgh’s New Town.
The architecture completely changes as you enter the straight streets and Georgian architecture of the New Town and see the statement pillars of the galleries.
You’ll be surrounded by the hustle and bustle of shoppers on Princes’ Street. From here you can also explore Prince’s Street gardens and get some great views of Edinburgh Castle.
12. Prince’s Street Gardens & Ross’s Fountain
Prince’s Street gardens run along the whole length of Prince’s Street and have some amazing views of the city & the castle. At the east end of the garden’s, you’ll find the Ross Fountain area which is a great place for a pic with Edinburgh Castle.
13. Carlton Hill
Carlton Hill is the best place in Edinburgh to get panoramic views across the city or to enjoy sunrise or sunset. It’s a bit further away from the Old Town so you will need transport to get to there. If you chose to walk, it’s about a 15 minute walk (with a some steep hills) from the High Street on the Royal Mile.
You can see from the River Forth to Arthur’s Seat to Edinburgh Castle. It’s an amazing place to go when the sun is low but it is a good hike to get up to it. Olivia and Tom got a car up the hill and enjoyed the golden evening light at the top of the hill.
14. Holyrood Park
At the bottom of the Royal Mile you’ll find Holyrood Palace which is the King’s home when he visits Edinburgh.
The palace is next to Holyrood Park, if you want a real adventure with an amazing view you can walk up Arthurs Seat and get some photographs at St. Anthony’s Chapel
15. St. Anthony’s Chapel
St. Anthony’s Chapel is a ruined chapel on the hillside with stunning views over the city.
It takes about 20mins to get up to it and it is rough ground so you need good footwear but it is stunning.
Shauna and Frazer went here to exchange their vows after their wedding in the City Chambers.
Taxi Adventure
Edinburgh is compact but if you have high heels on a vehicle to get your around is a plan.
You can hire an Edinburgh cab to take you around some of the sights. It’s also a cute vehicle to have in your photos.
Red Bus Tours
If you want your guest’s to enjoy the city while you have a more intimate adventure you can hire a Red Bus to take your guests around the city. Companies such as the Red Bus Bistro will do a tour with afternoon tea for your guests.
Are you planning an Edinburgh wedding?
If you’d like to chat about your plans, check availability or pricing, please get in touch :-)
Useful Links
Edinburgh Vacation Family Photo Shoots
A photo journalistic tour of the city, no cheesy posing, just have fun, explore and it'll be captured for you to look back on. All inclusive photo shoots for all the family.
Book an Edinburgh vacation family photo shoot and create a photographic journal of your Edinburgh adventure.
Edinburgh has an unbelievable number of beautiful buildings and vistas, I love taking people around the city and telling them the things I’ve learnt about the city over the years. I capture the adventures as we go and create a journalistic record of the day.
I’m not a tour guide but I share the things I know as we go around and I usually finish a family shoot near an ice cream shop or a playpark. I keep things moving and fun.
The Castle
Did you know the famous castle sits on a volcanic plug and has secret tunnels running beneath it?
It looks down at the city from it’s very impressive defensive position and looks different from each side.
I know a number of places where you can get a great view. One is near a playpark and the other is near some great pubs. Both have ice cream nearby so it’s a great place to finish your shoot whether you’re family group or an adult group.
The Edinburgh Festival
During the Edinburgh festival nothing surprises me, it’s bonkers.
There are street entertainers everywhere, performances in every space across the city and the whole city is just buzzing.
It’s crammed with people so it’s not a good time to try and get pictures without people in but it’s very fun to capture kids enjoying the atmosphere and a great time to visit.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile has some beautiful views up and down it and many of the most historic & famous buildings are on it or just off it.
At the top you have the castle and at the bottom you have the infamous Scottish Parliament which went hundred’s of millions over budget. It’s worth a visit, I think it’s like marmite, your either love it or hate it!
Beside the parliament you have Holyrood Palace, Dynamic Earth & you can trek up Arthur’s Seat to get some great views over the city.
St. Giles Cathedral
The crown of St. Giles is visible from much of Edinburgh.
If you stop to admire it, BEWARE!
There is a heart mosaic called the Hearth of Midlothian just outside and it’s traditional to spit on it for good luck. I’m not sure I get this tradition as it was actually a place people spat to show disdain for the executions that took place in the tollbooth which was demolished in 1817.
Unposed & All Inclusive
As you can probably tell I like people to have fun during my photo shoots, I don’t want it to feel like you’re being dragged around and made to pose.
I take lots of candid photos and encourage kids to explore and play.
My photo shoots are also all inclusive as I don’t like hidden costs so you get plenty time (2 hours), all the images as printable files and a voucher to buy prints if you wish.
For prices, click the link below.
I love to capture the city but I also want to capture you enjoying time together.
With Hiba & her family, we explored a park in the centre.
She was visiting from Dubai and she wanted some greenery in her photos to capture the greenery of Scotland. As a Scot I definitely take this for granted!
I’m open to your ideas so please get in touch if you have any questions, let me know what you would like to see and I can plan a route for you.
Edinburgh’s Spooky Graveyards
If you like Harry Potter, ghosts or stories of grave robbing you can explore some of Edinburgh’s many graveyards.
Greyfriars is the most famous and has many of the names from Harry Potter novels on the stones including; Tom Riddle, MacGonagall, Moody & Severus. This is also the site of the famous story of Greyfriars Bobby, the little Skye Terrier who guarded his owners grave for 14 years in the 1800’s.
My favourite is St. Cuthbert’s Kirkyard which sits below the castle and is full of stories of warfare and body snatching. These days it’s a pretty wildlife haven within the city centre.
Family Heirlooms
You can print your images yourself but you’ll also get a voucher towards prints so why not ask me to create a special book of memories in a beautiful fine art album. I can organise overseas shipping for you and they’ll be much better quality that you get on the high street.
Click the button to view the print brochure.
Get In Touch
If you’re interested in an Edinburgh Vacation Family Photo Shoot, fill in my wee form for more info :-)
Graduation Photography
Alternative graduation photography in Edinburgh and around Scotland, opt for something different, choose to have photographs that tell the story of where you lived whilst at university. Much more exciting than the traditional white background graduation photographs!
Graduation photography can be a bit dull and lifeless as everyone stands woodenly in front of a white screen. It’s not a photo which reflects the joy of your University experience of captures the stunning city of Edinburgh where you have lived for the past few years. I want you to have photographs which you look back at and reflect on your life studying and living in Edinburgh. I want to capture the story of your graduation day and your experiences in the city.
These alternative graduation photo shoots are usually set around the University of Edinburgh or Heriot-Watt and capture a bit of your story and the places that you have experienced. If you are an overseas student and love the hills and lochs of Scotland we can have a chat about organising an extended shoot.
I charge a fixed rate for the shoot, so if you want you can share the shoot with a small group of friends, you’ll be able to get individual portraits, group photos of you all together and some pictures with your parents. I’ll allocate time for you to explore the city to.
After your graduation shoot, I’ll deliver you a beautiful gallery of 50+ images which you can download, share and print. It’s a fantastic way to invest in recording an important part of your life in a way which is completely personal to you.
These images are more than graduation photographs, they tell the story of the adventure of living or visiting another country. When they are framed or displayed in an album on your wall, your kids or grandkids will look at them and ask you about your time Scotland. You will be able to show them the castle, the mountains, your student accommodation or maybe your favourite pub.
We’ll have a chat before your shoot to make sure the shoot is personalised and covers the places in Edinburgh which are really important to you.
Li, an Edinburgh University graduate from Hong Kong couldn't make his graduation ceremony so he chose to have some candid photos around the places he had explored during his time residing in the capital. We captured some pics around the architecture teaching areas on Minto street and the Edinburgh College of Art. We visited some of his favourite historic buildings which he had studied as part of his architecture degree.
Karina and her friends, also from Hong Kong, booked me on their graduation day to get some photographs before their ceremony while they had their robes. They chose to get some photographs around the iconic library building, McEwan Hall, Old College and the meadows.
Zuhri and Nisah asked for images of iconic Scotland to take home as a souvenir, there was only one place to go. We did an extended shoot and spent a day travelling up to Glen Coe, stopping at various beauty spots en-route including Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, Stirling Castle and the Forth Rail Bridge.
All inclusive shoots from £250, for more information about alternative graduation photography, please get in touch alijayphotography@gmail.com or 07885930579.
