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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.
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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 :-)
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Georgia & Julian’s St. Andrews University Wedding at The Old Course Hotel
Check out Georgia & Julian's beautiful and relaxed wedding at St. Andrews University, held at the stunning Old Course Hotel. It was such a privilege to capture their special day.
St. Andrews University’s most famous couple may be William and Kate but Georgia and Julian also met at the university and not being royals they could have a super fun wedding with all their mates. They had their ceremony at the exclusive St Salvator’s Chapel followed by a fun filled reception at the Old Course Hotel.
To get married at St. Salvators you have to be affiliated to the university so as alumni Georgia and Julian got to use the chapel and the adjacent quad area for their photos.
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It’s a short distance to the Old Course Hotel which is one of my favourite venues with a brilliantly attentive team, stunning views, multiple beaches and a famous mini bridge to explore for photographs.
They loved their time in St. Andrews so when it came to choosing where to get married, they wanted to bring everyone back to the town to celebrate. For many of their friends, who they’d met at University it was also a chance to have a bit of a reunion and The Old Course Hotel was the perfect setting for a very good party and bouncing ceilidh.
St. Andrews has many famous landmarks but the little cute stone Swilcan Bridge is possibly the most famous so Georgia and Julian wanted to head there for photographs, especially as they could also get their university halls and the hotel in the background. The hotel organised a car to take us along but you can easily walk there if you fancy a wander. Georgia and Julian got a lift along to the bridge and they chose the pretty hotel garden and the university quad for pictures but I would also highly recommend a trip along to the beach if you have the time!
The Fantastic Team
Venue: The Old Course Hotel
Chapel: St. Salvator’s, St. Andrews University
Floristy: Stucio and Waow
Dress: La Novia
Hair: Sophie Butler
Make Up: Vintage Beauty Box
Ceilidh Band: Skyrie
Are you Planning a wedding at the old course hotel?
Barnbougle Castle - A Unique Castle Wedding By The Sea
Barnbougle Castle is a beautiful picturesque exclusive use wedding venue near Edinburgh with panoramic views over the River Forth and an exclusive beach. Check out Louisa & Jonny’s wedding at the castle.
Barnbougle Castle
Louisa & Jonny chose the uniqueness of Barnbougle Castle for their wedding.
It is a relatively new venue which takes on a limited number of weddings each year.
You get exclusive use of the castle and it’s grounds which are tucked away within the beautiful Dalmeny Estate which sits on the Forth Estuary, just outside Edinburgh.
Castle With A View
There has been something on the Barnbougle site since the 13th century.
The current castle was reconstructed in the 19th century and refurbished very recently to become a new venue for Roseberry Venues.
It sits on a rocky terrace projecting it out slightly into the estuary.
Louisa and Jonny had a beautiful day for their wedding so chose to get married on the terrace.
The terrace wraps around the castle and has panoramic views over the river and the islands in the Forth.
Layout
The castle has such beautiful features including the grand stone spiral staircase which links the Scottish Library to the Banquetting Hall on the second floor and up to the third floor where there is a bedroom and access to the minstrel’s gallery above the hall.
The Scottish Library
If the weather is not so desirable you can hold your ceremony in the stunning Scottish Library on the bottom floor of the castle.
The library connects to the terraces and some smaller rooms which can be good if you need a quiet space.
Louisa and Jonny used this area for guests to enjoy drinks and to cut their cake.
Just along the corridor from the library there are some bookcases which hide the toilets and are a very fun feature.
Banqueting Hall
On the second floor the banqueting hall with it’s stunning barrel vaulted ceiling has to be one of the most fantastic reception space’s I have seen.
I noticed guests enjoying the view from the windows which looked out over the Forth River.
During the reception I was able to creep up into the Minstrels gallery on the third floor which gave me a brilliant view of the whole hall and all the guests enjoying the speeches.
You could even do a speech from the gallery if you wanted something a little different.
Getting Ready
On the top floor of the castle they have a beautiful room where you can get ready if you wish to.
Unfortunately you can’t stay there over night but it would be a lovely fun place to get ready and watch your guests below enjoying the terrace and views.
There are plenty hotels nearby such as Orocco Pier or Dakota. Louisa chose to get ready at her home.
Dakota is a beautiful hotel nearby with an excellent restaurant and cocktail bar but when I have photographed wedding prep there the bride has asked to use a lovely bar area near the entrance of the hotel for their hair and make up as the rooms are very very dark. This is always something worth thinking about as your hair and make up team will struggle in a dark environment.
Orocco Pier is located within the old village of South Queensferry and is a beautiful place to stay with fantastic staff, delicious food and great cocktails.
Linda Keys
I have a some favourite suppliers who I recommend to clients and Linda is fabulous, she’s a beautiful gentle kind celebrant who brings so much heart and feeling to her ceremonies.
She had built such a beautiful relationship with Louisa and Jonny and the ceremony was so personal to them. You can find her over at Agnostic Scotland.
Private Beach
There is a private beach a very short distance from the castle. We went down at sunset.
It was a beautiful private place for Louisa and Jonny to explore together and a great place to get some beautiful photos with the castle and the estuary behind.
Location
Barnbougle sits just to the north of Edinburgh between Cramond and South Queensferry within the Dalmeny Estate which is a popular place for a nice walk.
Are you Planning a wedding at Barnbougle Castle?
Get in touch today, I’d love to be part of your amazing wedding team.
Riddles Court Wedding - Duncan & Bex's Micro Wedding
Bex & Duncan's micro wedding at Riddles Court, a hidden gem of a wedding venue, right beside the castle. A wedding full of family moments.
Duncan & Bex had the sweetest micro wedding at Riddles Court surrounded by family. When I arrived, their house was full, with cats, dogs, kids & relatives. It was magically bustling and full of smiles :-)
When everyone was ready we all jumped in taxi’s and headed to Riddles Court.
It was my first time at Riddles Court but I’ve admired it for a while. I love the stunning 16th Century architecture and the colourful orange facade.
History & Location
The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust Scottish (SHBT) finished renovating Riddles Court in 2017 and have preserved it’s heritage which dates back to King James VI. The building was used by important people close to the king. It even held a royal banquet in 1598. It’s has a pentice stair which leads from the first floor to the second, I love this quirky, beautiful feature. Duncan & Bex enjoyed exploring it for some photographs.
Riddles Court is just off the Lawnmarket, very close Edinburgh Castle. It’s a hidden hidden gem which you only discover when you walk up Riddles Close.
The Kids
Duncan & Bex love reportage photography and asked me to just capture the fun of the day. The kids were unknowingly entertaining everyone throughout the day so it was fun watching what they were going to do next and capturing all the little interactions between them and the other guests. From Bex’s son making face’s during the vows or asking his baby cousin for some shreddies or the girls dancing in the grand Geddes room. There was so much joy in watching them.
The Spaces
Duncan and Bex chose the smaller Seton room for their ceremony. With its ornate 17th century plasterwork and cosy window booths it is the perfect place to sign the register and then have a little snuggle whilst enjoying the magical views over Diagon Alley (or you could call it Victoria Street). Riddles Court has many spaces for events. The amazing painted ceiling & panelled walls of the grand Geddes Room got the flower girls in a spin, they danced around having a little ceilidh with each other. We didn’t explore the light airy library, but both the library and the Geddes room can seat 60 guests for your ceremony and 40 for a meal.
The Kings Chamber
Duncan and Bex weren’t staying overnight but you can hire the Kings Chamber if you’re feeling regal. The chamber is a special intimate space, once used for the king to hold a dinner party, it is now a beautiful apartment.
The Royal Mile
Riddles Court is so close to the registry office at the Edinburgh City Chambers that Bex popped in to drop off their wedding certificate on her way to their wedding lunch.
I walked with Duncan and his family down the Royal Mile and loved capturing his nieces enjoying a shoulder carry. It was a beautiful moment to finish the day.
If you love Old Town Edinburgh, hit the button below and have a look at Shra & Neil’s gorgeous wedding at the City Chambers, just down from Riddles Court.
The Wedding Team
Photography: Ali Jay Photography
Ceremony Officiant: Evelyn May Cowie
Dress: Nancy Mac
Suit: Grooms Own
Wedding Coordinator: Erin, Riddles Court
Venue: Riddles Court Weddings
Duntarvie Castle Wedding - Crazy Fun Wedding
If you want a wedding full of fun, check out Laura and John’s crazy fun wedding at Duntarvie Castle, a venue with acres of space for bouncy assault courses, pinata’s in the trees, casinos and your dog :-)
Laura and John are fun & full of mischief. John is always cheekily winding Laura up and they are full of fun so their wedding had to reflect them and it had to allow them to bring along their cute pup, Wilson the spaniel.
Duntarvie Castle is a ruined castle and wedding venue near Winchburgh in West Lothian, a short distance from South Queensferry and few more miles from Edinburgh. Duntarvie was the perfect location to bring everyone together, with space for crazy bouncy castle antics, a casino extravaganza, firepits and of course Wilson.
Geoffrey Nicholsby, the current owner of Duntarvie has a famous kiltmaking business making alternative kilts which is a favourite with celebrities. They bought the castle over thirty years ago and have been working hard to restore it since. It’s been a slow job with a lot of conditions to meet and the event’s they hold at Duntarvie help fund the rebuild project.
The Castle Ruins
Going into a ruined castle on your wedding day added a little adventure to the day. Laura loved getting her photos taken, she whirled around singing ‘Gravity’ and channelling her inner Elphaba (from the musical Wicked).
Duntarvie Castle’s Event Space
It was a beautiful day but they chose to have their ceremony inside, just in case Wilson got excited by any passing pheasants. Duntarvie’s event space has some great touches which add a special feel to the space and make it so much nicer than a marquee. I love the wood flooring, the fabric canopy and the fairy lights. They all come together to add a cosy feel to the space.
DIY Wedding
A giant Loch Ness Monster bouncy assault course isn’t the normal activity in wedding attire but nearly everyone seemed to have a go. The DIY aspect of Duntarvie really appealed to Laura & John as they could make their wedding unique and bring in their own caterers so they could choose someone who would create a fantastic Coeliac friendly gluten free menu for Laura.
Pinata
I love it when couples break traditions! Opting for a cake table rather than a traditional single wedding cake meant they didn’t have a traditional cake cutting, instead they whacked a wedding cake pinata and released loads of sweets for their guests.
Chilled Day
With a pinata, a bouncy assault course, a casino and firepits everyone had a ball and loved just chilling out eating, drinking and even climbing trees. Tricia, from Duntarvie co-ordinated the day perfectly and Bespoke Catering did a fabulous job making sure everyone was well fed with amazing food.
Casino
The surprise casino was a really nice touch. They put out ‘Wilson Money’ on the wedding tables which lead to lots of conversions about why they had money with Wilson the dogs picture on. The casino was hugely popular. I love a good full wedding dancefloor but very often it’s empty as guests want to chat and socialise and this was the perfect option to add some great entertainment for the guests. They had a dancefloor as-well but a casino could be an alternative if you think your guests would prefer it. At the end of the night person with the most ‘Wilson Cash’ won a bottle of champagne.
Wedding Venues Edinburgh - The City Chambers
Wedding photography highlights from one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Edinburgh, The City Chambers. A venue on the Royal Mile at the heart of the Edinburgh Old Town.
Wedding Venues Edinburgh - The City Chambers
Built in 1761 the city chambers sits in an amazing location, right next to St. Giles Cathedral, on the Royal Mile in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. The Castle is a 5 minute walk away and the area is full of beautiful backdrops and atmosphere.
What I love about the city chambers is that one minute you can be in the midst of the Edinburgh crowds capturing some atmospheric shots surrounded by people but then a moment later I can take you to a quiet area where you can have some more intimate photographs taken and you can enjoy some precious moments alone together. If you have guests who are not from Edinburgh you can even plan for them to go out for a half hour explore of the city as part of the day.
Our famously unpredictable weather can be frustrating on your wedding day but the city chamber has lots of lovely areas to explore under the cover of arches or closes or inside the beautiful chambers. Shra & Neil’s beautiful Indian-Scottish wedding definitely had more of the Scottish weather than the Indian but we still got out to explore the city.
The Modern or Historic Ceremony Rooms
The majority of weddings at the city chambers are held by the registry office in the suite on the bottom floor but you can also choose to hire out the grand European Room for a larger ceremony’s.
Attentive Staff - Registry Office Weddings
The city chambers is quite different from most wedding venues as it is a working council office during the week and the security is high especially if the provost is around. When I’ve photographed weddings in the registry office suite their is a lovely lady, dressed impeccably in a tuxedo who attentively welcomes your guests and takes them to a special welcome room. You get married in the suite and then you can have formal photos in the courtyard area after the ceremony.
The Historic Rooms - Large Weddings
For larger weddings you can hire the rooms upstairs, these rooms are full of history and the views are phenomenal. The weddings I have photographed at the city chambers have used the council chambers from the meal and the dancing. The European Room has been used for the ceremony or drinks reception and buffet and there are a number of other beautiful rooms which people use for various parts of the day. All the rooms are linked together by pretty corridors filled with stained glass windows and artifacts from the chambers’ history.
The city chambers is only 4 storeys tall on the Royal Mile side but from the Cockburn Street side it is 12 storey’s high. Underneath the chambers lies the labyrinth of Mary Queens Close, a close closed off when they built the chambers and now open to tourists who want to re-visit 17th century Edinburgh.
