Edinburgh offers a wide range of beautiful locations for wedding photography or a couples photoshoot. It’s a great destination for photography lovers with its rich history, stunning architecture, beautiful landscapes and friendly people.
Most instagrammable places in Edinburgh – best photo spots
Some of the must-see top Instagrammable photography locations in Edinburgh include:
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of the most popular and iconic landmarks in Edinburgh and provides a stunning backdrop for wedding photos. The castle sits on top of an extinct volcano and offers panoramic views of the city. The castle’s rich history and architecture make it a perfect location for capturing timeless and romantic wedding photos. However, it’s important to note that the castle is a public attraction and therefore the couple should expect crowds of people around them while they take the photos.
Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park
Arthur’s Seat is the highest point in Edinburgh and offers panoramic views of the city, making it a great spot for outdoor wedding photos. It is an ancient volcano and the highest point of the group of hills in Holyrood Park. The hill offers a variety of landscapes including meadows, rocky cliffs, and grassy knolls, providing a range of different settings for wedding photos. It’s perfect for capturing natural and romantic outdoor photos.
The hill is also a popular spot for hiking and outdoor activities, so the couple should expect other visitors to be around. It’s important to note that the hill can get quite windy, so it’s best to plan for the photos to be taken on a calm day. Additionally, since it’s a natural reserve, the couple should check if there are any restrictions on photography before planning a photo-shoot.
Most of the Queens Drive around the Holyrood Park has been closed for cars for some time so be prepared for a bit of a hike.
The Royal Botanic Garden
the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh offers a wide variety of gardens and greenhouses, making it a great location for wedding photography. The garden is home to over 13,000 plant species from around the world, providing a range of different settings for photos, including colourful flower gardens, lush greenery, and elegant greenhouses. The garden also has a number of statues, ponds, and water features, which can add an extra touch of elegance to the photos.
Additionally, the garden offers a peaceful and secluded setting, making it a great spot for intimate and romantic wedding photos. However, it’s important to note that the garden is open to the public, so you should expect other visitors to be around during your photo-shoot.
The Old Town
The Old Town of Edinburgh offers a picturesque and historic setting for wedding photography. The narrow cobbled streets and medieval architecture of the Old Town provide a charming and unique backdrop for wedding photos. The Old Town is also home to many historical and cultural landmarks, such as St Giles’ Cathedral and the Mercat Cross, which can add a touch of elegance to the photos. Additionally, the Old Town offers a variety of different settings, from charming narrow alleys, to grand plazas, and beautiful old buildings, providing a range of different options for the couple’s wedding photos.
The Vennel Steps
Also known as the Canongate Vennel, is a charming and picturesque location in Edinburgh that can be a great spot for wedding photography. The Vennel Steps is a set of steep stone steps that lead up from the Royal Mile to the Canongate area of the city. The steps are lined with traditional Scottish tenements, which provide a unique and charming backdrop for wedding photos.
Princess Street Gardens and The Scott Monument
The gardens are located in the heart of Edinburgh and provide a picturesque setting for wedding photos. The gardens are situated between Edinburgh Castle and the New Town, and they offer a variety of different settings for photos, including lush green lawns, beautiful flower beds, and secluded areas.
The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic monument located in the centre of the gardens, which is dedicated to the famous Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. The monument offers a unique and dramatic backdrop for wedding photos, with its intricate carvings and tall spire. It’s a great spot to capture the couple’s photo with Edinburgh’s iconic skyline as the background. However, it’s important to note that the gardens and the monument can be quite busy with tourists, so the couple should expect other people to be around during their photo-shoot. Also, they should check if there are any specific rules or restrictions on photography in the gardens and the monument before planning a photo-shoot.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the historic main street of Edinburgh and offers a variety of settings for wedding photography. The Royal Mile is a long street that connects Edinburgh Castle at the top of the hill to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom, and it offers a variety of different settings for wedding photos. The street is lined with traditional Scottish architecture, such as the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town, which provide a charming and unique backdrop for wedding photos. Additionally, the Royal Mile is home to many shops, cafes, and restaurants, which offer a range of different settings for wedding photos, from traditional Scottish pubs to modern cafes. However, the Royal Mile can be very busy with tourists, so the couple should expect other people to be around during their photo-shoot.
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a popular location for wedding photography in Edinburgh, as it offers a variety of different settings for photos and breathtaking views of the city. Calton Hill is located in the center of Edinburgh and is home to several historic buildings and monuments, including the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, and the Dugald Stewart Monument. These monuments offer a unique and dramatic backdrop for wedding photos.
The hilltop also offers panoramic views of the city, including Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, and the Royal Mile, which can be a great background for the couple’s photos. It’s also a great spot for sunset photos.
Portobello Beach
Portobello Beach is a popular location for wedding photography, as it offers a unique and beautiful setting for photos. The beach is located on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and is known for its wide sandy beach and picturesque promenade. The beach offers a variety of different settings for wedding photos, including the sand dunes, the beach itself, and the promenade. The beach can also be a great spot for sunset photos and the view over the water can be a great background for the couple’s photo. However, it’s important to note that the beach can be quite windy, so it’s best to plan for the photos to be taken on a calm day. Additionally, the couple should check if there are any specific rules or restrictions on photography on the beach before planning a photo-shoot.
It’s also important to consider the tides and the weather if you’re planning to have the photo-shoot on the beach, since it can be hard to walk on the beach during high tide and the weather can change fast near the sea.
Best wedding photo spots in Edinburgh
These are just a few of the many great locations for wedding photography in Edinburgh. The best location will depend on your personal taste and the style of wedding you are planning.
In addition to these photography spots, you can also explore the city’s museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks, such as Holyrood Palace, St Giles’ Cathedral, and Greyfriars Kirkyard, which is a famous cemetery where many famous Scots are buried. If you’re interested in your wedding photography in Edinburgh or any other parts of Scotland, then please get in touch.
Best photography locations near me
All in all, Edinburgh is a great place to visit, live and take photography. I hope you make the most of your time here!