Your Information To The Finest Edinburgh Pictures Areas
The place do I begin with this character crammed metropolis of outdated world allure and vibrant Scottish custom? Edinburgh will little doubt find yourself in your listing of favorite cities when you’ve spent a while right here, particularly for those who’re into pictures which I imagine to be among the best issues to do in Edinburgh. There’s a sense you not often get elsewhere that’s created by mysterious alleys, stone cottages and a rustic vibe with crags, waterways and mountains framing town.
Edinburgh is so photogenic. Let’s simply get that set in Scottish stone.
I’ll have even stated on quite a few events throughout our time there that I may most undoubtedly dwell there. It’s a type of cities that as a photographer would hold you busy for years with so many topics to seize and scenes to compose to not point out the ever altering climate and light-weight.
In the event you’re visiting Edinburgh quickly I’ve put collectively a information to essentially the most photogenic places all through town, issues to do in Edinburgh and a few photograph tips about how finest to seize them. Belief me, there isn’t any scarcity of Edinburgh pictures places, for those who’re visiting for 24hrs or staying for 2 weeks, there’s a lot to maintain you occupied whether or not it’s snowing, sunny or a bit of moist.
As at all times, I’ll kick issues off with a map to point out you precisely the place every spot is, then beneath you’ll discover a bit of extra info and a few pattern photos of every location.
Edinburgh Picture Spots + Photoshoot Areas
Learn extra: For extra pictures location guides to different cities and areas around the globe, click on by way of to the ‘Vacation spot Guides’ part
Edinburgh Pictures Areas
Calton Hill
Presumably the preferred place in Edinburgh to {photograph} sundown, Calton Hill overlooks town and undoubtedly delivers with spectacular views. From right here you possibly can watch a sunny glow seem behind the Edinburgh Fort, seize lengthy publicity photographs of Princes Road from The Nelson Monument and watch as town switches on its lights for the night.
On the prime of the hill you’ll additionally discover the Nationwide Monument of Scotland, a memorial to Scottish troopers and sailors with big columns. You’ll discover lots of people crawling throughout it for images however personally I prefer to respect monuments like this, particularly after they’re memorials and seize a solar burst or stunning glow from afar.
Picture Tip: The Dugald Stewart Monument creates an iconic view over Edinburgh and to seize it, wander up the hill a bit of extra to the stone constructing the place at sundown you’ll little doubt discover the tripods out in full drive.
Dean Village
In the event you wander the Water of Leith walkway you’ll arrive in Dean Village, a fairytale scene with vibrant buildings lining the stream and the texture of a rustic village. You should definitely stroll down Hawthornbank Lane with a good looking yellow constructing and cobbled avenue that leads right down to the stream.
You will get proper right down to the water stage for reflections and for those who cross the bridge and proceed strolling alongside the stream you’ll arrive at a waterfall.
Picture Tip: Strive for all angles, from the bridge, from the stream, the lanes…there’s a lot to seize right here.
Closes + The Royal Mile
Mysterious, charming and alluring, the closes of the Royal Mile are for my part, someplace you have to go to when photographing Edinburgh. Whereas 1000’s of individuals stroll alongside the principle thoroughfare day by day, few realise these hidden gems exist and for those who look carefully you’ll uncover walkways with an entrance identify plate and steps main down.
Slim and moody, the closes weave between tall buildings and had been usually named after a notable resident who as soon as lived within the residences the staircases move. Every shut is completely different in look with some favourites together with Advocate’s Shut, Previous Stamp Workplace Shut and Milne’s Shut.
The Royal Mile itself additionally affords oodles of pictures alternatives with buildings relationship again to the early 1800’s that lead in the direction of the fortress. On the prime of the Royal Mile you’ll discover Castlehill which options plenty of bigger buildings nonetheless down the top with Holyrood Palace, facades are a bit of smaller, much less ornate however nonetheless stuffed with their very own particular character.
Picture Tip: Go to when the dim avenue lamps create an eerie outdated ambiance.
Water of Leith Walkway
Hardly ever in a metropolis do you discover a location as tranquil as this stroll means. Solely ten minutes from Prince’s Road you’ll be listening to the sound of chirping birds, trickling streams and wandering previous stone cottages that could be from a Beatrix Potter ebook. Put merely, this walkway is a peaceable metropolis escape.
When you can be part of the walkway in quite a lot of locations, the trail begins on the nook of Glenogle Rd and Brandon Terrace then weaves its means alongside the river banks in the direction of Dean Village after which even additional to Roseburn. When you’ve walked by way of Stockbridge you’ll comply with a path by way of lush inexperienced rainforest earlier than arriving at St.Bernard’s Effectively. Found in 1760, this pure spring was believed to remedy all diseases and has a statue marking its location of Hygeia, the Greek goddess of well being. There’s a small door to the effectively which is just open on particular days all year long so guests are in a position to style the water which is understood to have a really sturdy style.
Picture Tip: Take the walkway your entire size and hold a watch out for the little cascades, greenery framing the stone homes and staircases simply earlier than St.Bernard’s Effectively which work nice in images.
Learn extra – ‘Setting the Scene: Making Water Dance in your Pictures’
Victoria Road – aka Harry Potter Inspiration!
A curved and cobbled avenue, Victoria Road is kind of presumably the most effective trying avenue in Edinburgh. With vibrant facades it’s sometimes called Diagon Alley (from Harry Potter) and apparently the place J.Ok Rowling took her inspiration, it’s value a stroll to seize the road scenes right here.
My favorite retailer in the entire metropolis is Museum Context which is positioned proper in the midst of Victoria Road and affords a fascinating buying expertise for those who’re into classic maps, antiques and naturally, the little magician known as Harry Potter.
Picture Tip: Climb the staircase to Higher Bow for a terrific view down over Victoria Road.
Dunbar’s Shut Backyard
This quiet backyard is such a particular little gem proper within the coronary heart of Edinburgh’s Previous City. Designed within the type of a 17th century backyard it’s elegant shrubs are preened, fairly and blooming. You don’t even realise you’re in a metropolis when you step off the Royal Mile and into this hidden house. Across the backyard are picket benches the place you possibly can sit and absorb the serenity or you may get busy like me and {photograph} their hedges and neat traces.
Picture Tip: Wait for somebody in a vibrant jacket to walk by 😉
St Giles’ Cathedral
Inside this cathedral relationship again to the 14th century is among the most unimaginable ceilings I’ve ever seen. A putting daring blue color highlights the centre of the cathedral with lights creating an impact just like the sky and solar. There’s no admission cost nonetheless to {photograph} contained in the cathedral you have to buy a pictures move. To take action it’s merely a £2 donation and in return you’ll obtain a small sticker to put on whilst you’re taking images.
Picture Tip: Search for, I had a sore neck after visiting as a result of I took so many alternative angles of the ceiling!
Edinburgh Fort
Perched excessive above town, Edinburgh Fort is the preferred vacationer attraction on the town. In the event you’re after a peaceable stroll amongst historical past, sadly this isn’t the place to go. There’ll greater than possible be 1000’s of vacationers piling by way of the gates however, it does supply a improbable view over Edinburgh. Inside there’s the Nationwide Struggle Museum, St Margaret’s Chapel and at 1pm every day the canons are fired!
I really most popular to {photograph} the fortress from varied factors across the metropolis than shut up. Its imposing presence is seen from quite a lot of places so remember to hold your eyes open for a singular perspective.
You’ll discover the fortress positioned on the prime of the Royal Mile, the outdated city’s essential avenue which connects the fortress with Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official Scottish residence.
Picture tip: Capturing the fortress from Calton Hill simply beside The Nelson Monument completely traces up with a Scottish flying flag someplace within the Princes Gardens you probably have a zoom lens!
Stockbridge
My favorite suburb of Edinburgh, Stockbridge is all the things you need in a Scottish village. With the Water of Leith operating by way of it, espresso outlets and naturally dwelling to Circus Lane (see beneath), its vibe could be very relaxed making it a terrific place to wander and seize avenue scenes. Probably the greatest options all through Edinburgh are the cobbled streets, I’m undecided I even discovered a avenue that wasn’t cobbled so remember to go off exploring the countless rows of residences with matching doorways and squared window bins.
Picture Tip: Keep away from peak hour occasions to get pleasure from Stockbridge to the fullest. Circus Lane is a should see in Edinburgh!
Circus Lane
Quaint, cobbled and easily put, cute. Circus Lane gives all these emotions of outdated world allure with immaculately saved cottages, flower pots and vibrant window sills. Situated in Stockbridge it’s only a 10minute stroll from Princes Road. When strolling from St Vincent’s Road down the lane, remember to flip round as a result of Saint Stephen’s Cathedral creates a terrific topic to characteristic in your shot with the Circus Lane cottages within the foreground.
Picture Tip: Go to throughout the day when the individuals who really dwell listed here are at work and their automobiles aren’t parked within the lane.
Greyfriars Kirkyard + George Heriot’s College
Hottest now due to their affiliation with the Harry Potter collection, the Greyfriars Kirkyard is a cemetery positioned in Edinburgh’s Previous City. J.Ok Rowling took inspiration from the cemetery for the Harry Potter collection and the stately trying George Heriot’s College positioned proper beside was used as the bottom for her Hogwart’s imaginative and prescient.
My favorite a part of Greyfriars Kirkyard although is the story of Greyfriars Bobby. Bobby was a Skye Terrier whose proprietor John Grey was buried within the graveyard. The story goes that for the following 14 years Bobby spent his life sitting by the grave and was then buried simply contained in the gates of Greyfriars Kirkyard. Guests can now go away a stick for Bobby, a convention that I couldn’t resist including to and was very near bursting into tears at simply how cute it was!
Princes Road Gardens
London has Hyde Park, New York has Central Park and Edinburgh has the Princes Road Gardens. Lined with historic buildings and stuffed with flower beds and inexperienced house, the gardens are a good looking house inside the metropolis centre. The primary cause I liked photographing the gardens was as a result of they provide a terrific view of the buildings that lead towards the Edinburgh Fort and the fortress itself is right for some artistic views by way of the timber.
On the western finish of the gardens you’ll discover St Cuthberts Churchyard which sits beneath Fort Rock and has vaults and moss coated gravestones.
The gardens within the summertime are alive with exercise as musicians, bands and performances create an environment that’s exhausting to not get caught up in. As soon as these bagpipes begin enjoying it’s virtually crime to not faucet your toes and have a bit of jig.
Picture Tip: The Scottish Nationwide Gallery sits proper within the center up excessive above the gardens and it’s a terrific spot to look over them to {photograph} the scenes from above.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Because the official Scottish residence of the Queen, it’s fairly the present stopper. Whereas it’s a lot smaller than Buckingham Palace the Queen apparently spends one week right here every summer time and yr spherical it’s saved trying ship form. Constructed within the 1670s it has a glamourous nation mansion really feel whereas clearly nonetheless being extravagantly royal. What units it aside for me are the gardens that encompass the palace. Additionally if you buy a ticket to discover the palace, you too can try the Holyrood Abbey ruins which in themselves are a sight to see.
Picture Tip: Seize the palace whereas mountaineering the Salisbury Crags. The palace is de facto spectacular from above and from the crags and even from Calton Hill, you possibly can {photograph} it with the mountain environment.
Photogenic Hikes in Edinburgh –
Arthur’s Seat
So I used to be informed a spherical journey to Arthur’s Seat takes about two hours from Holyrood Palace which I assume is appropriate for those who don’t have a digital camera. If nonetheless you prefer to cease each couple of minutes to seize the surroundings and your breath, give your self a good 4 hours to essentially soak all of it in. Excessive above town you’ll be handled to unimaginable views when you attain the highest and my tip is to take a picnic since you’ll want some sustenance after the hike!
On the best way to the highest there’s all the great thing about Holyrood Park to {photograph} so hold a watch out for reflections in St Margaret’s Loch, there’s loads of fowl life and for those who’re not venturing out to the highlands, it’s a terrific place to seize some mountain landscapes.
Picture Tip: Plan for sundown and take a picnic dinner!
Learn extra – ‘Setting the Scene: Golden Hour Pictures Ideas’
Salisbury Crags
In the event you’re going to do one stroll in Edinburgh, my selection is the Salisbury Crags. Watching over Edinburgh like a rugged and resilient guard, the crags are fairly the journey. Ranging from simply close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, climb up beneath the crags for about 30minutes (45mins for those who’re slower and like taking a number of images like me!). Half means up there’s a good looking view over the palace however proceed on for some actually spectacular landscapes as you hike your means up the rocky cliffs. There’s a number of paths heading in varied instructions when you attain a sure level however for those who decide to stay near the rocks finally you’ll discover a place the place it’s attainable to climb up after which wander alongside the very prime of the crags. With Arthur’s Seat looming behind you’ll have Edinburgh glowing within the different route, an unimaginable vantage level particularly at sundown!
Picture Tip: When you’ve made it to the highest of the crags, there’s a spot about half means alongside the place the rocks jut in a bit of and it creates the proper place to {photograph} the fortress and Edinburgh skyline with somebody standing on the sting overlooking town.
Different Notable Edinburgh Pictures Areas:
Heriot Place (The Vennel)
This staircase was one of many locations I used to be informed to go to and whereas it’s most definitely a terrific view of the Edinburgh Fort, for those who’re operating out of time don’t fear an excessive amount of. This shot is most stunning within the night mild as soon as the lamps are lit and making a moody outdated world really feel.
North Bridge
Operating on prime of Waverly Prepare Station, the bridge connects Edinburgh’s Previous City to the New City. It additionally gives dramatic views of the facades of the Royal Mile that lead in the direction of Edinburgh Fort. I used the railings as reflective distractions to blur out the prepare traces beneath.
Queen St Gardens
Whereas I couldn’t discover a means in, the Queen St Gardens are stunning even by way of the fence. You could find little corners to seize and because it appears troublesome to realize entry, it’s like a bit of dream world of completely preened backyard paths and luxurious flora.
Royal Botanic Gardens
A world away from Princes Road but in actuality, only a 15 minute stroll, the Royal Botanic Gardens are stunning. In the event you desire a bit of little bit of nature over crowded streets I actually advocate spending a while right here after which following it up with a stroll alongside the Water of Leith. That includes greater than 13,000 plant species it’s lush, enjoyable and there’s the gorgeous Inverleith Home positioned proper within the centre which makes for nice photograph alternatives. Admission is free!
The place to Keep in Edinburgh:
I opted for an condominium to base myself whereas I explored town and occurred to come across the cutest two bed room flat within the metropolis on Airbnb. Observe this hyperlink to take a look at Pier’s condominium in Stockbridge which was adorned to perfection with attractive British furnishings, entry to Netflix, all the things you would have to cook dinner and really feel such as you’re residing in Edinburgh together with a tremendous location.
Situated in Stockbridge only a 10minute stroll from Princes Road it’s proper across the nook from espresso outlets, bus stops, the Water of Leith Walkway is a block away and so are the Royal Botanic Gardens. In the event you haven’t completed AirBnb earlier than I extremely advocate it!
In any other case, I’d counsel someplace near town centre so you possibly can wander and {photograph} from dawn to sundown. I at all times use Reserving.com when looking for a lodge as I like their map characteristic that allows you to see the place a property is positioned in relation to a few of the pictures places you wish to go to! Take a look at the Edinburgh metropolis web page right here.
For extra info:
To take a look at opening occasions, metropolis excursions, locations to eat and basic details about the historical past of Edinburgh remember to try the Go to Scotland web site. Additionally their Instagram account @visitscotland is fairly addictive when you fall in love with the wonders of Scotland!
Highway Tripping in Scotland:
We used Edinburgh as our base to begin a Spaceships Leases street journey across the highlands and outer islands. I’ll be publishing extra guides about this over the approaching weeks so hold a watch out to see what we obtained as much as!
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Hi there! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as an expert journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this website is from my private expertise on the street. I hope it’s helpful on your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences around the globe.
