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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. Writerās Museum
6. Riddles Court
7. John Knoxās House
8. Edinburgh Castle
9. Victoria Street
10. The Vennel
11. The Mound
12. Princeās Street Gardens
13. Carlton Hill
14. Holyrood Park
15. St. Anthonyās Chapel
Useful Links
Letās start at the heartā¦
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).
Letās skip past that partā¦ St. Giles is one of Edinburghās most iconic buildings with itās crown top a prominent part of Edinburghās 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
Edinburghās 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 Scotlandās 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 isnāt 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 Closeās and youāll find hidden gemās such as Advocateās Close with itās brilliant views of the Scottās Monument or Riddles Courtās 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 Writerās 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 Stairās House. The 17th century Lady Stairās House is home to the writerās 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 faƧade & pentice stair. I can imagine the king holding his banquetās there in the 16th century. Itās tucked away off the lawn market. Itās so hidden, few touristās find it so itās the perfect place for some quiet photos with some stunning unique architecture.
7. John Knoxās House
Further down the High Street, just before you enter the Cannongate part of the Royal Mile you get to John Knoxās House. Parts of the building date back to the 15th century building and it now houses the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Itās 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 wonāt 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 youāre really lucky you might get a congratulations from the author Ian Rankin who was passing by during Maria & Rhysās wedding, weāre 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 Edinburghās 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.
Youāll be surrounded by the hustle and bustle of shoppers on Princesā Street. From here you can also explore Princeās Street gardens and get some great views of Edinburgh Castle.
12. Princeās Street Gardens & Rossās Fountain
Princeās Street gardens run along the whole length of Princeās Street and have some amazing views of the city & the castle. At the east end of the gardenās, youāll 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. Itās a bit further away from the Old Town so you will need transport to get to there. If you chose to walk, itās 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 Arthurās Seat to Edinburgh Castle. Itās 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 youāll find Holyrood Palace which is the Kingās 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. Anthonyās Chapel
15. St. Anthonyās Chapel
St. Anthonyās 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. Itās also a cute vehicle to have in your photos.
Red Bus Tours
If you want your guestās 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 youād like to chat about your plans, check availability or pricing, please get in touch :-)
Useful Links
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 & Jonnyās wedding at the castle.
Are you planning a wedding at Barnbougle Castle?
Get in touch today, Iād 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 taxiās and headed to Riddles Court.
It was my first time at Riddles Court but Iāve admired it for a while. I love the stunning 16th Century architecture and the colourful orange facade.
Want to know more about my photography?
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 Johnās crazy fun wedding at Duntarvie Castle, a venue with acres of space for bouncy assault courses, pinataās 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. Itās been a slow job with a lot of conditions to meet and the eventās they hold at Duntarvie help fund the rebuild project.
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 Edinburghās 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 & Neilās 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 ceremonyās.
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 Iāve 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 chambersā history.
The city chambers is only 4 storeys tall on the Royal Mile side but from the Cockburn Street side it is 12 storeyās 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.