The Best Wedding Photography Locations in Edinburgh
By Joe Hall | UK Documentary Wedding and Elopement Photographer
Possibly one of the most picturesque capital cities in the world? Edinburgh is famous for its endless history, gorgeous architecture and stunning views, which is in-turn what makes this place have so many perfect photo locations.
Over the last couple years I’ve been fortunate to shoot some amazing couple sessions around Edinburgh, and have found so many beautiful locations along the way. I have put together a list of my favourite five spots, with a few honourable mentions thrown in there too.
I’m always up for exploring new spots, as well as revisiting these classics, so if you are interested in booking a shoot in Edinburgh, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Circus Lane
Probably one of the most recognisable spots in Edinburgh is Circus Lane. This quiet little street is always so colourful with the many flowers that are present down the street, which is definitely one of the things that makes it so special. Built in the 1700s, Circus Lane is a curving road that really shows the unique architecture that makes Edinburgh so popular. Even though the walk might only be a short one down here, it’s worth noting that Dean Village is only a short 15 minute walk away from Circus Lane, which is another location that will be mentioned in this blog post.
This is the Google Maps link of Circus Lane (https://goo.gl/maps/tX5gkgZmswvuSRcE6), however it is worth noting that it is a 20 minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley Station. To get the best view of Circus Lane, I would definitely recommend to start the walk on the south side, so that you will get the view of the church in the background.
Dean Village
Dean Village could be the most underrated spot in Edinburgh. With the Water of Leith running through the middle of these historical buildings and houses, this spot almost looks like it belongs in a movie. There are many different vantage spots around Dean Village, but the best ones have to be either on the bridge, or next to the river (as shown on the photos below) that give you a great view of this place. A lot of the buildings in Dean Village do showcase the rich history of Edinburgh, with most being from the industrial periods of the 18th and 19th century. Only a short walk from Circus Lane, this place is definitely not to be missed.
This is the Google Maps link of Dean Village (https://goo.gl/maps/bFzRD1EcbGviNC73A), however it’s worth noting that as well as only being a 15 minutes walk from Circus Lane, you can chose to get a 10 minute taxi to Edinburgh Castle too.
Blackford Hill
If you are looking for a higher vantage point of Edinburgh, then Blackford Hill could be the one for you. Situated between Morningside and the Braid Hills, Blackford Hill has plenty of different walks where you will find some beautiful little spots. Where some of the spots in the city can be quite busy, this place offers a quiet alternative, with some stunning views. Even though the hill is 164m high, you can actually park at the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh, where you will be able to chose which part of Blackford Hill you wish to explore. Having this stunning piece of greenery just a few minutes away from the busy city is one of the things that definitely makes Edinburgh special.
This is the Google Maps link of Blackford Hill (https://goo.gl/maps/YsUr4WLazE6ZHEGa9), as well as the link to the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh parking (https://goo.gl/maps/3bKMLkeQVfdVPG8YA).
St. Bernard’s Well
Once again, this might be a lesser known spot in Edinburgh. St. Bernard’s Well is a gorgeous location situated along the Water of Leith, which offers a lovely little walk up to the monument. There is often a few people making the walk up to Dean Village from here, but other than that this place can be very quiet, as it is hidden away from the city traffic. If you are looking for a cute location to go on a little stroll for your couple session, then St. Bernard’s Well could be the one for you. Also, if you want to visit a number of locations for your couple session, then it’s worth noting that Circus Lane, St. Bernard’s Well and Dean Village are all in a short walking distance of each other.
This is the Google Maps link of St. Bernard’s Well (https://goo.gl/maps/bqWfSo9WndN3sRHZ7), which is only a 5 minute walk from Circus Lane.
Forth Bridge
Even though the Forth Bridge may technically be just outside of Edinburgh, it definitely deserves to be added to this list with it only being a short drive away. With the Forth Bridge as a stunning backdrop, this spot is hard to beat for a sunset shoot. This place is often very quiet, meaning that you can have a moment to yourself and to take it all in. To get the best view at this spot, I would recommend parking in South Queensferry, specifically at the Forth Bridge Memorial Car Park.
This is the Google Maps link to the Forth Bridge Memorial Car Park (https://goo.gl/maps/SpMcD8Z5KfkcZXGo8), where from there you will want to walk 5 minutes towards the bridge to get the best vantage point.
Some Other Locations
Even though these spots may have not made it in to my list, they definitely do deserve a mention.
The Vennel - A stunning view of Edinburgh Castle through a little passageway with steps. This is the Google Maps link of The Vennel (https://goo.gl/maps/4dXBZ2RjzYjKVfq18).
Calton Hill - This place offers incredible 360 degree views of Edinburgh and the Pentlands, with some amazing architectural points of interest at the top. This is the Google Maps link of Calton Hill (https://goo.gl/maps/vF49tUpKaa6kwhca6).
Arthur’s Seat - Probably one of the most popular spots in Edinburgh, this place offers incredible views of the city. This is the Google Maps link of Arthur’s Seat (https://goo.gl/maps/5DkiL8sRSD46iJQCA).
Old Stockbridge Market Arch - This beautiful archway serves as a cute little place for a few couple session photos, and really showcases the history of Edinburgh. This is the Google Maps link to the Old Stockbridge Market Arch (https://goo.gl/maps/NyyzjwApK6rT91au9).
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog, and I hope that you have been able to take something away from this and be able to implement it for your wedding day.
As always, if you have any questions, or you would like to enquire about booking me for your wedding day then you can contact me by filling in my enquiries form here, e-mailing me at joehallmedia@gmail.com, or alternatively my phone number is +447947849480.