The 15 Best Edinburgh Photography Locations

There’s no doubt Edinburgh is one of the world’s best cities to visit and live in. It’s been featured on many lists by leading travel writers. It’s been celebrated by writers across the centuries. It’s a dream destination!

I’ve lived in Edinburgh for over a decade. I used to be a tourist and then became a local. In the following sections, I’ll take you through my photographic tour of Edinburgh.

1. Calton Hill

Calton Hill sits right in the middle of the city, at the end of Princes Street. The monuments at the top of the hill can be seen from across the city. It’s a short 5 to 10 minute hike from the foot of the hill. From the top, you’ll get a 360 degree view of the entire city. I recommend this for anyone visiting the city. It gives you a quick snapshot of the geography of Edinburgh. You might want to visit early in the morning, once around peak noon for the rich light, around sunset, and also at night for the city lights.

2. Dean Village

This part of Edinburgh is tucked away in an area that tourists wouldn’t wander into. You’ll need to know where you are heading towards. It’s an oasis within the city. There’s a river, waterfall, forest, and some very old buildings. Dean Village is in fact a fairy tale location! Be warned, there are no shops around here if you were considering a coffee and snack.

3. Circus Lane

Truth be told, I never knew of this lane’s existence for many years until a friend of mine shared an Instagram post! This used to be an average mews lane that was made popular by Instagrammers. There’s a certain magic to this lane. You’ll need the right light and moment to capture it’s beauty!

4. Edinburgh Castle

Sitting on Castle Rock, the Edinburgh Castle offers stunning views of the city. The castle itself is very photogenic throughout the year. Bright and cheerful or dark and gloomy, you pick! If you’re trying to capture photos of the Princes Street, New Town, Firth of Forth and beyond, there are some great viewpoints from inside the castle. You’ll need to pay for entry though 🙂 July and August might not be great for photography from the castle esplanade – they erect a venue with seating for the Royal Military Tattoo.

5. Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens used to be a loch (Nor Loch) during the Middle Ages. It was drained to form the current East and West gardens. They are a dip, so you won’t get much of city view from here. However, you’ll be able to capture some great shots of the Castle with the Ross Fountain in the foreground. There’s also a charming gardener’s cottage that is very Instagrammable.

6. The Royal Mile

As the name suggests, it is a mile long street, filled with dark and rich history. There are a number of small lanes, closes, that once used to be cesspits. Now, they offer endless photo opportunities. The oldest part of the mile is closer to the castle. You could spend hours, walking through every side lane, exploring the age old skyscrapers of ancient Edinburgh. It might be a good idea to join a walking tour to get a quick summary of the notable buildings and personalities that inhabited them. Top tip: the Scottish parliament is at the foot of the Royal Mile. Go inside and find out about the story behind its whacky design.

7. Scott Monument

This iconic Victorian Gothic structure was built to celebrate the popular Scottish author, Sir Walter Scott. There’s so much detail and visual appeal, it can be captured from various directions and angles. Some of the best shots can be obtained when it’s lit up at night. You can climb all the way to the top and click photos from various levels.

8. Victoria Street

Like Circus Lane, Victoria Street too has gained Instagram fame. What’s not to like? It’s a row of colourful shops and eateries on a curved and cobbled street. It’s always a visual treat for photographers. I particularly love walking through this street at night-time, during the Christmas season – it’s lit up beautifully.

9. The Vennel Steps

A superb view of the castle through old houses and lamp posts, you might have to wait your turn to get a photo without fellow tourists in the frame. I’ve found wet evenings, once the lights are turned on, to be the best time to capture the most Instagrammable shots.

10. White Horse Close

This lovely courtyard is a well kept secret. You’ll need to know about it, or you might miss it as you walk past it. The houses and greens are so well maintained that your photos will easily turn out to be extremely desirable.

11. Arthur’s Seat & Salisbury Crags

Are you ready for a hike? Some of the best views of Edinburgh and the Castle are possible from Arthur’s Seat. Salisbury Crags is one level below. You can easily wander through this nature park and find the best vantage points. A word of caution – the cliffs of Salisbury Crags might not be safe and there have been a number of accidents in recent times. Take care and don’t risk anything for a mere photograph.

12. Holyrood Palace & Abbey

The Queen’s residence in Edinburgh and an Abbey in ruin. You need to buy tickets to enter these buildings. It’s money well spent as you can capture a great number of photos within and outside the palace.

13. Pentland Hills

Want to experience a taste of the Scottish highlands without travelling far? The Pentland Hills to the South of Edinburgh can transport you into a mystical terrain. You might need a whole day to explore the hills and carry water and snacks (there are no shops out there).

14. Blackford Hill (BONUS)

This is not a standard touristy place as it takes a bit of effort to get here. Blackford Hill is one of the seven hills of Edinburgh and offers stunning views of the city and beyond. You can see all the way to North Berwick and Bass Rock. Below the hill, there runs a small river (burn), through the woods. There are a number of walking routes that take you out of the city and transport you into deep nature with the constant sound of running water. This is the place to head to if you are needing a break away from the buzz of the city.

15. Craiglockhart Hill (BONUS)

Another hill, not very accessible, but offers great views of the West side of the city. You are in for a treat if you can find the small clearing in the woods and step out onto the rock. Craiglockhart Hill is primarily a dog walkers paradise frequented by locals. Every time I am up here, I think that visitors to this beautiful city should definitely come up and enjoy the gorgeous views.