• The Balmoral Spa - The Balmoral Hotel, a landmark in Edinburgh’s city center, was originally known as the North British Hotel when it opened in 1902. It took six years to build and was part of the British Railway Hotels group until Gleneagles Hotel acquired it in 1983. In 1997, Forte Hotels purchased it from Gleneagles. The hotel’s exterior provides several excellent photo opportunities, particularly from Leith Street, where a documentary-style shot can be captured amidst tourists heading to Calton Hill.
• Calton Hill - Offering panoramic views of Edinburgh, Calton Hill overlooks Prince’s Street, Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood, Leith, and the Firth of Forth. It is home to several monuments and buildings, including the National Monument, Nelson Monument, Dougray Stewart Monument, the old Royal High School, Robert Burns Monument, Political Martyrs Monument, and the City Observatory. Calton Hill is ideal for various photoshoots, from close-up headshots to creative poses with the iconic Edinburgh skyline as a backdrop.
• Jacob’s Ladder - Jacob’s Ladder in Edinburgh is a steep pedestrian path carved into the volcanic rock of Calton Hill. It first appeared on a map in 1784, though it likely existed earlier. This path connects Calton Road with Regent Road, near St Andrew’s House, Calton Hill, and the Old Royal High School. It serves as a convenient shortcut for locals, workers, and tourists, offering unique views of Waverley Station and Old Town. The path’s length provides diverse photo opportunities, capturing the model’s vulnerability from above or their confidence from below. For a city-center backdrop, it is unparalleled. Participants should exercise caution due to the steep gradient and narrow steps.
• Cannongate Tolbooth - Descending Jacob’s Ladder leads to Calton Road, through ‘Waverley Square,’ and onto the Canongate, the southern end of the Royal Mile. This iconic medieval street stretches from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House and the Scottish Parliament Building. The Tolbooth Tavern, part of the original Canongate Tolbooth built in 1591, was initially used to collect tolls from travelers entering the burgh. It became The Tolbooth Tavern in 1820 and has also served as a Council Chamber, Police Court, and Prison. The Tolbooth Tavern offers another iconic backdrop for photoshoots, with numerous posing possibilities either across the road or near the Tavern itself.
• Holyrood Park - Located at the base of the Royal Mile, Holyrood is home to the Scottish Parliament, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Holyrood Park, all under the shadow of the Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat. The area is named after Holyrood Abbey, which has been in ruins since the 18th century. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is King Charles’ official residence in Scotland and was where the Queen rested during her final journey in Edinburgh in September. Across from the Palace is the Scottish Parliament building, opened in 2004. This unique building provides a distinctive backdrop for photoshoots, with the Canongate Wall allowing shots with the Royal Mile in the background. The reflection pools outside the Parliament Building also offer diverse shooting possibilities.
• Royal Mile - From Holyrood, the journey continues up the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle, offering a variety of additional photoshoot opportunities along this iconic medieval street.
• Grassmarket - The Grassmarket, one of Edinburgh’s historic marketplaces, was used for horse and cattle sales and public executions. Situated below the Royal Mile, it offers a stunning view of the Castle, providing a splendid backdrop for photoshoots. The benches and seats in the Grassmarket are perfect for seated shots of the model.
• The Vennel Viewpoint Edinburgh Castle - The Vennel viewpoint has become one of the most Instagrammed spots in Edinburgh in recent years. Despite potential annoyance to local residents, it remains a must-visit for any photoshoot tour of the capital city. The location offers a wide range of shots, with the castle either fully or partially in the background. The model can pose standing, half-turned towards the photographer, leaning against the handrail, or sitting or walking up the stairs.
• Dean Village - Dean Village is another popular Instagram spot that is essential for any Edinburgh photoshoot tour. This former village, northwest of the city center, is bounded by Belford Road, Belgrave Crescent Gardens, and the Dean Bridge. Known as the “Water of Leith Village,” it was a successful grain milling area for over 800 years, with up to eleven working mills powered by the Water of Leith. There are two main shooting opportunities in Dean Village: upon entering the village with the Water of Leith visible and down by the water with the village as a backdrop.
• Water of Leith Walkway - The Water of Leith, the main river near central Edinburgh, flows into the port of Leith and the sea via the Firth of Forth. The walkway, which passes St Bernard’s Well, and the Water itself offer excellent photoshoot opportunities.
• Princes Street Gardens - Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument provide numerous opportunities for a fantastic photoshoot, especially with the castle in the background.
• Edinburgh Waverley Station - Waverley Bridge offers a superb vantage point for capturing shots with the Old Town in the background.
• Warriston’s Close - These iconic steps provide numerous opportunities for memorable shots in the heart of Old Town.
• Cockburn Street - The tour concludes at the remarkable curved street of Cockburn Street.

• Tea and coffee
• Lunch

The concept of a photoshoot tour came to me during my time in Edinburgh, making this far from the first one of its kind. However, what sets this tour apart is the range of tours available and the upscale product we provide.

Designed for models expanding their portfolio, or tourists looking for a tangible memento of their visit, this Photoshoot Tour is a perfect fit.

IMPORTANT - AS THIS IS A WALKING TOUR, WE WON’T BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TRANSIT. A BASIC LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ABILITY IS NEEDED. THE TOTAL DISTANCE OF THE TOUR IS 6 MILES, WITH THE COMPLETE PHOTOSHOOT TOUR LASTING APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS.

Included in the Tour: A photoshoot at as many as 14 unique Edinburgh locations, a comprehensive tour guide and look book, high and low-resolution digital files of at least 50 images delivered via WeTransfer within two days of the tour, a photo album with the photoshoot’s highlights, coffee break midway, and a meal at a local Edinburgh spot after the tour.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.