St. Cuthberts Kirkyard

Tucked behind Princes Street in Edinburgh’s West End, St Cuthbert’s kirkyard offers one of the city’s most atmospheric views toward Edinburgh Castle. This portrait frames row of weathered headstones along the wall between the kirkyard and Princes Street Gardens with the floodlit castle sitting above in the distance. Only a few steps down from the hustle and bustle of Princes Street, this easily accessible view is a busier thoroughfare than you might imagine.

Shooting in the colder months is preferable here, so you don’t need to be hanging around a graveyard too late at night, but also because the leafless trees won’t obscure the view of the castle, and they add to the eerie feeling of the shot overall. The contrast of the blue hour sky and the orange floodlights works well, but is interesting when the castle is illuminated in different colours. Take care moving on the uneven ground at night. A decent torch is recommended for footing and focusing on the nearest stonework.

Edinburgh Castle at dusk from St. Cuthbert's Kirkyard