Street Photography in Edinburgh

The Royal Mile runs just under a mile from the castle down to Holyrood, and it is really five streets joined together. Expect pipers, tour groups, shopkeepers and, in August, Fringe street events on the High Street and Hunter Square. Walmsley shot scenes like people waiting at a corner and politicians in a rush. Stand at the mouth of a close and shoot out onto the busy street, so the dark walls frame the crowd. Early morning gives you long shadows down the slope. Crowds are heavy from late morning, so keep your bag in front.

Cockburn Street curves down from the Royal Mile toward Waverley Station, and Fleshmarket Close cuts across it in steep steps. Walmsley photographed the junction for its light and shadow, looking up both streets. On a sunny afternoon, a hard line of light falls across the steps. Stand at the bottom and wait for a single figure to climb into the bright patch. The shop fronts and curve of Cockburn Street work well for layers. The steps are slippery in rain, so wear shoes with grip.

Victoria Street is the curved, colourful street that drops from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket, a broad square of pubs under the castle rock. Finding the Universe calls it the most photographed street in Edinburgh, busy all day and rarely free of parked cars. Get there before 8:00 for the curve with a few walkers, or come back on a wet evening when the shop colours reflect on the cobbles. Shoot down the curve from the upper terrace. The Grassmarket gets loud late at night, so keep your camera close.

The Vennel is a stepped lane that climbs from the Grassmarket to Heriot Place. Turn around as you climb and the steps lead straight to the castle, a composition that works at any time of day and at night. For street work, forget the castle as the subject. Wait at the top or bottom for one person climbing, and let the steps and old wall carry the frame. A 35mm lens fits the whole line. It is a popular photo stop, so give other photographers and residents room.

Calton Hill is a short climb from the east end of Princes Street and gives you the classic view across the city to the castle. It is the most popular sunset spot in Edinburgh. For street photography, turn around and shoot the people watching the view: couples on the steps of the National Monument, walkers against the sky. At sunset the sun sits behind the castle, so faces go into silhouette. Wind is strong up there, so hold your camera steady and dress warmly.

Dean Village is an old mill settlement in the valley of the Water of Leith, about a 15 minute walk west of the centre. It is famous for its houses by the river and the tall Dean Bridge above. It is also a residential street, and residents have put up signs asking visitors to keep noise down and stay off doorsteps. Come early, before 8:00, when it is quiet and the light is soft. Look for dog walkers and runners on the river path. Keep voices low and do not fly a drone.

Leith Walk is one of the longest streets in Edinburgh, running from the east end of the centre down to Leith. It is a real high street: cafés, barbers, grocery shops and bus stops, with far fewer visitors than the Old Town. Local walking groups such as Street Photo Social start here and work the back streets toward the harbour. Walk it downhill in the late afternoon, when side streets throw light across the pavement. Shop windows and bus shelters give you reflections. People are busy, so work fast and politely.

The Shore is the old harbour street in the centre of Leith, lined with pubs and restaurants along the Water of Leith. In the evening, people drink outside and the water catches the sky. I'd come at golden hour and shoot along the quay, using the bridges and railings as frames. Walk the back streets on either side for older buildings and quieter corners. After dark, raise your ISO and use pub light on faces. The quay edge has no barrier in places, so watch your footing.