What do I think about Craigmillar Castle as your proposal and engagement photography location?
I have photographed proposals and couples’ engagement sessions for over a decade now. Wow, that sounds like a long time, but that’s just how much I enjoy capturing couples’ personalities.
Location is important, and I wouldn’t dedicate a whole blog post to Craigmillar Castle if I didn’t believe it’s a great spot. You can check my main Edinburgh proposal location blog post here and my Where to Propose Quitly in Edinburgh blog post for more introverted couples.
Initially, Myles asked me to shoot a proposal at this castle, and funnily enough, despite living in Edinburgh for over two decades, I hadn’t visited yet. I decided to do a little recce exploration before the actual session date. I always do this at new locations to make sure I know the best spots and don’t waste too much time running around and experimenting.
You can watch my initial walk-around video in my Quiet Locations to Propose guide. I was pleasantly surprised by how many options this little castle offers. There are lovely fields around the castle, and you also have indoor sheltered spots in case it rains. Not to mention the amazing tower where Myles proposed to Gabrielle. There’s also a smaller lower tower where I love to take portraits.
The main hall has a beautiful fireplace and little side rooms for moodier shots. I really enjoyed working here and can 100% recommend this hidden gem over Edinburgh Castle purely for its peace and quiet, without the crowds of tourists. Craigmillar Castle has its own charm for sure, and if you’re after a lesser-known castle with a sense of privacy, I definitely recommend considering it.
How to get to Craigmillar Castle
It’s a little way out of central Edinburgh, so you’ll need to plan ahead. Of course, the easiest way to get there is by taxi. You can also take public transport, like a bus, but be prepared for a 20-minute walk from the bus stop.
Check buses here: Lothian Buses
Click on your bus stop to check real-time updates.
After the session, it’s the same—bus or taxi.
Before visiting, please check the tickets as well. You can pre-book this very well in advance
Tips for planning your proposal at Craigmillar Castle
Check out Myles’s proposal at Craigmillar Castle.
“We did proposal photography with Armands and it was a phenomenal experience. I wanted to propose at Craigmillar Castle and Armands went beforehand, scoped out the best spots, and sent me a detailed video of the entire castle, which already feels like above and beyond.
Then the day of the proposal; He’s very good at blending in as a casual photographer and surprised my now-Fiancé when he introduced himself after I had proposed.
As for the shoot, it was fantastic. Armands took us all across the castle, taking sweet and romantic photos but also some funny and more expressive ones as well, coming up with ideas as he went! He is very thorough with posing instructions and kept a smile on me and my Fiancé’s faces the whole time. If you’re planning on popping the question in the Edinburgh area, I highly recommend letting Armands capture the moment with you.”
Myles and Garielle
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