Last Updated on 11/02/2026 by Armands Sprogis
Andy contacted me when planning his unique surprise proposal in Edinburgh, and I had this sense from the first conversation that this wouldn’t be an ordinary one. He was frantically looking for someone to capture this special moment, and nobody was responding to his message. Finally, he came across my proposal photography services, and planning began.
Planning a Surprise Proposal in Edinburgh
He explained his original idea, and in fact, he had hired a plane with a banner flying over the city, which was such an unforgettable proposal moment. But the weather forecast showed strong winds and hazardous conditions. Andy initially wanted to do this at Edinburgh Castle, but a quick conversation and checking out the plane’s flight line made it all too clear that this would not work. They would be using an aircraft at the other side of the castle, and the high walls would make the view impossible. Had they pursued this plan, they wouldn’t have seen the banner whatsoever.
Fortunately, Andy came through on time. Deciding on the right place, with the Surprise Proposal, I offered Calton Hill as an alternative. It’s elevated in space, provides breathtaking views of the city, and crucially would put the two of them at eye level with a plane if it flew the same route originally mapped out for the castle.
CHECK MY GUIDE FOR PROPOSAL LOCATIONS IN EDINBURGH
When the Original Proposal Plan Fell Apart
At that moment, everything seemed right back on course. And then came the call the night before the proposal. The flight company had cancelled. The winds were too strong, and the plane would not be flying from Liverpool at all. Andy was understandably lost, and ideas were running thin. He still desired something special, something more than “just sitting on one knee”, but time was a problem.
A Creative Last-Minute Proposal Idea
Thinking on My Feet.
I still vividly remember sitting in my car in a car park, trying to figure out just how to help Andy. And then it hit me. What if we did the same sort of visual impact, except with no plane? Rather than a banner flying high, we might have a bunch of people saying “Will You Marry Me?” signs, uncovered at the ideal time of her turning around. Same surprise. Even greater emotional effect.
Now, it was a simple (but serious problem): where do you find people on such short notice? Fortunately, my daughter is in high school. I asked if she could assist in putting together a group for a reward, and we settled on something generous enough that nobody would bail at the last minute. For that, it was all systems go:
A quick sprint to the stores for supplies. Poster boards and markers purchased. Signs were plastered the same evening. Three hours later… we were all set.
A short video of a proposal on Calton Hill
The Big Day arrived for this unique surprise proposal on Calton Hill.
It was still very windy. But we arrived early, prepared and ready, the kids lined up and were waiting. We did a quick test run to see where the positions for both the group and the couple stood. A few tourists came as well and were interested to find out what was happening. When Andy arrived at Calton Hill with his partner, we quietly accompanied them to the very spot I sent Andy a photo of that day.
She was looking at the city, staring at the sea, blissfully ignorant of the news behind her. The group quietly lined up. She turned around. And there it was. Tears. Andy is on one knee. A perfect “yes”. History made. Ending a Perfect Ending to a Surprise Proposal in Edinburgh.
Andy and his fiancée and I then began to explore a few more places around Calton Hill, one of my all-time faves for proposals in Edinburgh, taking some quiet, celebratory photos. It could not have ended any better.
