Edinburgh Evening Panorama

A panoramic view of one of the finest skylines in the world

Although I have lived away for more years than I’d care te contemplate, my home city of Edinburgh has always held a fascination within my heart. The skyline is quite extraordinary, a unique and intoxicating blend of Gothic and Classical. The dramatic castle dominates the surrounding spires and gables of the Old Town, jostling for position amidst the domes and crenellated neo-classical architectural features of the stunning New Town and university buildings, not forgetting the Athenian folly of Calton Hill. With the theatrical backdrop of Holyrood Park, and Fife and the Firth of Forth in the distance, the entire scene really is quite mesmerising.

This viewpoint I had planned for some time, but never managed to find a way to get to it. It’s a hidden – almost secret – viewpoint, and has quickly become one of my favourites places to enjoy in blissful peace and quiet this wonderful spectacle. This panorama view of Edinburgh is a stunning example of what must be one of the finest skylines in the world.

One evening on a balmy, still and warm late summer’s evening in 2022 I ventured out. I was accompanied by my American friend Kenny who has now settled in Edinburgh (and who swears he will never leave). It’s quite an arduous walk to get to this location, not least if carrying heavy cameras, tripods and large, powerful telephoto lenses. I used a 300mm lens for this panorama, but could easily have gone to 500mm, such is the distance we were shooting from. I patiently waited for the light to be just right – sunsets last hours in the summer in Scotland! – and then captured this 10 shot panorama. I knew it was fantastic without even looking into the viewfinder; the light and colours were just magical, and I knew the extraordinary richness of detail and tone in my ultra high resolution panorama techniques would pay suitable homage to this amazing city and viewpoint.

This evening panorama of Edinburgh captures the most beautiful features and monuments of this fine city, looking over the rooftops of much of the West End, with the castle at right and Calton Hill at left, and in the distance the rolling hills of Fife.

I will never tire of this view, just how I will always feel that thrill of closeness to the city that will always be my hometown.