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It’s always a good time to have photos taken together as a couple! Debbie and Dave are already grandparents and took the opportunity of having beautiful images taken together when they traveled to Scotland. The beautiful Pentland Hills near Edinburgh are the most perfect backdrop for a couples session!
How did you choose the location?
Ieva, the photographer: Debbie & Dave from the US flew into Edinburgh but wanted to have their session in nature. Luckily, there are quite a few locations in and around Edinburgh that feel like you’re out in the countryside but actually are very easily accessible from Edinburgh either by car or public transport. I suggested a few of these locations to the couple and they ended up choosing Glencorse Reservoir in the Pentland Hills ( a range of hills surrounding Edinburgh) so they could get a Highland type landscape with the hills and a beautiful water view. We opted to schedule the session for golden hour/sunset time as I scouted out the location before and knew the sun would be setting over the water.
Do you require any special permits or permission from landowners to take photos here?
Ieva: No, these are public lands which do not require permits to shoot at in Scotland.
How easy is the location to access? Is it suitable for all ages and abilities?
Ieva: The locations are a fair walk away from the car park (20+ minutes) and there’s a small but steep hill to climb to get to the beautiful views of the reservoir from above so a moderate level of fitness is required.
Why should couples consider having a photoshoot in this location/area?
Ieva: For couples who, like Debbie & Dave, are staying in Edinburgh but want to shoot somewhere that has a Highland-esque vibe, the Pentland Hills are the perfect location that is easily accessible from the city (there’s even a bus that runs pretty regularly that gets you almost as close as the car park so you don’t even need a car to get to this location). There is a gorgeous walk around the reservoir with hills surrounding it on both sides. You are pretty much guaranteed to see cute sheep frolicking about as well as possibly spotting wildlife like hares and birds of prey.
What are your top tips for planning a shoot in this area?
Ieva: My top tip would be to make sure that the couple has a moderate fitness level as the best views will only be accessible by climbing a small hill. I would recommend shooting either at sunrise or sunset so there are fewer hikers around, however sunset would be the very best time for gorgeous lighting over the reservoir.
Is there a best time of year to visit this location?
Ieva: Glencorse Reservoir is beautiful in every season. Debbie & Dave’s session took place in late November when the trees were already mostly bare, however the hills were still green (Scotland stays fairly green all year long) so it was beautiful nevertheless. However, if you wanted to have the blooming yellow gorse bushes in the photos which cover the hills in the most beautiful bright hues, the best time to shoot would be between April and June. If you plan to have your session between late November and early March, there could also be frost/snowfall though this is not very likely as it rarely snows in Scotland.
Any other advice or tips you would like to share based on your experience?
Ieva: My best advice would be to scout out the location beforehand because there are many different areas and points of view you may want to consider. It is quite a large area and you can take advantage of many different backgrounds. I would also recommend wearing sensible shoes (my clients opted for wellies but any comfortable boots/hiking shoes would be great) and bringing jackets in case of expected or unexpected rainfall (this is Scotland after all). I would recommend leaving at least two hours for the session so you are not rushed as there is plenty of walking in between locations and the clients should be given plenty of time to enjoy the area and take in all the beautiful nature.
The Vendors:
Photography: Ieva Marija Photography
