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Recently, Wildling Weddings was lucky enough to photograph the beautiful matrimony of Kat and Rick at one of Edinburgh’s most scenic natural spots, Dunsapie Loch.
Although a city wedding may be offputting to the nature lover, this particular area is as quiet as it is glorious and is ideal for a Dunsapie Loch Edinburgh wedding.
Photography by Wildling Weddings at Dunsapie Loch
Where is Dunsapie Loch?
How to Get to Dunsapie Loch From Edinburgh
Dunsapie Loch is approximately 15 minutes (2.3 miles) by car from Edinburgh city centre, and there are plenty of public transport options, depending on where in the city you are staying.
Why Get Married at Dunsapie Loch?
A quiet, peaceful ceremony off the beaten track while still being close to the urban action of Edinburgh offers couples the best of both worlds for their wedding.
Even though popular rural wedding spots like Arthur’s Seat have a nature element to them, they are often populated with tourists and city-dwelling hikers, owing to being a public space, meaning privacy can be limited.
At Dunsapie Loch, you will feel like you’re in the thick of the Highlands’ wilderness, while being a 15-minute drive from the city if that is where your reception and/or accommodation is.
Despite technically being in the city, Dunsapie Loch provides all the rural charm you could hope for – peaceful rolling hills, a mountain summit, and of course, the calm waters of the loch itself.
Finally, because of Scotland’s relaxed laws on outdoor wedding ceremonies, it is perfectly legal to tie the knot almost anywhere outdoors – so if you’re wondering whether there is a designated area or venue at Dunsapie Loch to complete the legal part of the ceremony – there isn’t!
Dunsapie Loch Opening Times
Technically, the loch is open all the time, but be mindful that the car park has set opening hours:
- Tues to Thur, 9.30 am to 3 pm
- Sat & Sun all roads are closed to vehicles during the day. Closures commence from 8.15 am to 9 am.
Holyrood Park
As we mentioned earlier, Dunsapie Loch belongs to one of Edinburgh’s greatest treasures: Holyrood Park.
Most cities have a nice park or two to break up the concrete jungle aspect, but Holyrood Park is something else altogether. Not only is it one of Scotland’s most beautiful city parks – it’s also one of the oldest.
Located on Queen’s Drive in Edinburgh, this slice of natural heaven is all misty hilltops, moody crags, and epic skylines, and has an archeological history that spans literally thousands of years – as far back as 500 BC, to be precise.
Oh, and there are also the remains of an ancient (and completely dormant) volcano, otherwise known as the famous Arthur’s Seat.
As well as hosting your glorious al fresco ceremony, there is plenty to do in Holyrood Park if you wanted to stick around a little longer, which we will go into shortly.
Holyrood Park Opening Times
You’ll be pleased to know that Holyrood Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Photography by Wildling Weddings at Dunsapie Loch
Radical Road Footpath
One of the key reasons many happy couples flock to Scotland for their wedding or honeymoon is its fantastic outdoor scene. Scotland may be a small country but it is bursting at the seams with outstanding natural beauty – and it is ideal for lovers of walking/hiking.
At the foot of Arthur’s Seat is Radical Road (although it is more of a footpath than an actual road), which was built in the 18th century and overlooks the park. Radical Road is home to some pretty famous areas, including Salisbury Crags.
Radical Road to Arthur’s Seat Hike - Currently Closed
As we mentioned earlier, Scotland is a popular destination for hiking wedding enthusiasts, so those wanting to say their vows at a pleasant elevation can do so here.
Hike details:
Intensity: Moderate
Distance: 3.9 km
Elevation Gain: 315 meters
Estimated Time: 1.46 hrs
Note: The Radical Road footpath is currently closed.
Edinburgh Reception Venues
Some of our favourite wedding reception venues in (or near) Edinburgh include:
Things to Do Near Dunsapie Loch
If you’re hoping to combine a vacation with your wedding/elopement in Edinburgh, here are some of the most enjoyable activities to tick off your Dunsapie Loch/Holyrood Park bucket list.
Climb Arthur’s Seat
There really is no better way to take in the incredible 360° panoramic views of the city than hiking up to Arthur’s Seat.
At an elevation of 251 meters, this moderate-level hike takes you to the tallest point in the city, allowing for some jaw-dropping views. Also, lovers of folklore will revel in the tales and myths surrounding Arthur’s Seat and – you guessed it – King Arthur, which includes the theory that Holyrood Park is where the mythical fort of Camelot was.
The Three Lochs
Along with Dunsapie Loch, there are two other glorious lochs to explore: St. Margaret’s Loch and Duddingston Loch.
Unlike the abundance of sea lochs in Scotland, the Three Lochs are freshwater and are home to a great number of waterfowl, including swans, geese, and ducks.
Duddingston Village
Nestled quietly among the Edinburgh city limits is the village of Duddingston, which, unlike the more contemporary areas of the city, has been relatively untouched by modernity, making it ideal for lovers of architecture and history alike.
Duddingston Village is also home to one of the country’s oldest pubs, the Sheep Heid Inn, so why not stop by for a drink and a meal to enjoy the old-school British pub experience?!
Photography by Wildling Weddings at Dunsapie Loch
St. Margaret’s Well
One of Holyrood’s many old-fashioned landmarks is St. Margaret’s Well, which is a category B-listed holy well (although it no longer stands as a functioning water provider), the waters of which were once hugely sought-after owing to their alleged medicinal and healing properties.
Dr. Neil’s Botanical Garden
Considered a hidden gem, Dr. Neil’s Garden is a peaceful and quiet secret garden, making it ideal for a break away from the hustle and bustle of the city. So much so, that it was voted the most peaceful spot in a UK city.
St. Anthony’s Chapel Ruins
Scotland is a hotbed of ancient castles, churches, and abbeys, and Holyrood Park has its very own chapel (well, the ruins of a chapel) – not to be confused with Holyrood Abbey.
Overlooking St. Margaret’s Loch, St. Anthony’s Chapel’s remains have baffled many a historian over the years, as very little is known about the history or origin of the church, save that historians generally agree it dates back to the 14th century.
As for a walking area, this one is ideal for a lazy Sunday afternoon stroll or an easy level hike for novices.
Innocent Railway Line
Another of the city’s best-kept secrets is the many (now defunct) railway lines. This one, in particular, is curiously titled ‘Innocent Railway Line’.
This line, which runs from Newington to Craigmillar, is one of the few former tracks that haven’t been removed in order for the land to be converted to footpaths and is now an interesting – if not slightly eerie – walk, owing to its echoey atmosphere and olden day vibe.
Don’t worry – the line is disused and completely safe to walk along.
Places to Stay Near Dunsapie Loch
Kat & Rick’s Wedding at Dunsapie Loch in Edinburgh
As you can see, Kat and Rick had the most scrumptious lochside wedding at Dunsapie.
Photography by Wildling Weddings at Dunsapie Loch
Wedding Photoshoot & Glencoe Elopement Package
Here at Wildling Weddings, we recently launched our very own all-inclusive elopement package for couples wanting a small, intimate gathering over the more traditional large-scale wedding.
Without a doubt, Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands is one of the most mesmerising, atmospheric locations in the country, and it is no surprise that elopees find it so desirable.
It was with this in mind that I created an all-inclusive Glencoe, Isle of Skye, and Edinburgh elopement package to take the stress and strain out of organising your special day – as well as photographing it.
I will organise all the important stuff, including the cake, the celebrant, the flowers, and everything in between. And when your special day arrives, I will be there to photograph it and ensure you have the most magical keepsakes of your wedding.
Also, as the photographer, I am legally able to act as one of the ceremony witnesses – for those wanting to keep the headcount as small as possible!
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