Most Loved Photographs of the Year – Edinburgh 2020

In this strange old rollercoaster year which has been 2020, taking and sharing photos of beautiful Edinburgh has been one of the things we’ve enjoyed most. We know many of you love the city and planned to be here this year but couldn’t travel. These photos have helped us to stay connected. And because the pace of the year has been so different, we’ve lived and experienced the seasons and city in a different, more present way.

In this blog we’ve put together our most loved photographs from this year to take you on a journey of beautiful Edinburgh in all its glory. We’ve posted all these photos on  Instagram and if you don’t already follow us there and like what you see, please connect with us there. Thank you!

1. Our new office space

This is quite a photo to look back on! The Dickins team were energised and excited as we came into 2020. We spent the Christmas break transforming our office space inside and out and couldn’t wait to use our new window on the world. Little did we know what was coming and that the office would be closed since 21st March and we’d be working remotely. …

2. Edinburgh Castle

Bustling around Edinburgh on a brisk February morning Louise captured this lovely view from Johnston Terrace of Edinburgh Castle It may not be the most recognisable angle but we think it shows off more of the ‘fortress’ side to this iconic Edinburgh building. It almost looks as though the Castle is born from the volcanic rock it sits on!

3. Arthur’s Seat

When ‘daily exercise’ became one of three reasons we could leave our homes, city centre residents have never felt so grateful for our expansive green spaces. A good walk on Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags can feel like you’re in the middle of the countryside, not the city. And in lockdown the weather was absolutely amazing, meaning these walks (often taken by me at sunrise) were an absolute joy.

4. Cherry Blossom

We always love Cherry Blossom season in Edinburgh, and this year was one of our favourites in a long time. With us being in lockdown, nature thrived and it was wonderful to watch it come to life. Pop over to our Best Places to see Cherry Blossom in Edinburgh blog for more cherry blossom inspired photographs.

5. White Horse Close

The picturesque collection of buildings nestled in White Horse Close really grabs your eye. We love walking through there as we pass by. The close gets its name from the historic White Horse Inn, which was a well known coaching inn in its day until it closed in the late 18th century. This picture was taken at Christmas time last year when the residents had a lovely wreath on their door.

6. Flowers on Circus Lane

Lockdown allowed us all to spend time nurturing our gardens like never before. I do love a pretty flower and Circus Lane is always guaranteed to delight. The owners of homes there have created something truly wonderful with their tiny spaces for us all to enjoy.

7. The Royal Mile in lockdown

It was extraordinary to see The Royal Mile completely deserted in lockdown. There will have been no point in history when anyone will have seen the streets like this. We hope it won’t happen again! I frequently got up really early to explore the city in this eerie silence. You always spoke to anyone who passed by about how weird it was. There was a strong feeling to connect with passers by.

8. Wellington Coffee

After months of lockdown, July saw the cautious opening up of businesses in Edinburgh. This is also when masks started becoming the norm. It was a wonderful sight to see people safely supporting fantastic local businesses like Wellington Coffee on the corner of George Street.

9. Carlton Terrace Mews

It’s not always the photos you expect that get the most attention! This photograph from Carlton Mews was our first ever to get over 1,000 likes on Instagram and it now stands at 1,708. People seem to love mews buildings.

10. Hopetoun Crescent

This was a real highlight of 2020 for the Dickins team. After all the unknowns, we were finally able to do what we do best, provide guests with a first class guest experience in a wonderful Dickins home!

Ensuring the home met all the new safety guidelines, Louise felt a sense of pride checking our Hopetoun Cresent home before our guests arrived. Our housekeepers do such a great job and the owners here had worked really hard too. What a team!

Although a very popular home, Hopetoun Crescent is available to book later in 2021.

11. Autumn in Edinburgh

Autumn in Edinburgh is stunning. We find September and October can be the most wonderful time to explore the city. Watching the seasons change in Edinburgh is a real privilege and the autumnal colour pallet that is painted over the background of Edinburgh sandstone is just breathtaking.

12. Queen Mary’s Bath House

Mary Queen of Scots is said to have bathed in sweet white wine in this very spot! It looks like a pretty draughty structure to be bathing in, but was maybe the height of luxury at the time. We love the way the pavement wraps around it. This is our most liked photograph of 2020 on Instagram – and the idea of bathing in wine remains debated!

13. Decorations for December

Each year there are complaints about how early decorations and Christmas music pops up, but this year it seems decorations and all things cheerful are absolutely welcomed. Louise spotted this lovely home on Queen Street on the 1st December and it brought a wonderful sense of cheer. We’ve since spotted many more around town so be sure to follow us on Instagram to see them all.

What a year it has been. Without a doubt, there have been a lot of ups and downs for everyone and we hope our photographs were able to bring a bit of light and joy to your day.

Here’s to life feeling a bit more normal at some point in 2021. We have exciting plans for the business, so watch this space and in the meantime, we wish you all a Happy Christmas and that where ever you are you keep safe and well.