Are you a Scottish A-Level art teacher looking for a dynamic, educational, and inspiring field trip for your students? PicTours offers a unique, one-hour Edinburgh Photography Tour designed to complement the A-Level photography curriculum. Explore the city’s rich artistic landscape while reinforcing key skills your students are learning in class.
Plus, thanks to Historic Environment Scotland, you can also take advantage of their free learning trips, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, and even receive help with travel costs!
Why Choose Our Edinburgh Photography Tour?
Tailored to A-Level Curriculum
Our photography tour is specially crafted to align with the Scottish A-Level photography syllabus, offering your students practical applications of the concepts they’ve been studying. During the tour, we focus on:
- Composition techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing
- Using light and shadows in an urban environment
- Capturing textures and patterns in architecture and landscapes
- Storytelling through visual media and imagery
- Experimenting with perspective and framing
These key topics are demonstrated in real-world settings, helping students translate theory into creative practice while strengthening their portfolios.
Explore Edinburgh’s Artistic and Historic Sites
Edinburgh’s beautiful and historic streets provide the perfect backdrop for student photographers. The one-hour tour takes them to some of the city’s most iconic locations, including:
- Edinburgh Castle – perfect for wide-angle shots and capturing a sense of scale
- St. Giles’ Cathedral – for capturing intricate details and contrasting textures
- Victoria Street – a lesson in color theory and storytelling through architecture
- Princes Street Gardens – ideal for practicing nature and landscape photography
At each stop, students get the chance to apply different techniques and explore various photographic styles, learning how to adapt their approach to different subjects.
Hands-On Learning with Expert Guidance
We encourage students to bring their cameras or smartphones to engage actively in the process. Throughout the tour, our expert guides provide feedback and tips to help students refine their shots and improve their technical and artistic skills. This hands-on experience enhances their confidence and creativity while helping them master essential photography techniques.
Historic Environment Scotland: Free Edinburgh Castle Visits
What makes this field trip even better? Historic Environment Scotland offers free school visits to Edinburgh Castle, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Teachers can book a free learning session where students can delve into the history of this world-famous fortress, enriching their understanding of Scotland’s artistic and cultural heritage.
These school visits align with the Curriculum for Excellence, helping students further their studies of historical and architectural photography. It’s a great way to complement the visual storytelling and composition techniques covered in our photography tour.
Subsidized Travel Costs for Schools
For many schools, travel expenses can be a challenge when planning a field trip. Fortunately, Historic Environment Scotland offers subsidies to help with travel costs. This fantastic offer makes it more affordable for schools across Scotland to bring students to Edinburgh for an unforgettable educational experience.
By combining your school’s visit to Edinburgh Castle with our PicTours Photography Tour, you can create an enriched, all-in-one educational experience for your students. Imagine them exploring historic sites, learning about composition and lighting, and then stepping into Edinburgh Castle for an in-depth exploration of history and architecture—all at minimal cost!
How to Plan Your Field Trip
Planning your next A-Level art field trip is simple! Here’s how to make the most of your visit:
- Book the Free Edinburgh Castle Learning Session:
Head over to the Historic Environment Scotland website to reserve your free school visit to Edinburgh Castle. This visit aligns perfectly with A-Level art and photography studies, offering insight into historical architecture and cultural significance. - Schedule Your PicTours Photography Tour:
Once your visit to the castle is confirmed, contact us at PicTours to arrange your photography tour. We’ll coordinate the timing and customize the experience based on your students’ needs, ensuring they get the most out of their time in Edinburgh. - Apply for Travel Subsidies:
Don’t forget to check the travel subsidies offered by Historic Environment Scotland, which can help with transportation costs. These subsidies make it easier for schools across Scotland to bring students to the capital for a day of learning and inspiration.
Combine History, Art, and Practical Skills in One Trip
A-Level art and photography students thrive when given the chance to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world experiences. By combining a PicTours Edinburgh Photography Tour with a Historic Environment Scotland visit to Edinburgh Castle, your students will develop:
- A stronger understanding of both historical and contemporary art
- Practical photography skills they can apply directly to their coursework
- An enriched portfolio with a diverse range of shots from some of Scotland’s most famous sites
Book Today!
Let PicTours and Historic Environment Scotland help you plan an unforgettable field trip for your students. Give them the opportunity to immerse themselves in Edinburgh’s unique blend of history, art, and photography. For more information or to schedule your tour, contact us today!
