National Monument of Scotland
Perched on Calton Hill, this unfinished replica of the Parthenon offers one of Edinburgh's most striking architectural subjects, its twelve massive sandstone columns rising dramatically against the sky. The incomplete structure works in your favor photographically, as the open colonnades let you frame the city behind the pillars, with the Scott Monument, Arthur's Seat, or Edinburgh Castle all visible depending on your angle. Shoot from ground level looking up to emphasize the scale of the columns, or position yourself slightly to the side to capture the columns receding in perspective. A wide angle lens works well for environmental shots while a short telephoto helps compress the cityscape behind the columns. The warm glow at sunrise and golden hour sunset are both excellent, and overcast days give the pale stone a moody, timeless quality that suits the monument's character. The hill is free to access and a short walk from Princes Street. (Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom)
