Is travel included in Edinburgh?

Yes, all professional photography services within a 50-mile radius of central Edinburgh include travel costs. This covers the Lothians, parts of the Borders, and Fife. You will not see a separate travel line on your invoice for locations such as Leith, Stockbridge, or South Queensferry. If your project is within this catchment, the price quoted for the photography is the final price you will pay.

What is the standard mileage rate for Scottish travel?

For any travel exceeding the initial 50-mile inclusive radius, a rate of 45p per mile is applied. This follows the standard HMRC guidelines for business travel. It is calculated based on the total return journey from my Edinburgh studio to your chosen location. This rate is transparent and is always agreed upon in writing before the contract is signed, ensuring no hidden extras appear on the final bill.

Do you charge for accommodation for North of Scotland shoots?

Accommodation is required if the shoot requires me to be on-site very early in the morning or late into the evening at a distance that makes same-day travel unsafe or impractical. Generally, this applies to locations more than two and a half hours from Edinburgh, such as Skye, Wester Ross, or the Far North. I book modest, local accommodation and the cost is simply passed on without a markup.

How are ferry and toll costs handled?

If your shoot is based on an island such as Mull, Islay, or Arran, the cost of the ferry crossing for a vehicle and driver is added to the quote. I manage the booking process to ensure I arrive on time. Any bridge tolls or specific congestion charges, though rare in Scotland, are also itemised. This ensures all logistical costs are covered so the focus remains on delivering high-quality editorial imagery.

Do photographers charge travel fees in Scotland?

Ross Nixon Photography typically charges travel fees for any project located more than 50 miles from Edinburgh. These costs cover fuel and time required to reach your location securely.

The short answer is yes, most professional photographers in Scotland charge for travel. At Ross Nixon Photography, travel is complimentary for all shoots within a 50-mile radius of Edinburgh. For locations further afield, such as the Highlands, Isle of Skye, or the Borders, a standard mileage rate of 45p per mile is applied. This fee covers fuel and the wear on equipment transport. For full-day bookings or multi-day projects requiring an overnight stay, reasonable accommodation costs are also included in the final quote. This approach provides transparency from the outset, ensuring there are no unexpected costs after the shoot is finished. Whether you are booking a wedding in Glencoe or a brand shoot in Aberdeen, travel expenses are clearly itemised.

Weddings from £1,950, brand from £950 half-day

What's included

When you receive a quote from Ross Nixon Photography, the travel fee is not just a surcharge for fuel. It represents the logistical management required to get professional equipment safely to your site. For assignments within Edinburgh and the Lothians, travel is inclusive. Beyond this 50-mile threshold, the mileage rate covers the cost of vehicle operation and the considerable time spent in transit. In Scotland, driving times can be unpredictable due to road conditions on routes like the A9 or A82. The fee ensures that the photographer arrives on-site early, with back-up gear prepared and ready to work. For remote locations, this fee might also include specific logistical requirements like ferry fares to the islands or parking charges in city centres like Glasgow or Aberdeen. If a shoot requires a start time before 8:00 AM at a location more than two hours from Edinburgh, a basic overnight accommodation fee is usually required to ensure punctuality and safety. Everything is billed at cost or based on HMRC standard mileage rates to keep pricing fair and professional.

How it works

The process is straightforward. During the initial consultation, you provide the exact location of the wedding venue, office, or production site. I calculate the distance from my Edinburgh base using the most direct driving route. If the location falls within the 50-mile radius, the travel fee is zero. If it exceeds this, the mileage is calculated for the return trip and added to your formal quote. For projects involving public transport or air travel, such as shoots in the Northern Isles, the actual cost of the tickets is billed back to the client. I handle all the booking and logistics myself, so you do not have to manage the photographer's itinerary. This clear structure prevents any billing disputes and allows us to focus entirely on the photography. For brand and food photography, where multiple sites might be involved in one day, a flat day rate for travel is often more efficient than per-mile billing.

Local detail

Scotland presents unique logistical challenges that influence travel pricing. Driving from Edinburgh to a wedding in the West Highlands or an event in Inverness involves significant time on single-carriageway roads. A shoot at Loch Coruisk on Skye, for example, requires not just a long drive but often a boat transfer or specific equipment packing for the terrain. I am familiar with the routes across the Cairngorms and the specific requirements of island travel via CalMac ferries. For city-based work in Glasgow, Southside, or the Merchant City, the fee often simply covers secure parking for a vehicle loaded with lighting rigs and grip gear. In the Borders, locations like Peebles or Melrose are often within the standard inclusive range, whereas a shoot at a distillery in Speyside or a brand session in St Andrews will incur a modest fee. Being based in Edinburgh allows for central access to most of the country, and I aim to keep these costs as low as possible by planning efficient routes and staying in modest, functional accommodation when away from home.

Questions people ask

Is travel included in Edinburgh?: Yes, all professional photography services within a 50-mile radius of central Edinburgh include travel costs. This covers the Lothians, parts of the Borders, and Fife. You will not see a separate travel line on your invoice for locations such as Leith, Stockbridge, or South Queensferry. If your project is within this catchment, the price quoted for the photography is the final price you will pay.
What is the standard mileage rate for Scottish travel?: For any travel exceeding the initial 50-mile inclusive radius, a rate of 45p per mile is applied. This follows the standard HMRC guidelines for business travel. It is calculated based on the total return journey from my Edinburgh studio to your chosen location. This rate is transparent and is always agreed upon in writing before the contract is signed, ensuring no hidden extras appear on the final bill.
Do you charge for accommodation for North of Scotland shoots?: Accommodation is required if the shoot requires me to be on-site very early in the morning or late into the evening at a distance that makes same-day travel unsafe or impractical. Generally, this applies to locations more than two and a half hours from Edinburgh, such as Skye, Wester Ross, or the Far North. I book modest, local accommodation and the cost is simply passed on without a markup.
How are ferry and toll costs handled?: If your shoot is based on an island such as Mull, Islay, or Arran, the cost of the ferry crossing for a vehicle and driver is added to the quote. I manage the booking process to ensure I arrive on time. Any bridge tolls or specific congestion charges, though rare in Scotland, are also itemised. This ensures all logistical costs are covered so the focus remains on delivering high-quality editorial imagery.

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