The Best Tattoo Artists in Edinburgh for Your Fresh New Ink
Finding the best tattoo artist in Edinburgh requires looking past the buzzing machines and stencil flash sheets to find someone who truly gets your personal vision.
Luckily, the local ink scene is packed with incredible talent, catering to nervous beginners and seasoned collectors seeking custom pieces.
Whether you want a tiny botanical fine-line design or a massive traditional back piece, this historic city holds a studio perfectly suited for your upcoming appointment.
I dug through the portfolios and studio policies to highlight the standout spots for your next permanent souvenir. Let’s look at the top contenders.
How much does a tattoo cost in Edinburgh?
Tattoo prices in Edinburgh typically start at a £70 to £80 shop minimum, with hourly rates ranging from £80 to £150 and full-day sessions costing up to £600.
| Tattoo Size/Type | Average Cost |
| Tiny/Small (Under 3 inches) | £60 – £150 |
| Medium (Palm-sized or detailed) | £150 – £300 |
| Large Pieces & Sleeves (6-8 hours) | £500 – £600+ per session |
1. Geezy Tattoos
Website: gzyexsilesia.com
Address: 23a Blair Street
Contact: [email protected]
Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday 10:30AM–5:00PM
Geezy Tattoos offers a private studio setting that strips away the chaos of a traditional shop. They uniquely focus heavily on custom designs rooted in graphic design and printmaking.
The multi-disciplinary approach results in striking avant-garde pieces that blend dark surrealism with technical graphic abstractions. They understand anatomical flow just as well as ink application, helping you secure a truly bespoke piece of body art.
I actually tagged along with a friend who got a custom botanical sleeve here, and the way the design complemented her natural body lines was incredibly impressive.
For visitors wanting a permanent reminder of their trip, the artist weaves classic Celtic motifs into commemorative local designs that honor authentic Scottish heritage.
Music fans will also appreciate his knack for translating live concert memories into permanent ink, having previously handled pieces for major reunions.
The only real downside is trying to lock down an appointment, as frequent travel for European guest spots can occasionally limit local availability.
Exceptional Artist and Professional Tattoo Experience
Geezy is a consummate professional and was happy to work to further develop the design he had created to best fit the place I was having tattooed. He was very conscientious of the fact that sometime tattooing can be painful (duh!) and was always checking in with me to make sure I was doing okay even though I already have a lot of tattoos I really appreciated it. He’s also just a lovely guy and super professional. If you are looking for a great tattoo experience with an amazing artist Geezy is your man 👍
- Michael Easson | Google Reviews
Knowledgeable Artist for First Tattoo Experience
I contacted Geezy about my own simple tattoo design because I liked his work. He was receptive to my idea and helped me tweak it to work better as a tattoo in the long term.
Very professional, knowledgeable and friendly guy who made my first tattoo experience straightforward and comfortable. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an artist they can trust.
- Kyle M | Google Reviews
2. Sanatorium Tattoo Studio
Website: sanatorium.tattoo
Address: 8 Drummond St
Contact: +44 7765 899429 | [email protected]
Schedule: Daily 10:00AM–9:00PM
Stepping into a new shop for the first time can feel intimidating, but finding a space that actively encourages open communication changes the whole dynamic.
The team at Sanatorium Tattoo Studio offers complimentary design consultations before any needles come out, ensuring clients are fully aligned on placement and aesthetics.
Their versatile artists handle a massive spectrum of styles and even maintain a vast collection of ready-to-go flash for spontaneous sessions.
Interestingly, they also provide advanced laser removal services on-site for those needing to lighten old ink before a cover-up project.
While some local aesthetic clinics might offer similar fading treatments, having it done directly by the artist planning your cover-up streamlines the entire process.
Clients do need to manage their time carefully, though. Showing up more than 15 minutes late triggers a strict policy that forfeits your deposit and appointment slot entirely.
Patient Artist and Reasonable Studio Pricing
I had my first and second tattoo drawn in Edinburgh here and Viqtor was the nicest tattoo artist I have ever met. Man was patient with me during both sessions. The prices were reasonable as well.
- Gift Udoh | Google Reviews
Excellent Touch-up and Great Tattoo Service
I am now very happy with my arm tattoo!!
Marcin touched up my tattoo that was done by a previous tattoo artist from years ago and I am delighted with the results! Great service. Would recommend and I will be back!
Thank you 😃
- Heather Aird | Google Reviews
3. Studio XIII Gallery
Website: studioxiii.tattoo
Address: Jeffrey St
Contact: 0131 558 2974
Schedule: Monday to Saturday 10:00AM–6:00PM | Sunday 12:00PM–6:00PM
Coordinating a group outing for matching ink usually turns into an administrative headache, yet Studio XIII Gallery explicitly accommodates coordinated bookings with ease.
The artists here tackle everything from delicate black linework to saturated watercolor pieces, making it simple for everyone in a group to find their preferred aesthetic.
Beyond applying fresh designs, the team specializes in complete cover-ups and reworking faded tattoos so they look brand new.
I love that the location also functions as a full-service body piercing studio, allowing clients to upgrade their ear curation and get tattooed in the exact same afternoon.
I booked a short session here last year to rework an old ankle piece, and the transparent tiered deposit system made budgeting incredibly straightforward.
Just keep in mind that parents can’t bring unattended young children to wait in the reception area while getting their own procedures done.
Comfortable and Custom First Tattoo Experience
It was my first tattoo, and I was really excited but also anxious. Petra was my artist, and I wanted some customization. She did a great job modifying the design and made me feel very comfortable and less anxious. I’m really happy with the result and I’m hoping to get more in the future dont know when, but I definitely will!
- Fathima | Google Reviews
Fantastic Job by Friendly Tattoo Artist
Just got my first tattoo done today and honestly I couldn’t be happier, the artist Carni did a fantastic job and he was so nice and understanding about the fact that it was my first tattoo, highly recommended.
The studio itself was chill and the reception staff were great, really attentive. Overall will definitely be coming back here whenever I get my next one done, and I’d recommend it to anyone in Edinburgh looking to get some tattoo work done.
- Lewis Hennessy | Google Reviews
4. Tribal Body Art
Website: tribalbodyart.co.uk
Address: 248 Canongate
Contact: 0131 558 9019 | [email protected]
Schedule: Monday to Saturday 10:00AM–6:00PM | Sunday 12:00PM–6:00PM
Transforming a painful memory into a beautiful piece of art requires an immense amount of skill and sensitivity.
The dedicated team at Tribal Body Art focuses heavily on scar transformations, working closely with individuals to safely cover surgical marks or injuries with custom designs.
For those looking to spruce up existing body art, the artists execute expert touch-ups that sharpen blown-out lines and restore original colors. And tourists visiting the historic downtown area often stop by here for authentic Scottish heritage ink.
However, clients hoping to completely cover a dark, solid black piece with vibrant colors will need to adjust their expectations. The studio enforces a strict restriction that limits black-ink cover-ups to black ink only to ensure a successful heal.
Excellent Heritage Tattoos with Gentle Touch
While vacationing in Edinburgh from the US, my husband,step son, and I all decided to each get a thistle tattoo to celebrate our Scottish heritage. Everyone at the shop was friendly and patient as we each made our tattoos personal and decided on individual placement. Our artist was a beautiful young lady who did the most excellent work on all 3. Her touch was as light and sweet as she was. We were amazed they were almost pain free and still look great a year later.
- Carrie Bragg | Google Reviews
Professional Walk-in Experience and Clean Studio
Have been in Edinburgh for a few days and decided I’d like to get a thistle tattoo as an early birthday present. Happened to walk into this tattoo studio at the right time as they had a walk-in spot available. The woman at the front was friendly and professional and helped me find the design I wanted. Ian was the artist who did the tattoo and he did a lovely job. Everything was clean and overall it was a good experience! Thanks for making my trip to Edinburgh more memorable!
- Charlotte Laws | Google Reviews
5. Bizarre Ink Tattoos Edinburgh
Website: bizarreink.com
Address: 36 West Port
Contact: 0131 221 0677 | [email protected]
Schedule: Daily 10:00AM–6:00PM
Navigating the local body modification scene is much easier when you rely on a shop that has been a staple in the community since 1995. Bizarre Ink Tattoos is a deeply established collective that consistently delivers award-winning work.
The main draw here is how they adhere to a strict cruelty-free standard by exclusively using vegan inks.
I also love how you can often skip the long waitlists entirely, as the artists frequently manage to design and execute pieces on the exact same day if their schedule allows.
Checking out at the front desk is also totally seamless due to their extensive payment options, which cover major cards and digital wallets.
While the accessible starting rates make simple designs highly appealing, you must be entirely certain about your concept before locking in a date.
The studio enforces a non-refundable deposit policy, meaning any money put down to secure a slot won’t be returned if you change your mind.
Attentive Service in Safe Tattoo Environment
I had a fantastic experience with Spacey!! He was the best tattoo artist Ive ever had the pleasure of receiving work from! Spacey was so attentive and communicative– he has a lot of passion for what he does and even gently advised me in placement and design of the tattoo piece I chose from their design book. If youre in town, this tattoo shop produces quality work and a clean safe environment, and (the cherry on top!) fantastic customer service! I felt that I was not just a customer, but an old friend 🙂 Check them out!
- jas peguero | Google Reviews
Professional Artist for Quality Matching Tattoos
My bestie and I wanted a matching tattoo while we were in Edinburgh. I already have quite a collection of ink on me. We met John who was excellent in making sure we got just what we wanted. He was professional and quite knowledgeable. We are very happy with the tattoos John did. I would recommend for any piece you are looking for. His is quite an artist!
- Kim Seer | Google Reviews