The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Tattoo Artists in Edinburgh for Amazing Ink
Edinburgh’s historic streets are filled with inspiration, making it a brilliant place to collect new body art. Whether you’re a nervous first-timer seeking a welcoming studio or a luxury collector hunting for avant-garde designs, the city has a vibrant ink scene.
To help you narrow down your choices, I have tracked down the best tattoo artists in Edinburgh for every style and budget. Let’s dive into the local studios that truly stand out when it comes to strict hygiene standards and top-tier artistic talent.
How much does a tattoo cost in Edinburgh?
Tattoo pricing generally starts at a £70 to £80 shop minimum, with hourly rates spanning £80 to £150 and extensive full-day sessions scaling much higher depending on the detail.
| Tattoo Size and Type | Estimated Cost |
| Tiny and Small (Under 3 inches) | £60 – £150 |
| Medium (Palm-sized or highly detailed) | £150 – £300 |
| Large Pieces and Sleeves (Per session) | £500 – £600+ |
1. Geezy Tattoos
Website: gzyexsilesia.com
Address: 23a Blair Street
Contact: [email protected]
Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday 10:30AM–5:00PM
If you want something incredibly unique, you need an artist whose background goes beyond the standard needle and ink.
Geezy weaves his deep knowledge of printmaking and graphic design into stunning avant-garde pieces, blending dark surrealism with highly technical abstractions.
His bespoke custom process means every single client receives a distinct, one-off design meticulously tailored to their specific anatomy.
The sheer technical brilliance of his work ensures that each piece flows flawlessly with the natural lines of the body.
Whether you want to honor a live music memory or seek authentic Scottish heritage motifs, I love that he approaches each project with deep cultural respect.
The only real downside is trying to catch him while he’s in town. He frequently travels across the UK and Europe for guest spots, which can occasionally delay your session.
Incredible Artist for Custom Tattoo Designs
Sick artist, Geezy was perfect for my design, really knows his stuff and was great before hand too, discussing the process and design or ideas we could do and printed them off and was great during the tattoo aswell, talking me through how it works, really enjoyed the process. Also great aftercare tips.
Highly reccomend!
- edan fraser | Google Reviews
Collaborative and Highly Recommended Tattoo Artist
Geezy is an incredible artist. I approached him with a concept, which he had already drawn up. Felt excited to go with his piece as it was mind blowing.Geezy was enthusiastic, great at collaborating, super professional and felt at ease for my first tattoo.Would highly recommend him.
- Clara Forest Hayes | 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
Sanatorium Tattoo Studio houses a diverse team ready to handle a broad spectrum of aesthetics. They even have a fun collection of ready-to-go flash options.
During a recent visit to sit with a buddy getting tattooed, I was struck by how genuinely supportive and relaxed the entire environment felt.
They offer complimentary design consultations to ensure you feel completely at ease, and you’re more than welcome to bring a friend for moral support.
They also provide advanced laser removal services on-site, making them an incredible resource for safely lightening older pieces before starting a major cover-up project.
Just be extremely mindful of your travel time before heading over. They enforce a strict 15-minute late policy that could cost you your appointment and your deposit.
Hygiene Focused Artist with Expert Advice
Great tattoo studio. Delighted with my first tattoo, by Victor. so careful about hygiene he was twice as careful as an operating theatre! Brilliant artist. Listened to me and gave good experienced advice. Will be back. Can’t recommend them enough.
- Jill Lamond | Google Reviews
Talented Artist for Stunning Samurai Cover-up
I got a cover-up tattoo done at Sanatorium Tattoo by Kris, and the whole experience was incredible. The shop has a very chill, friendly vibe that puts you at ease as soon as you walk in.
Kris is an amazing artist — professional, patient, and seriously talented. He transformed an old tattoo which was truly awful into a stunning samurai piece that looks better than I ever imagined.
- Richard Donald | 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
If you have an old piece that you’re no longer thrilled with, finding a specialist to transform it is an absolute must.
The artists at Studio XIII Gallery excel at extensive cover-up and rework services, handling everything from fine black linework to vibrant watercolor styles.
On top of their custom body art, the gallery also functions as a full-service piercing studio, making it a brilliant spot to upgrade your ear curation.
They even explicitly offer group booking availability, which is perfect if you and your friends want to get matching souvenirs together. I also think that parents will appreciate being allowed to sit in the room while their teenager gets a piercing.
Keep in mind, however, that the reverse is not true for your own ink sessions. You absolutely can’t bring young kids to wait unattended in the reception area while you get tattooed.
Lovely Artist in Spectacular Shop Layout
My friend spoke highly of this place so I thought I’d give it a bash. So me and friend decided to get matching tattoos and our Tattoo Artist, Carni was an absolute pleasure to be with. He was just all around a lovely guy, he spoke to us both and best of all, he knew what the tattoo represented (being a Ghost fan and all). The receptionist was lovely and understanding. The layout of the shop is spectacular. I will 100% be back!
- David Bobby | Google Reviews
Talented Artists and Friendly Welcoming Vibe
I had a tattoo with guest artist Thaìs who was visiting from Brazil and was made to feel super welcome from the moment I arrived. All the staff (the piercer in particular) were friendly and chatty and looked after me so well when I felt faint a couple of times, something that hasn’t happened to me before! My tattoo is beautiful and I’d highly recommend this place for its welcoming vibe, friendly staff and talented artists. I’ll be back!
- Paula B | 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
If you’re looking for something to do in Edinburgh, visiting this studio is a must. Tribal Body Art specializes in authentic Scottish heritage ink, utilizing beautiful Celtic knots to celebrate the local culture.
They’re amazing at covering up scars and unwanted skin features. In fact, I recently spoke with a collector who had a surgical mark beautifully concealed here, proving their immense talent as scar transformation specialists.
Beyond fresh designs, they also offer expert faded tattoo restoration services to bring your original colors right back to life. Pair that with piercing services, and you’ve got yourself a one-stop shop.
Speaking of, I find it incredibly convenient that their starting jewelry is built directly into the base cost of any new piercing.
Unfortunately, their strict cover-up rules can be slightly limiting for some creative visions. If you’re trying to blast over an old, dark design, they restrict you to using exclusively black ink.
First Tattoo: Celtic Triquetra and Warrior Font
I just got a beautiful Celtic Triquetra by tattoo artist Ian Campbell last Monday, which I absolutely love! The warrior font for my ongoing cancer battle is absolutely it’s total perfection too! I came all the way from the states to have this done in Scotland which I highly recommend. This was also my first tattoo which was a piece of cake! I highly recommend Tribal Body Art! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
- Barb Massabrook | Google Reviews
Spontaneous Appointment with Precise, Recommended Artist
During my stay, I spontaneously decided to get tattoos with two friends. We contacted the tattoo studio on Sunday and immediately got an appointment for Wednesday.
The designs were really beautiful, our tattoo artist (Fae) was very precise, and the tattoos were done very well.
Tribal Body Art is definitely recommended!
- Ann-Kathrin | Google Reviews (Translated from German)
5. Okey Dokey Tattoo
Website: tattooedinburgh.com
Address: 19 Bread St
Contact: 0131 228 2368 | [email protected]
Schedule: Daily 10:00AM–6:00PM
Finding a flexible professional willing to work with your spur-of-the-moment creative ideas can be surprisingly difficult in a busy city. Luckily, there’s Okey Dokey Tattoo.
To ensure your piece is absolutely perfect, some artists here will actually wait to sketch your custom design on the exact day of your appointment.
They feature a diverse roster well-versed in handling a massive variety of aesthetics, ranging from intricate realism to classic traditional styles.
And I love how the atmosphere remains highly collaborative, as they openly invite clients to drop by for a casual chat or spontaneous walk-in session.
Just be aware that you’ll have to brave the needle completely by yourself. They maintain a firm no-guest policy, meaning friends can’t accompany you into the workspace for moral support.
Amazing Artist for Beautiful, High-Quality Work
I absolutely love my tattoo! Diana Pikus is an amazing artist. Her attention to detail is incredible. The experience at Okey Dokey Tattoo Studio was great from start to finish. Highly recommend her if you’re looking for beautiful, high-quality work!
- Ana Almeida | Google Reviews
Perfect Memorial Tattoo for Beloved Dog Ari
Having searched a while looking for a tattoo artist to capture the memory of my dog, Ari, who sadly passed away, I found Diana Pikus at Okey Dokey tattoo.
Diana’s work and attention to detail is simply unreal. The ultimate professional and a very lovely person. I’m absolutely thrilled with the finished piece and cannot wait to put my trust in her once again.
Thank you Diana.
- Thomas Gilmour | Google Reviews