Photography Workshops and Tours in the Scottish Highlands

Locations – Inner and Outer Hebridean Islands of Skye, Lewis & Harris

This workshop focuses on two of Scotland’s most breathtakingly beautiful areas. The wild empty beaches, coastlines, seascapes and standing stones of the Outer Hebridean Islands of Harris and Lewis and the dramatic Trotternish landforms of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye. This is a workshop not to be missed.

Isle of Skye – 2 nights
One of Scotland’s most famous locations, Skye needs little introduction. We’ll mainly be focusing on the areas around Trotternish including Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and Duntulm. We’ll also visit and photograph the classic view from Elgol on the first evening.

Isles of Lewis and Harris – 3 nights
On Wednesday we’ll take the ferry (2hrs) from Uig to the Outer Hebridean Island of Harris where we will be based for 3 nights at the Harris Hotel.

From here we will explore and photograph some of the finest beaches and wide open spaces in the British Isles inlcuding Scarasta, Seilebost and Luskentyre. Other locations will include Great Bernera’s Bosta beach with it’s Iron age settlement and stunning views out to sea, the mountains of Harris and the Calanais standing stones (built around 3000 years BC) on the Isle of Lewis.

What’s Included

5 nights accommodation (single occupancy room) 2 Nights Ferry Inn, Uig and 3 nights Harris Hotel, Tarbert.

All ferry tickets,
packed lunch and refreshments,
expert individual photography tuition in the field.
Photoshop session, image critiques, field notes.

Suitable for – all skills levels. Fitness level – low to medium.

Workshop itinerary

This is flexible but here’s a general idea of what to expect during your workshop.

Monday 1pm – depart Inverness for Skye

Evening shoot – Elgol

Uig – Evening introduction and briefing by Glen.

Typical workshop day

Sunrise shoot followed by breakfast

Morning image review

Afternoon shoot on location until dusk

Dinner around 19:30 – Heb Hotel Bistro serving excellent meals featuring local ingredients at reasonable prices (not inluded)

Evening options: Image review / critique / photoshop editing / Raw workflow / relax in the bar.

Saturday

After an early breakfast we’ll head north, travelling up through Lewis with a couple of location stops enroute

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We’ll then catch the Stornoway to Ullapool ferry at 14:00 arriving at Ullapool at 17:15 where we well make our way back to Inverness for around 19:00.

Places are limited to 6 – book now (minimum number 2).

Location – Isles of Mull, Iona and Staffa

From our base on Mull we’ll spend our days exploring and photographing some of the Island’s 300 miles of dramatic and rugged coastline from the Rubha na Gall Lighthouse to the pink granite rocks on the Ross of Mull. Other locations will include Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, Iona’s 13 century abbey, the old retired fishing boats and derilict pier in Salen and the cascades by Loch na Keal.

The isle of Mull is wild, atmospheric and the light can be at times sublime. One of my most popular workshops, the Isles of Mull, Iona and Staffa all have their unique charm and character. From the wild landscapes and coastlines of Mull to the Isle of Iona and it’s medieval abbey – the birthplace of Scottish Christianity. A 45 minute journey onboard the MB Iolaire takes us to the Isle of Staffa and Fingals cave,a wondefully atmospheric location made famous by Felix Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture. The Atlantic Ocean surges in and out of the sea cave and we’ll venture inside to photograph this unique location.

“loved it all – dawn walk was a great start to the trip, and good choice of locations & variety of scenery throughout, boat trip to Staffa was agreat way to end the Odyssey” Jaqui – Inverness

What’s Included

4 nights accommodation at the western Isles Hotel Tobermory (single occupancy room)

Meals: 3 course dinner & breakfast

Transport to from locations (and venue if required)

Ferry tickets (if travelling with me).

Boat trip to Staffa

Expert, individual photography tuition.

Photoshop session with image critiques.

Field notes.

Partner package available.

Suitable for – all skills levels. Fitness level – low to medium.

Getting there: Pick up in Inverness and Fort William on Sunday 16th at 11:30pm /1:00pm catching the mid afternoon ferry to Mull from Lochaline, returning to mainland late afternoon Thursday. Flights to Inverness are available with Easyjet and Flybe from major UK airports as are tranis and buses.

Workshop content

Lightstalkers Scotland workshops guarantee to take your photography to another level. Improving your technical skills and basic composition is just the start, You’ll also learn to identify and capture good light and fine tune your eye into a good image. This workshop, will also feature an image critique and Photoshop RAW workflow. You’ll spend the first day on the north of the island around Calgary bay and the Rhuba nan ghall Lighthouse near Tobermory before going on to photograph The Ross of Mull, Iona and it’s Medieval Abbey, Fingals cave on Staffa and other dramatic features at this fantastic photographic location.

My passion for creating unique images from the Highland landscape is infectious and I’m always on hand to share my knowledge, Photoshop techniques and guidance.

Group size: maximum 6 – subject to 2 participant minimum ,

Where: Sandwood Bay with its famous sea stack (am Buachaille) is around 3 hours north west of Inverness and reputedly one of the most haunted places in Scotland and said to be the Uk’s most beautiful beach. Sandwood will provide the setting for an overnight wild camp under the stars photographing both sunset and sunrise within a 6 hour period during the summer solstice which will fall on June 20th in 2012.

The nights of the 18th and 19th will be spent in the comfortable Kinlochbervie Hotel before heading out to Sandwood Bay for a night under the stars. Oldshoremore bay and Balnakeil bay will provide a stunning location to test our camera skills and composition techniques amounst the rocks and dunes of these stunning beaches, Puffins are also expected at this time of year around Balankeil.

When:Depart Inverness around 15:30hrs on the Monday 18th June (depending on flight arrivals) returning to Inverness at 1700hrs on the Thursday 21st of June.
The longest day will be the 20th of June in 2012 when the suns sets at 22:32 and rises less than 6 hours later at 04:11 in the far North West Highlands.

Whats included

2 nights single occupancy accommodation at the Kinlochbervie hotel

2 course dinner, breakfast and packed lunch.

*1 nights overnight camp.

Lift to the venue if required.

Camping provisions, tuition, handouts.

Camping gear (bring your own lightweight sleeping bag if you prefer).

Group size – maximum 5 and subject to 2 participant minimum.

Fitness level

*Participants will be required to carry a pack with sleeping bag, roll mat, camera gear and some provisions for around a 2 hour walk (4 miles) over reasonably flat terrain to the beach where we will set up camp. A reasonable level of fitness is therefore required for this walk although no steep climbs are encountered. Contact me directly if you would like to discuss this in more detail.

Getting there

Inverness is serviced by Easyjet and Flybe and has an airport with connections from most main UK airports including London and Birmingham. Flight times are around 55 minutes. Inverness flights are available through Amsterdam Schipol and Aberdeen from Frankfurt. Any questions or you need help getting here, just get in touch. Overnight trains are available from London Euston as are buses.

Contact Glen for more info.

The Location: The Isle of Eigg, one of Scotland’s magical photographic locations. A landscape that photographers dream of photographing. Imagine a wide expansive beach littered with sculptured boulders, rock pools and ribbon patterns in the sand all taking centre stage while the dramatic outline of the Island of Rum with it’s twin peaks Askival and Ainshval provide the backdrop. A Great location to explore, photograph and experience.

Whats included

Accommodation

The Lageorna croft house (check it out – www.lageorna.com) sits above the Bay of Laig just a short walk from our main locations, the beaches, with magical views out to the Island of Rum. Recently converted this will be your base while we explore the island of Eigg. Included is a single occupancy room with breakfast, 2 course dinner and packed lunch, they also serve coffee, cakes and soup during the day. A partner package may also be available on request.

Return ferry tickets to Eigg from Mallaig

Tuition and handout field notes.

Guidance and expert photography tuition.

Local mini bus will get us where we need to be

The workshop

The Bay of Laig and Singing Sands will provide the main location with the Isle of Rum providing the backdrop. Walks on the southern side of the island with great views up to the Sgurr of Eigg will also feature. Sessions will include creative compositions, balancing exposure with ND filters, and sharing my digital darkroom techniques while refining our images with Adobe Photoshop back at the Croft. Image reviews and critiques will also play a part.

Photographing at sunrise and sunset or the magic hours will be our priority and there will be some time available to relax after breakfast prior to the afternoon and evening sessions.

Recommened equipment ; Neutral Density Gradiant filters, Neutral density 4 stop or 10 stop filters don’t worry if you don’t have them, although a Polarisor and Tripod will be required.

Fitness level

Moderate level of fitness, some coastal walking and occasional gradients.

Group size – maximum 5 and subject to 2 participant minimum.

IMPORTANT – When and where: What makes Eigg such an attractive place to visit is that it is not easy to get to, so it’s never too busy. No cars are allowed on the Island (other than residents) and ferries are sporadic but usually on time. It is important that you get to Mallaig in plenty time to get the ferry in the morning which leaves at 08:25. I will be driving down from Inverness on Thursday night at 7 – 8pm and can offer a lift if need be. On the Friday we’ll meet in Mallaig at 07:50 in the morning, I will have the tickets and we need to be on board at 08:00. I suggest you arrive in Mallaig the night before and have listed some accommodation options below.

Once aboard the early morning ferry from Mallaig we’ll head out over the Sound of Sleat to the small Isle of Muck before sailing onto our final destination Eigg, arriving at 10:55AM.

The Return Ferry from Eigg to Mallaig departs on the 23rd of April at 16:35 arriving in Mallaig at 17:50. I will be returning to Inverness via Fort William should you require a lift.

Meeting times: 07:50 in the morning at the Mallaig Calmac Ticket office by the harbour.

Some accommodation options in Mallaig: B&Bs, Backpackers and hotels.

http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/cameron.html
http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/western-isles.html
http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/morven.html
http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/moorings.html
http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/sheenasbackpackerslodge.html
http://www.westhighlandhotel.co.uk/