Highlands & ISLANDS 2024
Scottish Magic in Skye & Glencoe
Highlands and Islands: Glencoe and Isle of Skye
Wednesday 24th – Sunday 28th January 2024
5 days (4 nights) Early Bird Offer: €1600/£1350
Landscape and seascape photographic tuition in the most iconic locations on Skye and Glencoe, renowned for mist and mood. Departing from Glasgow International Airport, we will also have opportunities to photograph locations en-route in the Loch Lomond area and at Eilean Donan Castle.
With its epic scenery, dramatic weather and magical light, the Isle of Skye has become the latest playground de jour for social media users and a firm favourite for landscape photography.
It’s not hard to see why. Desolate, wind-blasted moors of heather dotted with sheep sweep down to moody silver lochs. Gnarled peninsulas with fearsome basalt sea cliffs defiantly jut out into the restless Atlantic Ocean, and great saw-toothed mountains, geological lairds of the island, lift their sublime craggy heads to greet oft cloudy skies.
The volcanically derived landscape feels as vast and barren as Iceland’s, and its terrain is blanketed in a verdure reminiscent of the Faroe Islands. It gets very similar weather too, sitting in the firing line of the low pressure systems sweeping across the north Atlantic. Indeed, local people call their island Eilean a’Cheo, ‘Isle of Mist’, and the Vikings named it Sky-a ‘cloud island’.
The Isle of Skye’s most dramatic geological feature is undoubtedly the Trotternish Ridge escarpment, formed during a series of landslips, which runs for almost the full length of the 30 km Trotternish peninsula. It contains the Isle of Skye’s most famous landmark – the Old Man of Storr – an isolated gnarly basalt pinnacle which featured in the opening scenes of Ridley Scott’s blockbuster movie, Prometheus, and the Quiraing, an equally stunning group of rocky pinnacles. Places such as the Fairy Pools, a series of turquoise pools and silver waterfalls, seem to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fantasy book.
En route to Skye, we will have chance to photograph some iconic locations, such as Loch Lomond and Eilean Donan Castle.
Glencoe, the heart of the Scottish Highlands and the site of an infamous massacre of 1692, means the place literally exudes history. Its haunting beauty makes it a magnet for photographers seeking to capture its wild, sweeping moors, rugged mountain scenery, vernacular cottages and numerous waterfalls. We will spend our final day capturing images in some of the finest locations the glen has to offer. Read our blog Highlands and Islands: A Scottish Photographic Odyssey to see how truly magnificent Scotland is!
Price Exertion Level Participants Location Accommodation We have timed our visit to coincide with a full moon which will give a super high tide at sunrise/sunset . Our precise itinerary will be fluid and based on prevailing weather conditions and accessibility. All levels of photography are catered for, from beginners looking for photography tuition, to advanced photographers wanting to be guided to the best locations. Our base on Skye will be the town of Portree where we will be staying in a self catering house, and in Glencoe, a top-class hostel at near by Corran. Single room occupancy is guaranteed. • Accommodation; self catering (meals not included) • Full professional photographic tuition throughout the course • Airport/Hotel pick up/drop off as specified • Transport during the workshop • Landscape and Nightscape photography field work tuition tailored to participants' skill level • If schedule permits tuition in Lightroom and Photoshop, according to client's experience • Flights • All meals, snacks and drinks • Travel and camera equipment insurance The trip commences and ends at Glasgow International Airport. Please arrange to arrive between 10:00 to 12:00 on 24th January. We will return to Glasgow by 20:00 (8:00 PM) on 28th January. Participants from Scotland, other parts of Britain, and further afield, can rendezvous at Glasgow International Airport or at our accommodation in Portree Our base will be Portree, the main town on Skye, which has a range of eateries, bars and shops. We will be staying in a contemporary style self catering accommodation. Single room occupancy is guaranteed. The final night will be close to Glencoe. The photo tour is limited to only three participants to allow for one-on-one tuition, freedom of movement and sufficient space per person at each location. We have timed our visit to coincide with a new moon which will give higher tides at sunrise/sunset and also the opportunity to practice some astrophotography, weather permitting. Our precise itinerary will be fluid and based on prevailing weather conditions, but we will take in prime locations including: • Loch Lomond • Eilean Donan Castle • The Old Man of Storr • The Quiraing • Talisker Beach • Cuillin Mountains and Elgol Beach • The Fairy Pools • Neist Point Lighthouse • Sligachan Bridge and River • Blackrock Cottage • Buachaille Etive Mòr Whether you are a beginner looking to improve your photography skills, or an advanced photographer wanting to be taken to prime locations, our photo tour is open to all. Our only criteria is that you have a great passion for landscape photography, don't mind braving the elements, and have the energy and motivation to be constantly ‘on the go'! • DSLR camera with full manual mode • Sturdy tripod • A wide angle lens • A neutral density filter (optional) • A polarising filter (optional) • Hard and soft graduated filters (optional) • Laptop with Lightroom and Photoshop installed (optional but recommended) • Shower cap or suitable covering to keep your camera dry The influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream give Scotland a mild oceanic climate. Temperatures are generally cool in January, with an average range of 2-6C, but westerly weather fronts can sweep in off the Atlantic bringing stormy, unsettled weather, and our previous visits have even coincided with snow. You must be well-equipped for various weather conditions, including mist and rain, so we recommend you bring the following: • Sturdy, warm boots • Wellies or waders for beach photography • Waterproof jacket and trousers • Down jacket or similar • Warm hat and gloves • Ice grips (for hiking on high ground if conditions are freezing) • Head torch (with red light setting) for night photography Price Book now to avail of our Early Bird offer! Early bird offer is available until end September 2023. To get this offer pay your deposit now and your balance by the end of September 2023 A deposit of £200 (€250) is required to secure your place. Stage payments of balance by arrangement. Terms and conditions apply, read here Pay deposit €250/£200 Isle of Skye and Glencoe
Early Bird Price €1600/£1350 Deposit €250/£200
This tour involves some uphill hiking, so a moderate level of fitness is advised. The climb to the Old Man of Storr is steep and takes around 45 minutes (you may choose to opt out of this); the uphill trail following the River Brittle to visit 'the Fairy Pools' takes around 35 minutes.
3 Photographers Maximum. Beginners welcome.
Skye & Glencoe, Dates 24th – 28th January 2024 Duration – 4 Nights
Single occupancy rooms guaranteed
The photo tour is limited to only three participants to allow for freedom of movement and sufficient space per person at each location, and quality one-on-one time with the photography tutor. Workshop Includes
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€1750/£1600 Early bird price €1600/£1350Reserve your tour now using PayPal