Highlands of Scotland Grand Photo Tour August 2022

Description

NEW  Highlands of Scotland Grand Photo Tour 15th – 20th August 2022 6 days – £1795.00 (deposit £200.00) 5 places available – 2 places left Book now

Tour Summary

This Scottish Highlands Grand Photo Tour focuses on  four very distinctive, less visited, but no less dramatic parts of the Highlands.

All the locations are hand picked by Glen, starting in the Cairngorm National Park, down to the seascapes and villages of the magnificent Moray Coast, through to the ruggedly beautiful North West Highlands and Scotland’s most beautiful Glen, Glen Affric.

Theres also a little history in the mix with a visit to Culloden Battlefield and its excellent visit centre experience and an evening exploring the shores of Loch Ness.

The combination of quieter locations will provide you, the Highland guest with a much more rewarding experience while photographing some of the beautiful locations that majority of visitors miss or don’t even know exist.

Location Highlights 

The Cairngorm National Park

The Cairngorm National Park is the UK’s largest and sits to the east of the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands, south of Inverness.

You’ll explore and photograph  several aspects close to its western boundary including the  mountain plateau from Loch Morlich, which dominates the area.

Walking to several vantage points you’ll capture its  deep glacier carved glens and high summits. Most of the UK’s highest mountains are in the national park which is dotted with  both pine and deciduous woodland where some of the well known but shy wildlife such as pine martin and mountain hare call home. The Heather clad hills will also be in full bloom at this time of year which adds to the spectacle.

The Moray Coast

A total contrast to the Cairngorm mountains lies a short drive north over the remote heather clad Dava Moor. The Moray coastline was recently listed by National Geographic as “one of the worlds top coastlines”. This is where where the famous River Spey empties into the Moray Firth.

Along this stretch of coast you’ll  focus your attention on the villages and seascapes of Cullen, Portsoy, Crovie and Pennan,  the latter famous for its role in the 1980’s movie Local Hero.

Some of the main features include a dramatic sea stack, the Bow Fiddle Rock and hidden beaches and colourful stony bays dotted along the coast.

You’ll spend the day exploring these seascapes and maybe  sample a local favourite that’s popular all over Scotland, Cullen Skink a smoking, creamy fished based soup and a Speyside whiskey or two.

Cawder Castle, Culloden and Loch Ness

A little bit of culture is in the mix as we head back towards Inverness. We’ll take an hour or two to visit the village of  Cawder and the grounds of Cawder Castle before experiencing Culloden visitor centre and the famous Battlefield.

The visitor centre tells the story of how the last battle came to be and its consequences for the Highland clans. It was the last battle to be fought on British soil in 1746 between the Bonnie Prince Charlie Jacobites and Britsh Government forces.

Finally we’ll decend from the moor to the Great Glen and Loch Ness to capture the loch from  the shoreline.

Torridon North West Highlands

Torridon, one of the big hitters among landscape photographers in the UK. The Torridon mountains sit to the north west of Inverness and pack a real punch. Quintessentially Highland, the lochs, rivers, mountains and glens that hold pockets of old Scots pine  all combine to present both a romantic  and wild narrative to the photographer’s “Highland” portfolio.

Most visitors drive on through without taking a moments pause, but we’ll take our time with a full day and evening session, soaking up the atmosphere.  The peaks of Ben Eighe, Liathach, Slioch and Ben Alligin all rise high above the tumbling rivers and glittering lochs below and will offer a classic backdrop to your photographs.

Glen Affric

Our final day back in Beauly and we’ll take a drive up through nearby Glen Affric which many say is Scotland’s most beautiful Glen. The dark lochs, Scots Pine and a truly stunning vista all compete for our attention. From here we return to Inverness where you’ll be dropped of at your chosen point at around 4pm

Your Guide

Based in and from Scotland, I’ve been guiding workshops and photo tours in the Scottish Highlands for over 11 years.

In that time I’ve guided  hundreds of satisfied clients from around the world. In the few days they’ve been with me they have improved their photography, mastered the basics and created some stunning images.   You can read testimonials from previous Lightstalker clients here

This Scotland Grand Tour starts at 10:30am on the 15th August in Inverness, Scotland. You’ll be picked up  at your chosen Hotel or the Railway station – drop off in Inverness on the 20th August around 4pm.

If your visiting Scotland for longer I’d be more than happy to provide you with a complimentry onward itinerary and suggestions for other great locations in the Highlands and Islands. GC 

Scotland Photo tour – Whats included

5 nights single occupancy accommodation with ensuite and full Scottish Breakfast.

Full 6 day guided photography itinerary with refreshments on location

Pick up and drop off in Inverness / Aviemore and transport to all locations in a comfortable 9 seater van ( max 5 participants )

Limted edition Lightstalker’s Beanie

Your Accommodation

Single occupancy rooms with ensuite and full Scottish breakfast.

15th – 16th The Park Guest House Aviemore – comfortable guest house in the town centre 1 night

16th – 18th  Cullen Bay Hotel on the Moray Coast – 2 nights

18th – 20th The Lovat Arms Hotel Beauly – A  family owned hotel in an historical Highland village with ancient priory – 2 nights

Not included

Flights, Inverness accommodation prior to or after the tour, lunches or evening meals,  these will be at nearby pubs and restaurants close to our final dusk locations.

Starts Inverness

Pick up at 10:30am on the 15th August at your chosen Hotel or the Railway station – drop off in Inverness on the 20th early evening around 6pm.

What to expect

This Scotland Grand Tour includes an initial practical tutorial on basic shooting skills, use of camera gear and equipment on location on the first day (if you need it or are a little rusty).  This includes camera workflow, shooting in manual mode and reading histograms.

Your sessions will start mid morning and continue until dusk which can be late into the evening at this time of year in the Highlands.

This allows us to pack as much into the day as possible, visiting and photographing a range of locations. Plus we’ll have plenty of time at each location to make sure we do them justice.

There will be time for breaks for lunch on location, and dinner in local pub or restaurant featuring local produce each evening prior to our final dusk session.

All of this will be managed by your guide Glen with help and suggestions available at any time.

A photo adventure’s  main objective is guiding you to the best locations at the right time with suggestions on types of shot, general settings and composition advice. Participants should ideally be familiar in the use of their cameras to get the best out of the locations, however help is always on hand  and advice freely given.

Participants will be invited to share 6 of their  final images with Glen and fellow participants for comment after the trip via a secure online link.

Suitable for

Photography  beginners, intermediate and advanced participants. You can check out some client testimonials and comments here

Fitness level

In order to get the best out of each location, some walking will be involved. Walks on gradients and uneven terrain will be encountered so a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required.

The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, although August can be one of the better months with settled conditions and Highland Heather in full bloom. All locations and sessions are subject to the conditions being favourable. Once booked, you will be contacted prior to the workshop and briefed on what you need to bring.

All ages above 18 years are welcome but a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required, regardless of age in order to fully participate and appreciate a Lightstalker’s photo adventure or workshop. If you have any doubts of your suitability for a specific trip please contact Glen directly. Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance.