Photography
Assynt and Coigach

Day 1 – Photographing Assynt

We meet at Inverness railway station at 8:30am and transfer north through spectacular Highland scenery. We will assess weather conditions, and if suitable, we will drive to Torridon to photograph Liathach from Loch Clair. From there we will head over to Loch Maree where Slioch rises from behind stands of Scots pine. Stopping in Poolewe and Laide, we will arrive at our accommodation in Ullapool at around 4:00pm where there will be time to settle in before dinner. (D)

Day 2 – Clachtoll and the Old Man of Stoer

Today we will drive north to Clachtoll where the combination of white sandy beaches and beautifully marked boulders of Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian Gneiss co-exist. These are the building blocks of the north-west Highlands. After lunch, we will head for the lighthouse at the Point of Stoer and will make a short moorland walk out to the Old Man of Stoer. On our return we will stop at a high-point which overlooks the mountains of Assynt and Coigach – Canisp, Suilven, Cul Mor, Cul Beag, Stac Pollaidh and Ben Mor Coigach can all be seen linearly on the horizon. (B, L, D)

Day 3 – Stac Pollaidh and the Assynt Wilderness

A pre-dawn departure to climb to the summit of Stac Pollaidh. The ascent up the excellent path takes approximately one hour and the views from the top over Loch Sionascaig to Suilven and Cul Mor are spectacular. With sunrise at around 7:30am, this is one of the best times of the year to shoot from the summit of Stac Pollaidh where the colours are often spectacular. We will return for breakfast at 10:30am and in the afternoon depart for a moorland walk to a secluded beach where a variety of photographic subjects can be found. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Achnhaird Bay and Achiltibuie

After breakfast, we depart for Achnahaird Bay where we will follow a path along the cliff-tops which overlooks Enard Bay. Here the views across the sea towards the mountains of Inverpolly create an unusual juxtaposition. After lunch, we will head to Achiltibuie where we can shoot the late evening sun over the Summer Isles before retiring to the Summer Isles Hotel for refreshments. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Corrieshalloch Gorge and depart

On our final morning, we will explore the area around Corrieshalloch Gorge where the river has carved a spectacular mile-long box canyon through hard metamorphic rock. It is an exhilarating experience looking down from the gently swaying suspension bridge to the torrent of water that plunges 46m (150ft) over the Falls of Measach. Continuing our journey south, we will work around the River Glascarnoch where the lichen covered boulders create great photographic opportunities. A 2:00pm departure will permit an arrival at Inverness Station around 3:30pm where the trip will conclude.

(B, L)