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Trip created by David Russell
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Region: Cairngorms and Central Highlands
Trip Type: Photography
Comfort: Classic
Difficulty:
All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.
Download ItineraryThe Highlands of Scotland are a photographer’s dream, offering mountain and forest landscapes with rich natural habitats to explore and shoot.
We will spend time in the Caledonian Forest, visiting some of the silvery lochs that dot the National Park, walking in the glens and perhaps hiking into the Cairngorms themselves to enjoy the mountain landscape.
The second half of our adventure is based in the coastal village of Shieldaig, with our accommodation overlooking the waters of the loch. We are ideally placed to enjoy vistas of the huge Torridon mountains. We will photograph Glen Torridon and it’s surrounding glens extensively, including the rare forests that still dot the area.
Whenever light conditions are encouraging we will be out early for dawn shoots before coming back in for a late breakfast. In the middle of each day, we will head out again and continue our photography. Depending on the time of year we will take dinner early so we can then catch the last light at sunset. Find out about our itinerary for this highland photography holiday:
On our first day, we will meet at the train station in Aviemore at 10.00am. This Highland village is ideally placed for us to head out and start exploring the nearby Caledonian Forest, enjoying the wild landscapes and magnificent pine woods. Afterwards, we transfer to our accommodation in the village of Newtonmore. (B, L, D)
Today we may choose to explore the upper reaches of Glen Feshie – often called the ‘jewel in the Cairngorm’s crown’. This beautiful glen offers wild landscapes featuring a winding river, views of the mountains and the splendid old pines of the Caledonian Forest. (B, L, D)
Today if conditions are suitable we may hike up to the northern flanks of Cairngorm. Options include a walk into one of the northern coires of the Cairngorms with their magnificent cliff faces, or a relatively easy summit overlooking the Lairig Ghru. Alternatively, if weather conditions suggest a low-level outing we can explore the forest of the Abernethy Natural Nature Reserve. (B, L, D)
We will set out from Newtonmore and head for the northwest Highlands. We do not aim straight for Torridon, but instead for the coastal village of Gairloch. Here we board a private RIB that will take us around the wild coast of Wester Ross (weather permitting), allowing for a totally different perspective and the chance to spot marine wildlife. The boat drops us off less than 100 yards from our accommodation, where your guide will meet you again with the van. (B, L, D)
Today we will head into Glen Torridon to enjoy the views of the imposing mountains that tower over the glen. There are also many beautiful details to capture such as tumbling white streams and glacial erratics that punctuate the dramatic landscape. (B, L, D)
A second full day to explore Torridon, today we may focus on the coastline around Loch Torridon which offers beautiful juxtapositions of the rocky shore and mountains. We may also have a chance to spot some wildlife such as otters and seals if we keep our eyes open. (B, L, D)
On our final day, we will head back up Glen Torridon and can enjoy a lovely hike around two lochs that provide great reflections of the mountains. Afterwards, we travel back to Inverness where we will finish the trip for 4pm at the train station. (B, L)
To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:
We spend our nights in welcoming and friendly country house hotels: three nights in Newtonmore then three nights in Shieldaig. Accommodation is in twin or double rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities. A warm welcome and good night’s rest await you.Food is of paramount importance and our meals are prepared from the best local produce. We’ll enjoy wonderful home-cooked meals each evening, with good, healthy portions. Naturally, vegetarians and other dietary requirements are willingly catered for – simply let us know at the time of booking.On this trip we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations.
Accommodation is based on sharing a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. A limited number of rooms for single occupancy are available on a first come first served basis, subject to a single supplement of £265. If you wish to have a private room please request this at the time of booking and we will check availability.
This tour is all-inclusive.
Food is of paramount importance and our meals are prepared from the best local produce. We’ll enjoy wonderful home-cooked meals each evening, with good, healthy portions. Naturally, vegetarians and other dietary requirements are willingly catered for – simply let us know at the time of booking.
On this trip, we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at Inverness Railway Station at 10.00am on Day 1 of your trip. You will be returned to Inverness station for 4.00pm on the last day.
David loves the lure of wild places. He’s regularly seen heading off with his canoe, camera and tent for a night under the stars. David spent 5 years as an outdoor guide and instructor with qualifications from the Mountain Training Association and British Canoe Association. He has a passion for photography and has been commended for his stunning photos of Scotland’s wild places.
- David Russell
Ask David a QuestionGreen Graded Photography Holidays 1-3
Our Green graded photography trips are suitable for people who enjoy outdoor photography and easy hiking, and have a reasonable level of fitness. We will be accessing wild locations to photograph so you should be comfortable hiking for up to 3 hours at a time. Our Knoydart trip utilises a private launch and dinghy to access some remote locations so for this trip you must be also be comfortable getting in and out of the dinghy.
The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. The days are fairly leisurely and we spend about 6-8 hours outdoors. Out timetable will be flexible however, so we may head out early for a few hours before taking a break and going out again in the evening to take advantage of the best light.
Our photography trips are not graded by your degree of photography skill – a small group size means you will have lots of time for one-to-one tuition regardless of your starting level.
Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 1 review(s) of Photography – Highland Landscapes Tour
Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.
That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.
Jill Sneidman
Reviewed on 13/05/2019
Age: 70 - 80
Country: United States
Trip Date: 04/05/2019
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
My overall experience is that it was one of the best trips I have ever taken. I think I have a good amount of beautiful photographs that I will be putting on my website in the very near future and some wonderful memories of my time in Scotland.
