- Improve your photography skills in the company of Colin Prior – one of the UK’s leading landscape photographers
- Access to some of the finest wilderness landscapes in Scotland by using our private boat
- Capture the spectacular mountain scenery and encounter wildlife such as eagles and dolphins
- Sample fresh local cuisine in the award winning restaurant at our remote lodge
- 7 nights accommodation in a remote Wilderness Lodge by the shore. Each client will have their own single room, unless a twin or double room is requested.
- Breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals are included throughout (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All boat transfers during the holiday, starting and finishing in Mallaig
- The services of Colin Prior, who will work closely with each group member throughout the trip, helping you develop your photographic skills.
Green 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.
Our accommodation on Knoydart is an alpine- style wilderness lodge set right by the beach amongst magnificent coastal and mountain scenery, and views across to Skye.
With a spacious interior you will be allocated a single room unless you request a double/twin. Bedrooms are located on the upper level while the ground floor consists of a large lounge and open plan kitchen (this is for tea & coffee – we dine in the restaurant). Shared bathroom facilities are adjacent to the kitchen, with showers, basins & toilets – there are no en-suite rooms.
Freshly prepared, locally sourced meals are taken in the adjacent “Taste of Scotland” accredited restaurant and are a real highlight of this trip, with freshly caught seafood a particular specialty. Special dietary requirements can be catered for. The restaurant is licensed and offers an excellent choice of wines, beers and spirits.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
You will be met by Colin Prior on the main platform at Mallaig Railway Station at 5:50pm on Day 1 of your trip. The time coincides with the arrival of the train from Glasgow. You will be dropped back at 10.00am on the last day in time for 10.10am train For full details on how to get to Mallaig, please see our website: Recommended Travel.
For advice on getting to and from Scotland please our travel advice page on our website:
Trip Details
Often described as the last wilderness in Scotland, the Knoydart peninsula has an island atmosphere, isolated from the rest of the Western Highlands by the ‘rough bounds’, a notorious strip of mountainous terrain.
For this reason, Knoydart has always been best accessed by boat which we use to our advantage during the week.
From our accommodation on the tip of the peninsula we can also explore the nearby islands of Skye, Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna, providing an appetising contrast of landscapes to work with during the holiday. On the boat trips we can expect to encounter whales, dolphins and porpoises, while sightings of golden eagles are common on Knoydart. Colin Prior’s photographic knowledge of the Highlands is second to none – and this region is one of his absolute favourites.
This photography holiday is based at a remote wilderness lodge on the western tip of Knoydart. During the week, we have access a boat which means that we can easily visit many remote coastal areas, allowing us unique opportunities to interact with the landscape. The surrounding area of Loch Nevis and Loch Hourn as well as the Small Isles archipelago and Skye are all within reach although we will select our daily destinations based on the weather and the best opportunities for our photography workshops.
What’s included in this photography holiday:
- 7 nights accommodation in a wilderness lodge in Knoydart
- All meals
- All boat transfers during the holiday, starting and finishing in Mallaig
- Tuition, coaching and guidance from Colin Prior throughout the trip
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – The Photography Holiday Begins!
We meet in Mallaig for this unique photography holiday, which is easily reached by car or train via the spectacular West Highland Railway Line. A short transfer by boat takes us to our base at Doune on the very tip of the Knoydart Peninsula. An informal introductory presentation will establish the aspirations of individuals and we will discuss week’s photographic opportunities based on the most accurate weather forecasts. (D)
Day 2 – Initial photography workshop with Colin Prior
After breakfast we depart on the ‘Mary Doune’ to explore Loch Hourn visiting an area of outstanding beauty with stands of Caledonian pines. Dominated by the high summits of Ladhar Bheinn, Knoydart boasts two other Murnros, Luinne Bheinn and Meall Bhuide. We’ll also search for seal colonies at the head of Loch Hourn. These all provide excellent scope for photography and our workshop will help you capture the images in your preferred style. (B, L, D)
Day 3 – The Isle of Eigg
Using our fast boat, the ‘Mary Doune’, we speed across the Sound of Sleat towards Eigg. Eigg has fascinating geology and hosts many curios, including the unmistakable Sgurr, which is composed of pitchstone. Further north lies Laig Bay which affords stunning vistas to the Isle of Rhum and creates a backdrop for the volcanic beaches of Laig Bay, making it a must visit destination for any photography holiday in Scotland. (B, L, D)
Day 4 – The Isle of Skye
Crossing the Sound of Sleat, we head for Loch Scavaig and where there is a huge seal colony. We disembark and walk to the head of Loch Coruisk, which sits in an amphitheatre surrounded by the main peaks of the Cuillin. There are many options to focus on during this photography workshop such as the landscape, the wildlife and the ocean. (B, L, D)
Day 5 – The Isle of Rum
This fascinating island offers superb landscape photography in addition to excellent wildlife possibilities – during May and June the cliffs are alive with nesting seabirds which include gulliemots, puffins with food for their young. The large population of red deer also make excellent subjects for our photography. The whole island is a Nature Reserve with a fascinating natural and social history which we’ll discover on this memorable outing. Rum also boasts a very unusual castle with many features of interest to the photographer. (B, L, D)
Day 6 – A visit to Canna
A rarely-visited island – yet one of the jewels of the Hebrides. Stunning vistas of the western faces of the Cuillin mountains on Skye and unusual vantage points for the mainland hills, allows us to photograph familiar landscapes with a fresh outlook. On a clear day the Outer Hebrides are visible over the waters of the Minch. (B, L, D)
Day 7 – Muck
Cruising past the east coast of Eigg we arrive at Muck in just over an hour. Here we will work on the white sandy beaches before heading out over the headland and, if the tidal conditions permit, to Horse Island. (B, L, D)
Day 8 – Return to Mallaig
Following a relaxed breakfast, we board the launch boat and, keeping our eyes open for Minke Whales which are often spotted in these waters, return to Mallaig. For those travelling by rail, we arrive in Mallaig in time to catch the mid-morning train back to Glasgow. (B)
Prices and Dates
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Trip Reviews
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.
by Simon Coupe 06/06/2018
Pre-Trip Service
Very informative and responsive
Trip Comments
Good company on the trip with excellent photography tuition and local knowledge added to the experience
Accommodation and Food
Basic , but it was a wilderness lodge!
Your Guide
Superb photography knowledge and tuition from Colin. Very supportive to us all collectively and individually. Learnt a lot in the week.
Colin and Andy's local knowledge made all the difference to this trip with some wonderful landscapes everyday despite some difficult weather conditions on a couple of days
The Bottom Line
Excellent trip, exceeded expectations.
by Tom Lovatt 16/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Very helpful whenever I called or emailed.
Trip Comments
The workshop was terrific. Colin spent time with everyone giving individual instruction. He was a delight to be with, and I learned a lot.
Accommodation and Food
I enjoyed my stay at Doune at Knoydart. All the staff was very friendly and enjoyable, including Andy and Robin who took us to many beautiful places on the Mary Doune. Each meal was absolutely delicious. My only complaint was that they fed us to much.
The Bottom Line
I will recommend this trip to all my photo friends.
by Bronwyn Stafford 15/08/2017
Pre-Trip Service
I had "problems" with my credit card and when I phoned, the staff were extraordinarily helpful.
Trip Comments
This trip was exactly how it was described and just what I wanted.
Accommodation and Food
What a wonderful place, stunning food and great people. The accommodation was simple but had everything I needed. Every meal was a delight that showcased the best of local produce. The staff were exceptional.
Your Guide
The combined experience, knowledge and talents of Andy and Colin made the most of the weather and the locations to provide a range of photographic opportunities.
The Bottom Line
Wilderness Scotland is my first choice when I'm looking for a trip that features outdoor activities that suit my interests, ability level and budget.
