Trip created by Stevie Christie
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Region: Inner Hebrides including Skye
Trip Type: Photography
Comfort: Classic
Difficulty:
All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.
Download ItineraryThis photography holiday explores one of the most spectacular regions of the Scottish Highlands – Skye and the West Highlands of Kintail, Applecross and Torridon.
Skye, without doubt, offers some of the most varied and dramatic landscapes in Scotland. Renowned for the Cuillin Mountains, which are in a league of their own, the island features many other unique features including the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing on the Trotternish Ridge. Its coastal scenery is no less dramatic with superb views towards the Cuillin, especially at dusk and dawn.
Our accommodation is perfectly positioned for exploring both Skye and the western end of Glen Sheil where the mountain scenery is also spectacular. Here, the Five Sisters of Kintail can be seen from Loch Duich and from elevated points on the Mam Ratagan. Our itinerary is arranged to offer a wide variety of photographic locations both on the mainland and on Skye for a rewarding five days.
Recommended Reading: Highland Wilderness by Colin Prior and Skye by Cailean Maclean
We meet at Inverness Railway Station at 0830 and transfer to Kintail through spectacular Highland scenery. We will arrive at our accommodation at Balmacara where we will drop off our bags and head out to the Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle. The Fairy Pools are a series of waterfalls, which drain Coire na Creiche in the Cuillin Massif. (D)
After an early breakfast, we will set off for the Old Man of Storr passing through Portree en route. We will climb the path and make our way into the landscape passing under the basalt pinnacle of the Old Man itself. It is a haunting landscape and one with an infinite number of photographic possibilities. We will spend the day here and for those who feel inclined climb to the top of the Storr itself. (B, L, D)
Today will take us to Torridon where we will have the opportunity to photograph some spectacular mountains which include, Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe. After lunch, we will head towards Kinlochewe and Loch Maree where ancient forests of Scots pine can be found as well as superb aspects towards Slioch. (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will depart for the Isle of Skye and drive to the tiny village of Elgol where there are good views of the Cuillins across Loch Scavaig. We will explore the beach area, which offers a wide range of photographic subjects amongst the varied geology. On our return, we will have opportunities to shoot Blaven and Loch Slapin, near the village of Torrin. (B, L, D)
On our final day, we will drive to Kintail to photograph a series of waterfalls on the River Shiel. The river in this section drops around thirty metres and has created deep pools overhung by rowan, hazel and ash trees. After lunch, we drive over the Mam Ratagan where there are spectacular views back to Loch Duich and the Five Sisters. From there we will depart at 1400 to facilitate an arrival at Inverness Station around 1530 where the trip will end. (B, L)
To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:
ACCOMMODATION
We are delighted to base this photography trip at a wonderful guest house which is located on the waterfront close to the village of Balmacara in Kintail. It is less than 5 mins drive from the Skye Bridge and also offers enticing panoramas from the lounge. It is ideally situated for trips to Kintail and Applecross as well as Skye.
The emphasis is very much on dawn photography and with suitable weather, we will typically depart at 5.00 a.m. for locations in south Skye, returning for a full breakfast at 8.30 a.m.
SINGLE ROOMS
Accommodation comprises of double and twin rooms, all of which are en-suite. Solo travellers will be accommodated in a room to themselves.
All meals are included and we can look forward to the evenings as the chef is well known as one of the best in the region. Naturally, any special dietary requirements can be catered for.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
You will be met by Colin Prior at the fixed seating area of Inverness Railway Station at 8:30am on Day 1 of your trip. The London Sleeper arrives at 8:30am, if you are on this please let us know in advance. Inverness is a small railway station so it will be easy to identify Colin. We aim to have you back at the station for 15.30hrs on the last day. For full details on how to get to Inverness, please see our website: Recommended Travel.
For advice on getting to and from Scotland please our travel advice page on our website:
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY COACH
Colin Prior is one of Britain’s leading landscape photographers. His spectacular panoramic images capture the beauty and eternal quality of the world’s wild places, especially those of his own native Scotland.
35 People viewed this trip in the last week
| Trip Dates for 2019 | Availability | Status | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Apr - 14th Apr 2019 | Trip Full | FULLY BOOKED | £1,599 |
Sometimes it's nice to get family and friends together and travel privately for some quality time. This means you benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides and we'll take care of it all. Then you can make your choice of departures dates and we'll get back to you to finalise the details.
As an avid adventurer, Stevie has life-long experience in Scotland’s outdoors. He’s Co-Owner and Head of Adventure with Wilderness and been with us for over 15 years in a variety of roles, with innovative trip design being both a passion and a speciality. In his spare time, Stevie runs the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, bringing the world’s most inspiring adventure filmmakers and athletes to an audience of over 1,500 each year. His experience of living in the Highlands for over 7 years has helped design this exciting photography trip of Skye and The West Highlands.
- Stevie Christie
Call Stevie Ask Stevie 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 4.83 out of 5 based on 6 review(s) of Photography – Skye and the West Highlands
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.
Barbara Bolton
Reviewed on 16/05/2018
The Bottom Line
Haven Shank
Reviewed on 14/07/2017
The Bottom Line
I can't recommend this trip or Wilderness Scotland enough... I enjoyed it so much that I'm really hoping to take another trip next February. A fantastic time to say the least.
Isobel Pearson
Reviewed on 29/04/2016
The Bottom Line
Definitely a great company - will use Wilderness Scotland again in the future.
Andrew Turner
Reviewed on 02/05/2014
The Bottom Line
Good value
Jane Carwithen
Reviewed on 01/05/2014
The Bottom Line
At what ever level of photographic skill one had there was the opportunity to improve over the course of the trip, with the benefit of Colin's knowledge of the best locations in the area.
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