- Visit the Isle of Skye the location for some of Colin Prior’s signature images
- Photograph a variety of coastal, mountain and moorland landscapes
- Spend five days in the Highlands developing your photography with Colin Prior
- 4 nights accommodation in a single room within a stylish guest house, situated on the shore of Loch Alsh near the village of Balmacara.
- All meals during the trip (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All transport throughout the trip, in a spacious people carrier, starting and finishing in Inverness
- The services of Colin Prior, who will work closely with each group member throughout the holiday, 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.
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 panaromas 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.
Accommodation comprises of double and twin rooms, all of which are en-suite. Solo travellers will be accommodated in a room to themselves.
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:
Trip Details
This 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 and at particular points, superb views towards the Cuillin can be enjoyed 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.
Start – 0830, Inverness
Finish – 1530, Inverness
Recommended Reading: Highland Wilderness by Colin Prior and Skye by Cailean Maclean
What’s included in this photography holiday:
- 4 nights accommodation in a single room on the banks of Loch Alsh
- All meals
- All transport during the holiday, starting and finishing in Inverness
- Tuition, coaching and guidance from Colin Prior throughout the trip
Itinerary
Day 1 – Travel to Skye
We meet at Inverness Railway Station and transfer to Kintail through spectacular Highland scenery. We arrive at our accommodation at Balmacara where we drop off our bags and head 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)
Day 2 – The Old Man of Storr
After an early breakfast we will set off for the Old Man of Storr passing through Portree enroute. 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)
Day 3 – West Highlands: Torridon
Today will take us to Torridon where we will have the opportunity to photograph some of the spectacular mountains, which include, Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe. After lunch we will head towards Kinlochewe and Loch Maree where ancient stands of Scots pine can be found and superb aspects towards Slioch. (B, L, D)
Day 4 – Skye: Elgol and Blaven
After breakfast we will depart for the Isle of Skye and drive to the tiny village of Elgol where there are superb aspects of the Cuillins across Loch Scavaig. We will explore the beach area, which offers a wide variety 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)
Day 5 – West Highlands: Kintail then depart
On our final day, we 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 Railway Station around 1530, where the trip will end. (B, L)
Prices and Dates
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2019 Trip Dates
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 Haven Shank 14/07/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Had several questions for the Wilderness Scotland customer service folks and they always answered them promptly and with great info.
Trip Comments
The trip was just a dream. The beauty that is Scotland is just hard to beat. From the Fairy Pools to Cuillin Mountains - it was all just glorious. One of my favorite parts of the trip was leaving at 5am to try to photograph the sunrise at Elgol. It was peaceful, quiet, and a little suspenseful to see if the clouds would break for the sun. Lots of fun!
Accommodation and Food
The accommodation and food was spectacular. The food was some of the best I've had and the inn was everything I was hoping an inn in the Scottish country would be.
Your Guide
My trip was guided by Mr. Colin Prior who was just outstanding and a huge reason why I chose this particular trip. He's so well known yet no question was too basic for him to answer - so patient and kind. He made sure I was well looked after and spent some special time just chatting one on one. He's as impressive as his work is. Just outstanding. His tour assistant was equally as kind and outstanding. So glad I chose to go on the trip - Colin and Justin made it memorable for me.
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.
by Isobel Pearson 29/04/2016
Pre-Trip Service
All communication, email and telephone, was timely, friendly and very efficient.
Trip Comments
The tour leader, Colin Prior, and his driver Justin, were very good. Both catered for a wide range of fitness and ability levels. Even with less than perfect weather conditions we were out there visiting a variety of amazing locations conducive to landscape photography. A fabulous tour with a lovely bunch of like minded people. Thank you, Wilderness Scotland!
Accommodation and Food
Hotel location was perfect. Hotel/restaurant meals were excellent.
Your Guide
Guides knew the area very well and were flexible regarding locations based on prevailing weather
The Bottom Line
Definitely a great company - will use Wilderness Scotland again in the future.
by Andrew Turner 02/05/2014
Pre-Trip Service
Could tailor the info to the course and season
Trip Comments
Low - erratic and mainly absent hot water/venue could do with some TLC in and out
high - excellent tutorial work from Colin Prior/good food at B&B, lunches high on carbs.../excellent evening restaurants
Accommodation and Food
See above
Your Guide
Got some specific and valuable messages out of the course - good value all round on the photography aspects of the programme
The Bottom Line
Good value
