The programme for 2010 will include courses with
* Inversnaid Photography Centre, ** Light and Land and *** Photo Adventures (in conjunction with Lee Frost).
** Isle of Eigg (10-15 May) Glebe Barn, Eigg
The Far North West (23-29 May) Scourie, Sutherland
***Isle of Harris (11-17 June) Leverburgh
Isle of Mull (13-19 September) Pennyghael, Ross of Mull
** Isle of Arran (20 -24 September) Blackwaterfoot
*** Torridon (1-7 November) Gairloch
Other locations are being planned and will be announced shortly.
The aim on each trip is to lead participants to scenic locations, to exploit the potential of a scene and to provide instruction to improve their photographic techniques in relation to:
finding subjects to suit the prevailing light composition and viewpoint perspective focal point/centre of interest depth of field/choice of aperture filters – polariser and graduated ND exposure – compensation capturing mood and atmosphere recognising pattern, texture and small details making the most of your lenses evaluation of images
Courses are suitable for photographers of widely varying abilities and experience, whether working with film or digital. As much instruction as possible will be done out-of-doors, while on location. Indoor sessions will include illustrated lectures, discussions, as well as opportunities to view and evaluate participants’ own work. Digital users will benefit by bringing their own laptop.
THE FAR NORTH WEST
Sunday 23rd – Saturday 29th MAY 2010
NW Sutherland is probably the most remote area of mainland Scotland -beautiful, wild, inspirational scenery. At this time of year, the landscape is at its best and the weather usually very favourable. The trip will be based at the Eddrachilles Hotel, Scourie, in comfortable accommodation and with excellent cuisine. Scourie lies 98 miles NW of Inverness and for those travelling by public transport, limited minibus transfer can be offered. The hotel overlooks the island studded Badcall Bay with sunset opportunities right on the doorstep.
The northern part of Assynt is very accessible and time will be spent at L. Assynt which has small islets with skeletal pines and the ruinous Ardvreck Castle. The coast road from Lochinver to Kylesku is full of quiet scenic locations at Achmelvich, Clachtoll, Stoer, Clashnessie and around Drumbeg. One day will be spent on the northern coast at the Kyle of Durness, Balnakeil and Sango where there a numerous beautiful, deserted, sandy beaches and rocky headlands. At Farraid Head there is an extensive dune system with the possibility of finding Primula scotica in flower on the grassy clifftop – at this point you are not far from Cape Wrath. The road from Rhiconich to Kinlochbervie leads on through traditional crofting landscape before reaching more fantastic sandy locations, the pick of which is at Oldshoremore – more accessible and just as picturesque as the legendary Sandwood Bay just to the North. Even closer to Scourie is a short loop road through Tarbert which offers scenes of bare rock and small lochans – typical of much of this area. From Tarbert itself, a ferry crossing might be made to the bird island of Handa (cost not included). Heading inland away from the coast offers landscapes around L. More and L. Merkland with views of the distinctive peaks of Ben Stack, Arkle and Foinaven.
There will be an opportunity to regularly review and evaluate work taken during the trip.
Travel during the course will be by hired 9 seater minibus.
Cost: £682 (sharing), £820 (single) - covers accommodation, all meals, packed lunches, transport during the trip, tuition, but excludes any admission charges and ferry fares.
Book directly with Duncan McEwan.
ISLE OF MULL
Monday 13th – Sunday 19th SEPTEMBER 2010
This is a bespoke tour but is open to others should cancellations arise.
Mull is one of the larger islands that make up the Inner Hebrides and is only a 45 minute ferry crossing from Oban. The trip will concentrate on the southern half of the island which provides an interesting mixture of mountainous terrain (Ben More is over 3000 feet), wild moorland, 300 miles of varied coastline, freshwater lochs, sea lochs, burns and waterfalls, plus several attractive villages and castles.
Accommodation will be in the Pennyghael Hotel at the head of Loch Scridain on the Ross of Mull - the long peninsula at the South end of the island. It is well situated for covering most of the island. Close-by is Carsaig Bay where there are many interesting geological features including concretions, cliffs, rock formations and black volcanic sands with artistic patterns. A full day will be spent on Iona, one of the earliest Christian settlements in Scotland and renowned for its peace and tranquillity (no visitors’ cars). The Abbey, with its open cloisters and 9th/10th century Celtic crosses, provides good photographic opportunities. Away from the religious sites there are beaches of pure white sand and colourful rocks, as well as a disused marble quarry and a spouting cave at certain states of wind and tide. It may be possible to walk to the tidal island of Erraid which was the setting for part of R. L. Stevenson’s Kidnapped. Depending on the weather, a visit to Staffa will be considered (extra cost) to see the amazing columnar basalt formations and cliffs, plus the legendary Fingal’s Cave. Throughout Mull there is abundant wildlife with otters, golden eagles and sea eagles being regularly seen. The moorland areas should have good colour even although heather flowering will have peaked.
There will be an opportunity to regularly review and evaluate work taken during the trip.
Travel during the course will be by hired 9 seater minibus.
Cost: £810 (sharing), £910 (single) - covers accommodation, all meals, packed lunches, transport during the trip, tuition, but excludes transport to Mull, possible excursion to Staffa and any admission charges.
*** ISLE OF HARRIS (Co-led with Lee Frost)
Friday 11th – Thursday 17th JUNE 2010
While most trips to the Outer Hebrides divide the time between Lewis and Harris, this is an excellent opportunity to explore Harris alone and see it in greater depth than is usual. Harris is one of the most fantastic of the Hebridean islands - wonderful sandy beaches, dunes, machair, rocky shores, high hills and standing stones are just some of the features on offer. The East and West coasts couldn’t offer a greater contrast - the former a barren landscape of rock, moorland, peaty lochans and narrow sea inlets, while the latter has some of the most stunning stretches of sandy coastline to be found anywhere. At ebb tide, the colours and patterns of sand and sea at Luskentyre are something to marvel at. Many abandoned crofthouses dot the landscape and these always appeal to photographers as does the magnificent carpet of flowers which can adorn the machair at this time of year. At Rodel, the ancient harbour and the 12th century St. Clement’s Church add variety to the many subjects present on Harris. A visit will be made to Scalpay which is connected by bridge to Harris and it is hoped to spend a full day on the uninhabited island of Taransay (of BBC Castaway fame) where there is yet more unspoilt coastal scenery and remains of man’s occupation. The long days at this time of year may be tiring, but they will be rewarding with an opportunity to accumulate a great number and range of images.
Many ideal locations for dawn and dusk photography are only a short distance away from our accommodation in the modern Am Bothan 5* bunkhouse in Leverbourough – our group will have exclusive use of the bunkhouse. No single or en-suite rooms are available.
Getting there is by ferry from Uig (Skye) or by air from Glasgow/Edinburgh to Stornoway, from where collection may be arranged. Travel during the course will be by hired minibus.
Cost: £720 - covers all accommodation, meals, packed lunches, transport during the trip, tuition.
Book directly with Photo Adventures.
*** TORRIDON (Co-led with Lee Frost)
Monday 1st – Saturday 6th November 2010
Late Autumn is one of the most spectacular times of year to photograph the wild, unspoiled Torridon area of Wester Ross - rugged mountains, wild moorlands, lochs, golden birch trees, mature Caledonian pines and a fascinating coastline, will provide fantastic photographic opportunities. At this time of year the weather can add mood to these locations – everything from clear blue skies to storm clouds, rainbows, frost, mist and even the first snowfalls.
Only a short walk from the hotel is the impressive Easan Bana Waterfall while across the road is an interesting harbour. Red Point lies West of Gairloch and has beaches of reddish sand, low dunes and rocky outcrops, while in evening, there is the possibility of a sunset over Skye. A one mile walk leads to an abandoned salmon fishing station which is a popular location. Also close to Gairloch is Rubha Reidh Lighthouse, situated on a remote headland.
To the South, Loch Maree is dominated by one of Scotland’s most distinctive mountains, Slioch. The Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve includes ancient Caledonian pine forest while Glen Torridon provides classic views of Liathach and Beinn Eighe from the shores of Loch Clair. At the western end, one road leads through wild country to the charming village of Diabaig, while the other gives outstanding views across L. Torridon to Beinn Alligin. Beyond Shieldaig is the Applecross Peninsula and it is intended to go as far as Kenmore to take advantage of the many excellent locations.
The furthest North location is likely to be Gruinard Bay where there are commanding views over bay and coastline as well as opportunities on the shore itself. En route, a detour from Poolewe leads along Loch Ewe to Firemore Sands, Inverasdale and Cove while another interesting coastal detour would be to Mellon Udrigle. If a change of subject is required, there are the famous Inverewe Gardens at Poolewe.
Accommodation will be in The Old Inn, Gairloch.
Cost: £975 - covers accommodation, all meals, packed lunches, transport during the trip, tuition.
** ISLE OF EIGG
Monday 10th - Saturday 15th MAY 2010
The Island of Eigg lies to the South of the Isle of Skye and is only ten miles from the mainland, making it easily accessible. It is managed by the islanders themselves in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Highland Council in order to ensure a viable future while sustaining its unique environmental and cultural heritage.
The fantastic coastline and beaches at Laig and Camus Sgiotaig (the Singing Sands) will be visited on several occasions. With the Isle of Rum as a backdrop, fascinating rocks and shore details for foregrounds, variety provided by high and low tides as well as different times of day, there are endless photographic opportunities at these two locations alone. A walk to the summit of the pitchstone ridge of An Sgurr (1291ft) gives commanding views of the island and beyond to Rum, Canna, Muck, Skye and the mainland. An afternoon excursion to the Isle of Muck (30 minute sail) is planned, allowing three hours ashore to explore the island. Eigg is rich in wildlife including golden eagle, corncrake and otter, and many springtime flowers will be in bloom, providing colour and interest.
The landscape is typically Hebridean – isolated crofts, some ruinous and with abandoned agricultural machinery, dot the landscape in picturesque settings. Those at Cleadale nestle under the towering cliffs of Beinn Bhuidhe, while the abandoned 17th century township of Grulin lies at the foot of An Sgurr.
Getting there would be by car/train to Mallaig followed by a 70 minute ferry crossing. Special arrangements have been made to have our own transport on the island, greatly reducing the amount of walking – the only strenuous aspect will be the 1 hour uphill walk to reach the Sgurr ridge. Midges will not be troublesome at this time of year. Accommodation will be in the comfortable Glebe Barn, which we will have exclusive use of. The food is excellent. Sharing will be necessary (no single rooms).
Cost: £790. Covers all accommodation, meals, packed lunches, tuition but excludes the possible trip to Muck.
Book directly with Light and Land.
** ISLE OF ARRAN Monday 20th - Friday 24th SEPTEMBER 2010
“Scotland in Miniature” is a description that is often used to describe Arran and with considerable justification - fertile land, heather moors and rolling hills in the South are in stark contrast with the highland glens and bare, rugged, mountainous peaks of the North, including Goatfell (2867ft / 874m), the highest peak in southern Scotland. In Gaelic, Arran means the “peaked island.” The wildlife, which includes red deer and golden eagles, emphasises the Scottishness of Arran.
Arran lies in the Firth of Clyde between the Mull of Kintyre and Ayrshire and is only a 55 minute ferry crossing from Ardrossan. Connecting rail services from Glasgow, Glasgow Airport and Prestwick Airport take only around 45 minutes. Accommodation will be in the Kinloch Hotel at Blackwaterfoot (en-suite rooms).
The main road on the island closely follows the 55 mile (92km) coastline, passing through a succession of attractive villages such as Corrie, Catacol, Pirnmill and Lochranza. Two east/west road connections make it easy to get from one side of the island to the other and so take advantage of morning and evening light. The coast offers some fascinating and varied geology with features that provide for interesting landscape photography – old red sandstone, granite, limestone, rockfalls and glacial erratics.
The most impressive of the many archaeological sites are the standing stones on Machrie Moor, near Blackwaterfoot. Brodick Castle (NTS property) has fine wooded grounds. The 16th century Lochranza Castle is a ruin but has a lovely setting on a promontory on Loch Ranza. Glen Sannox, Glen Rosa and Glen Catacol penetrate deep into the heart of the mountains and have streams of crystal clear water tumbling over granite rock. In September, moorland grasses, heather and rowan berries will add a touch of colour to these beautiful locations. A trip to Arran, is a trip to Scotland.
Travel during the course will be by hired 9 seater minibus.
Cost: £890 - covers all accommodation, meals, packed lunches, transport during the trip, tuition, but excludes any admission charges.
Book directly with Light and Land.
Bespoke tours can be arranged to suit the needs of individuals or small groups of photographers.
