The programme for 2008 will include courses with
* Light and Land, ** Photo Adventures (in conjunction with Lee Frost)and *** Inversnaid Photography Centre.
*Isle of Eigg (5-10 May) Glebe Barn
**Harris & Lewis (17-24 June) Gearannan Blackhouses & Harris Hotel
The aim 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 for impact compensation capturing mood and atmosphere recognising pattern, texture and small details making the most of your lenses
Courses are suitable for photographers of widely varying abilities and experience, whether working in 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.
HARRIS AND LEWIS Tuesday 17 th JUNE Tuesday 24 th JUNE 2008
Explore the beauty of Harris and Lewis in the remote Outer Hebrides . For the first 4 nights we will stay in the Blackhouse village at Gearrannan (picture above), near Carloway on the West coast of Lewis . These traditional Hebridean thatched cottages have been carefully restored and offer high standard bunkhouse accommodation. Wonderful locations are within easy reach, from Uig in the South to the Butt of Lewis in the North - fantastic sandy beaches, dunes, machair, boulder shores, sea cliffs, sea stacks and as well as bleak peat moors broken up with numerous lochans. Iconic landmarks, such as the standing stones at Callanish and the Pictish Broch at Carloway, are only a short distance away and make ideal locations at sunrise and sunset. The many abandoned crofthouses and shielings that dot the landscape always appeal to photographers as does the magnificent carpet of flowers that covers the machair at this time of year.
Following that, we move to Harris for a three night stay in Tarbert at the Harris Hotel (en-suite rooms). There is a marked contrast between the East and West coasts of Harris - the former is a barren landscape of rock, moorland, peaty lochans and narrow sea inlets, while the latter has some of the most stunning stretches of sand to be found anywhere. At ebb tide, the colours and patterns in the sand and sea at Luskentyre are something to marvel at. In the South of Harris, the interior of the 12 th century St. Clements Church at Rodel has some wonderful architecture and carvings which present a different photographic challenge.
Travel during the course will be by hired minibus.
Getting there is by ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway or by air from Glasgow/Edinburgh to Stornoway, from where collection may be arranged.
Cost: £925 (covers all accommodation, meals, packed lunches, transport during the trip, tuition).
Book directly with Photo Adventures.
ISLE OF EIGG Thursday 25 th Monday 29 th SEPTEMBER 2008
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. For the last 10 years it has been 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 more than one occasion. Here, 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) leads across wild moorland and ends with commanding views of the island and beyond to Rum, Canna, Muck, Skye and the mainland. The rock formations on the summit make the climb worth the effort.
An afternoon excursion to the Isle of Muck (30 minute sail) may be included, allowing three hours ashore to explore the small Isle of Muck. Eigg is rich in wildlife including golden eagle, corncrake and otter. The crofting landscape is typically Hebridean isolated crofts, some ruinous and with abandoned agricultural machinery, dot the landscape. Those at Cleadale nestle under the towering cliffs of Beinn Bhuidhe, while the abandoned 17 th century township of Grulin lies at the foot of An Sgurr.
Getting to Eigg would be by car/train to Mallaig followed by a 70 minute ferry crossing. Visitor vehicles are not allowed on Eigg, A fair amount of walking will be involved although there is a minibus/taxi which may be used to save time and reduce walking distances.
Accommodation will be in the comfortable Glebe Barn, the only place on the island that can cater for groups. Sharing will be necessary.
Cost £600 (covers all accommodation, meals, packed lunches, tuition).
Book directly with Photo Adventures
KINTAIL Friday 3 rd Thursday 9 th OCTOBER 2008 Thursday 9 th Wednesday 15 th OCTOBER 2008
This trip has been personally organised and takes in one of the most scenic parts of the West Highlands . Six nights will be spent in the Kintail Lodge Hotel, situated at the head of Loch Duich, only 10 minutes from Eilean Donan Castle and under 20 from the Skye Bridge . There is a wealth of majestic mountain scenery right on the doorstep with the view of the Five Sisters of Kintail from the Mam Ratagan road being one of Scotland 's classic images. Beyond here, the road leads into Glen More and down to Glenelg Kyle Rhea narrows, the old turntable car ferry (the last in Scotland), historic Bernara Barracks and Pictish Brochs and finally the remote unspoilt grandeur of Loch Hourn. Other fine sea lochs are Loch Carron, Loch Long and Loch Long, while in Glen Shiel, freshwater Loch Cluanie can be very rewarding. The villages of Plockton (the most photographed in Scotland ?), Duirinish, Dornie, Glenelg and Kyleakin will give an added dimension to our photography.
One full day will be spent on the Isle of Skye , probably to Elgol. The road between Broadford and Elgol offers many opportunities the reed margins of Loch Cill Chriosd at the foot of the Red Cuillin, Loch Slapin, Blaven, Strathaird. Elgol is renowned for its location and rocky coastline with the wonderful backdrop of the Black Cuillin across Loch Scavaig. A boat trip to Loch Coruisk might even be considered (cost not included) if time permitted.
It will be early Autumn, so good colour can be expected, especially on the moorlands and hillsides. Tree may show more subtle colour changes and hopefully the rowan trees will be laden with red berries. Add in the possibility of frost, mist, dawn, dusk, stormy light and rainbows to the stunning terrain and one has all the elements for creating exciting landscape images.
The maximum number of photographers is 8 and travel during the trip will be by 9-seater hired minibus.
Cost: £630 ( covers accommodation, all meals, packed lunches, transport during the trip, tuition). Single supplement £90. Superior room (if available) £30 supplement.
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. For the last 10 years it has been 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) leads across wild moorland and ends with 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 small Isle of Muck. Eigg is rich in wildlife including golden eagle, corncrake and otter, and many springtime flowers will be in bloom, providing colour and interest.
The crofting 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 17 th 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. Visitor vehicles are not allowed on Eigg, A fair amount of walking will be involved although there is a minibus/taxi which may be used to save time and reduce walking distances. Midges will not be troublesome at this time of year. Accommodation will be in the comfortable Glebe Barn, the only place on the island that can cater for groups. Sharing will be necessary.
Cost £775 (covers all accommodation, meals, packed lunches, tuition).
Book directly with Light and Land.
ISLE OF ARRAN Monday 20th - Saturday 25th OCTOBER 2008
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, ideal for autumn colour. The 16 th century Lochranza Castle is a ruin but has a lovely setting on a promontory on Loch Ranza. Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa penetrate deep into the heart of the mountains and have streams of crystal clear water tumbling over granite rock. In October, 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 minibus.
Cost: £925 ( covers all accommodation, meals, packed lunches, transport during the trip, tuition).
Based at Inversnaid Lodge on the East side of Loch Lomond, this workshop is set in Scotland's first National Park and gives an opportunity to explore the beauty of the lochs, glens, woodlands and mountains of the famous Trossachs area. Inversnaid Lodge is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere, comfortable accommodation (all ensuite) and Linda's wonderful home cooking using fresh produce. Nearby are Lochs Lomond, Arklet, Katrine, Chon and Ard while crossing the Duke's Pass from Aberfoyle, brings you to Lochs Achray, Venachar, Lubnaig and Voil. These are all surrounded by wonderful rocky mountains and fine natural woodlands. The disused slate quarry near Aberfoyle, the boathouses on Loch Ard, and even items within the grounds will provide subjects to tax the imagination.
There will be a trip to Glen Coe with an overnight stay at the Kingshouse Hotel, situated on the edge of Rannoch Moor and in full view of Buachaille Etive Mor. This will allow dawn and dusk photography which would not be possible on a day outing from Inversnaid. There will be opportunities to photograph in Glen Etive and Glen Coe and en route there will be stops at Loch Tulla and Lochan na h-Achlaise or Loch Ba on Rannoch Moor.
For film users, there will be on-site E6 processing facilities and for digital users, digital projection equipment will be available. This will give the opportunity to view and evaluate work taken during the workshop. Travel during the course will be in participants' cars, sharing wherever possible.
Cost: £839 (sharing), £899 (single). Book directly with Inversnaid.
TORRIDON Sunday 27 th OCTOBER Sunday 2nd NOVEMBER 2008
Autumn is one of the most spectacular times of year to photograph the wild, unspoiled Torridon area of Wester Ross - rugged mountains, colourful moorlands, fresh and seawater lochs, golden birch trees, mature Caledonian pines and an extensive, fascinating coastline, all provide fantastic photographic opportunities.
Glen Torridon is dominated by the magnificent Beinn Eighe and the massive bulk of Liathach, one of the best views of them being from Loch Clair. The road on the North side of Loch Torridon leads to the attractive village of Diabaig while from the South side, one looks across to the rocky ridges of Beinn Alligin. Loch Maree has much to offer with mature Caledonian pinewoods on one shore and the distinctive peak of Slioch on the other. The area covered will extend from Shieldaig village and the North Applecross peninsula in the South to the renowned Gruinard Bay in the North. Another popular location is Red Point where there are reddish coloured sands and the remains of an old salmon fishing station. Apart from wonderful colour, dramatic and varied moods can be experienced at this time of year - morning mist, stormy skies, rainbows and frost are highly likely and even the first snowfall of winter on the mountains is not uncommon.
Accommodation will be in the comfortable Gairloch Inn, which is renowned for its excellent food.
For film users, there will be on-site E6 processing facilities and for digital users, digital projection equipment will be available. This will give the opportunity to view and evaluate work taken during the workshop. Travel during the course will be by minibus .
Cost: £865 (sharing), £925 (single). Book directly with Inversnaid.
Bespoke tours can be arranged to suit the needs of individuals or small groups of photographers.
