Overview
If a picture truly paints a thousand words, the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands would fill all 4,224 pages of Harry Potter (much of which was filmed here). Blessed with quite simply the most sensational landscapes in Britain, Scotland’s rugged northern Highlands lend themselves to phenomenal landscape photography… even under the darkest of brooding skies. In fact, Scotland’s famously fickle weather is a bonus: Within the space of one hour, it’s possible to shoot the same location under gorgeous blue skies, when roiled by bruising clouds, and gilded in shafts of golden sunlight. Plus, off the western coast is the Isle of Skye, considered among the most dramatically picturesque places in all Britain, with its breathtaking physical formations and elemental battered landscapes of epic grandeur.
Our itinerary spans the full range. Enchanting waterfalls… Huge soaring sea stacks… Surging peninsulas… Improbably white-sand beaches… Wind-ruffled lochans and moors carpeted in thistles and heather… And hauntingly beautiful glacier-scoured mountains. Plus, this remote region is replete with wildlife: our chance to photograph auks, eagles, and puffins; mammals from pine marten to deer; plus otter, porpoise, harbor seals, and giant basking sharks, all of which frequent the waters.
We’ll visit in early October when the autumn colors are at their most spectacular. As travel should expand the mind, provide a learning experience, and inspire an appreciation for local culture, we won’t forget the human component: The living culture that defines this magnificent region… from weathered fishermen to the shepherds herding their flocks with sheepdogs. Plus, we’ll sample a wee dram or two, get to learn about malt whisky, and photograph at the Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye. Other highlights viewing the Jacobite Stream Train (aka Hogwart’s Express) thundering across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct… Glencoe… ancient Neolithic standing stones… traditional earth-roofed croft houses… Urquhart Castle… Loch Ness… plus Edinburgh.
Trip leader, Christopher P. Baker, a native Brit, is editor of the National Geographic Traveler Scotland guidebook and has written and photographed widely about Scotland for several publications. He frequently visits his sister and cousin, both of whom live in the Scottish Highlands.
We hope you’ll join us and experience the mystical appeal of this superbly photogenic and immensely soul-satisfying part of the world.
Itinerary
Day 1: Monday (October 23) Participants arrive and settle into our hotel in Edinburgh. Meet with Christopher in the evening for orientation, then a welcome dinner. Overnight in Edinburgh.
Day 2: Tuesday (October 24) Depart Edinburgh this morning via exquisite Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with a stop at the Falls of Dochart—our first chance to practice long-exposures to capture the cascades with milky soft effect. We continue via Glencoe, one of the most spectacular glens in Scotland and a setting for films from Harry Potter to the James Bond movie Skyfall. We’ll photograph at the iconic Buachaille Etive Mor waterfall, and perhaps The Three Sisters and Black Rock Cottage before arriving in Fort William. Overnight in Fort William.
Day 3: Wednesday (October 25) This morning we journey via the Glenfinnan Viaduct—a fantastic 21-arch curving bridge—in time to photograph the Jacobite steam train (the famous ‘Hogwarts Express’ of Harry Potter fame) puffing across the viaduct at approximately 11am. [NOTE: The Jacobite steam train stops operating in the late October, typically the last week; no guarantee can be made for 2023.] Arriving Mallaig midday, we then take the 1:30pm ferry to Armadale, on the Isle of Skye. Our first stop is the Torabhaig Distillery for a tour and tasting. We’ll then transfer to the lovely little seaside town of Broadford, with free time to wander and relax before heading to the nearby Eilaen Donan Castle, perhaps the most photogenic (and most photographed) castle in Britain thanks to its enviable location on an isle in Loch Duich. We’ll linger as long as feasible to take advantage of changing moods during sunset and twilight. Who knows… we may even have a chance to photograph a bagpiper in kilt and traditional garb piping away from atop the castle! We’ll then head to our hotel in Uig. Overnight Isle of Skye.
Day 4: Thursday (October 26) This morning we’ll be up early for sunrise before heading back to the hotel for breakfast. We’ll then explore the southern part of the Isle of Skye, with such locations as the Eilean Sionnach lighthouse, plus Loch Cil Chriosd and Elgol, a fishing hamlet with sensational ocean views towards the Black Cuillin Mountains. We’ll then head north to Uig for the next couple of nights, stopping enroute at Sligachan to photograph the famous old stone bridge and sensational cottage and mountain backdrop. Overnight Isle of Skye.
Day 5: Friday (October 27) This morning starts with a dawn shoot at the world-famous Old Man of Storr. This will be a very early start, but will be more than worth the effort as dawn’s light illuminates this incredible volcanic formation and adjoining pinnacles. Arriving the foot of these massive basalt spires, we’ll hike for about one mile uphill to reach our favored viewpoint. Weather permitting, expect some of the most sensational images of the trip. [NOTE: Clients for whom the hike poses a physical challenge will be offered an alternative venue.] We’ll return to the hotel for breakfast before exploring the Isle of Skye further, including the lovely harbor town of Portree, with its pastel-painted harborfront row-houses, and Kilt Rock waterfall—a cascade tumbling over a cliff into the sea. Sunset will be shot from right behind our hotel, where there are amazing views over the bay, with a picturesque church on a hill. Overnight Isle of Skye.
Day 6: Saturday (October 28) We’ll start the day at one of the world’s most impressive landscapes—The Quiraing, where we will shoot the first light hitting the many hills and ridges. Fortunately, it’s just a few minutes drive from our hotel, where we’ll breakfast before check out to board our 9:40am ferry from Uig to the Outer Hebrides. Arriving Tarbert, on the Isle of Lewis, we’ll drive the short distance to the Northton salt marshes and Luskentyre—arguably the most beautiful beach in Britain, with sands like Valspar Perfection dissolving into a Caribbean teal-blue sea. Time permitting, for sunset we’ll shoot the Mangersta sea stacks before settling into our lovely family-run lodge. Overnight Isle of Harris.
Day 7: Sunday (October 29) An early start today for sunrise at the Callanish Standing Stones, one of the finest examples of Neolithic standing stones in Britain: This haunting complex perched on an elevated coastal promontory dates back 5,000 years and is a mini-Stonehenge without the crowds. We’ll then breakfast before heading south to tour the Isle of Harris. The roads passes many amazing views (including photogenic abandoned croft houses) so we’ll be stopping regularly to grab shots and react to the ever-changing Hebridean Light. We plan on ending our day with a sunset shoot at Small Beach, which in the right conditions is amazing for photos at dusk. Overnight Isle of Harris.
Day 8: Monday (October 30) Following breakfast, we’ll head to the north of Lewis and visit Duncalloway Broch before photographing at Gearrannan Blackhouse village, a photogenic conclave of traditional turf-roofed Hebridean houses set above a gorgeous white-sand beach. Harris tweed, the world’s most luxurious wool fabric, is exclusively hand-woven on this island and is still made inside crofters’ homes and small specialist studios. We’ll make the short drive from Gearrannan to the nearby hamlet of Shawboss to photograph a crofter at work on a traditional loom. We’ll end with a sunset shoot at Stack o’Phris (or Mangersta sea stacks), if the conditions are suitable. Overnight Isle of Harris.
Day 9 Tuesday (October 31) The morning will be at leisure to enjoy our lodge and its estate at leisure. After an early lunch, we’ll head to Stornoway to board our 2pm ferry to the lovely fishing village of Ullapool, overlooking Loch Broom. We’ll check into our hotel and freshen up before dinner at a nearby gourmet restaurant with Chris’s sister and brother-in-law, who live nearby. Overnight in Ullapool.
Day 10: Wednesday (November 01) Our hotel overlooks the lovely and photogenic Ullapool harbor, with its colorful traditional fishing boats, many of which are beached at low tide. We’ll make the most of the early morning light to photograph the fishing boats and the fishermen tending their nets and crab baskets. We’ll also have a chance to relax beside Loch Broom, spending the afternoon at Chris’ sister’s waterfront cottage. There’s a strong chance we’ll see otter, seals and perhaps even porpoise! Overnight in Ullapool.
Day 11: Thursday (November 02) Today we drive across the Scottish Highlands via Glen Glasgarnoch to Glen Affric—considered a pinnacle of the Caledonian fall colors and one of Scotland’s most iconic settings from the Glen Affric Viewpoint. We’ll then continue the short distance to Drumnadrochit and Urquhart Castle, on the banks of Loch Ness. Chris’ cousin Mark–a professional guide at Urquhart Castle–will give us a personal, privileged tour. We’ll linger around Loch Ness this afternoon to photograph Nessie! Overnight in Balchraggan on Loch Ness.
Day 12: Friday (November 03) Today we head via Inverness to Leaudlt Working Sheepdogs, at Aviemore–a chance to meet farmer Neil Ross to learn about, and photograph sheepdogs working flocks of sheep. Continue to Edinburgh, with time to relax or explore this historic city before a slide show of everyone’s favorite images followed by our farewell dinner. Overnight in Edinburgh.
Day 13: Saturday (November 04) Depart for home.