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Scotland, UK, Photography Tour
Includes the Scottish Highlands, the Isles of Mull, Iona and Skye, plus Loch Ness, and infamous movie locations

 

 

  June 28th to July 10th, 2024

  12 nights/13 inclusive days  |  Maximum of 11 participants, and a minimum of 6 participants

  $5,640 USD per person  |  Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

  The deposit for this photography tour is $400. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

  Explore our discounts for client loyalty, early enrollment, 2 trips in 12 months, referrals and more

  Do you have a question? Ask us via email: Click here
  Arrival and departure airport: Edinburgh, Scotland [EDI]
  Arrival window: For a variety of travel related reasons, arriving one day early is recommended
  Search fares at Kayak, Skyscanner, Orbitz, Google Flights or your favorite airline
 
Scotland photo gallery
  Map of overnight locations
  Client responses to our photo tours
  For the single supplement, cancellation policy and enrollment guidance see below

This photo tour has sufficient enrollments, and is a 'go'. However, do please consult with us prior to arranging your travel for the trip!  11 places are taken, and this trip is full.  Click here to be wait-listed for this tour
  Updated: Thursday the 28th of March, 2024

This photo tour has sufficient enrollments, and is a 'go'. However, do please consult with us prior to arranging your travel for the trip!  Indicates that we have sufficient enrollments and the trip is a 'go'
This photo tour will run with one or more participants. Please note that our group limit is not a requirement!  Indicates that this trip requires the minimum number of participants as indicated on line two above

 

 

 

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Photography Tour Overview:
With the isles of Mull, Skye, and Iona, plus the western Highlands, east coast lighthouses, harbours and castles, and a chunk of northern England, this will be a memorable Gaelic sojourn. Perhaps when you hear the name 'Scotland' your mind is most likely flooded with images of castles aside placid lochs, or perched on rock outcrops just as many castles on this photo tour do. Understandably, you might toss in an audio background of a lone bagpiper’s lament drifting across a misty loch, and mountain slopes of tussock grass, Sheep and purple Heather. Yes, that is Scotland, but there is much more. British Photographer John Baker will guide you around the Highlands and Islands of the Inner Hebrides taking in Mull, Iona, and Skye, then inland to Glencoe, Loch Ness, and the east coast, finishing in and around Edinburgh. The Scottish light is invariably moody as shafts of light illuminate white-washed cottages, castles, and the wistful moors. It’s ancient, it's modern, but above all Scotland has a Gaelic magic of its own. The Scottish folk are laden with barely discernible accents, but have a willingness to share their homeland of granite and green slopes, ocean and earth-toned tartans. As with all of our photography tours, early and late shooting is scheduled for each day.

 


Our itinerary . . .
But first things first! We suggest that you set your camera's clock to the local time, as your images will then synchronize with the times in our included photo tour field notes.

 

Day 1  |  To Oban: A three castle day
We'll gather in the lobby of our gateway hotel for our Scotland photo tour at 9 am, and head for Stirling where the castle, bridge and Wallace Monument will get our attention. Across arable land to Loch Lomond, pausing en-route for the included first day lunch. Then on to the very photogenic and historic town of Inverary where the town, harbour and castle will provide plenty of ‘pixel tickling’, as will a remote lakeside castle as we continue westwards. Late light in the Oban region.
Near Oban, 1 night

Days 2 + 3  |  The Islands of Mull and Iona
After shooting around Oban harbour we'll take a mid-morning ferry out to the Isle of Mull, an island oft described “as Scottish as heather and porridge". From the ferry ride you'll photograph a pair of classic Scottish scenes, then once we land on the lush, green Scottish isle peppered with Black-face Sheep, Highland cattle and whitewashed cottages, we'll make our way to Tobermory. We'll shoot around the colorful harbour where sunken ships still hold tightly onto their centuries old treasures. We'll follow much of the island's coastline today on a one-lane road shooting as we go for several hours. At Fionnphort we'll take the short ferry ride to the enchanting Isle of Iona. The island is considered to be one the most significant seats of Christianity in Britain, and was established by St. Columba in 563. Preserved by the Scottish National Trust, Iona is a peaceful place that you'll find quite striking and timeless. The Abbey, Celtic crosses, coastline and Scottish island life will bring you much photographic and spiritual fulfillment, and it is a wonderful place to amble about and take in the invigorating breezes, plus the azure blue water present for Atlantic sunsets.
Isle of Iona, 2 nights

 

Day 4  |  Iona to Glencoe
We'll depart Iona following breakfast and make several Isle of Mull stops for Highland cattle, Loch Scridain and a beautifully situated castle. We then take a short ferry ride across the Sound of Mull back to the mainland where the terrain, and the photographic opportunities constantly change as we skirt inland lochs making our way to Glencoe. In the late light of the evening we’ll carefully compose images that convey the uniqueness and ruggedness of his rocky valley. It is also the spot where the MacDonald Clan were massacred after befriending their Campbell clan visitors.
Near Glencoe, 1 night

Days 5, 6 + 7  |  Glencoe to the Isle of Skye
Back to Glencoe for the early light, then following breakfast we’ll go north and make a pair of detours. The first is a valley lush with foliage, waterfalls and Highland cattle on the slopes of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain at 4,406’. We'll detour once more for the view down Loch Shiel plus the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct as featured in the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie and two sequels . . . and yes, you'll photograph the train that is better known as the Hogwarts Express! As we continue on to the Isle of Skye we'll pause to photograph lochs [lakes] before moving on to 13th century Eilean Donan Castle on the banks of Loch Duich . . . a castle in a spectacular setting and featured in Highlander. Then "Over the sea to Skye" and on to our new 3-night base on an island made lyrically infamous.
The next two days will be spent photographing the Cuillin Hills [mountain range], the Old Man of Storr, whitewashed cottages, Dunvegan Castle, a spectacular lighthouse, a remote country lane loaded with images, and much more. We'll also shoot around colorful Portree harbour when, hopefully, fishing boats are returning with a few dozen seagulls in tow creating a memorable scene.
Isle of Skye, 3 nights


The 'Hogwarts Express'

Day 8  |  Skye to Loch Ness
We'll shoot early again, then head in the direction of Loch Ness via a second look at Eilean Donan castle if the light is better or different than our first photo session at that spot. On via Loch Carron, and a spectacular detour over a narrow winding road to a remote village that sits just feet from the ocean. We'll then follow an almost deserted coast road which affords great views back to Skye, highland cows and much more. On via Shieldaig and the wilds of the Scottish high moors where the elusive Red Deer can often be seen. We then cross to the lush green landscape of the east side of Scotland to Loch Ness for hotel check-in, with late light shots of the floodlit Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness.
Near Loch Ness, 1 night

 

Day 9  |  Loch Ness to Banff
More Urquhart castle prior to breakfast, then a short trip to a nearby waterfall for a few tripod studies for 'soft water' effects. When then follow Loch Ness northwards, and on via Inverness to the north Aberdeenshire coast for another collection of photo stops. Included will be a castle and gardens, coastal rock formations and rustic coastal villages et cetera. On to our overnight stay, and late light at the ocean to close the day.
Near Banff, 1 night

 

Day 10  |  Banff to Stonehaven
Early light around Banff harbour, then after breakfast and check-out we'll continue on around the coast via several photogenic coastal villages plus a pair of lighthouses. When the late light hits we'll be composing shots of the moody specter that is the stunningly situated 15th century remains of Dunnottar Castle, a spectacular Scottish classic.
Near Stonehaven, 1 night

Days 11 + 12  |  Stonehaven to Edinburgh: The Edinburgh region

At dawn on day 11 we'll be back at Dunnottar Castle as the sun rises behind the rocky promontory on which the castle sits at the edge of the North Sea. Then on down the coast for the magnificent grounds and gardens of Glamis Castle . . . Highland cattle included. After crossing the River Tay we'll rejoin the coast at St. Andrews - yep, that St. Andrews - and point cameras at the town's multiple facets, not just the golf course! After shooting a charming harbour and the Firth of Forth bridges we'll travel on to our hotel near the Edinburgh airport for a two-night stay.
Day 12 will be taken up with a variety of stops in and around Edinburgh, and the Firth of Forth estuary. Castles, Rosslyn Chapel, coastal scenes, bridges old and new, plus Dean village will all be included. The included dinner on the last night of our photography tour will feature an 'It's You!' presentation of clients in action on this tour by John.
Near Edinburgh airport, 2 nights

 

Day 13  |  Departure day
As there isn't any photography scheduled for the day of departure on this trip, your flight home can be arranged for any time today. Transport to the airport is included unless you’re staying on for a day or more.


Photo Tour Photographer/Leader: John Baker, Travel Images Photography Tours
The preceding itinerary is a copyrighted work by John Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images Photography Tours

 

 

 


Enhancing Your Photography Skills
Describing the assistance you'll receive on one of our photography tours takes more than a few words, so for greater detail please go here.

 

Exertion level: This photography tour is classified as 'non strenuous' to 'mildly strenuous'

A majority of images are found in close proximity to our vehicle

In every other respect this photography tour is considered non-strenuous to mildly strenuous

 

Do you need a Visa for travel to the United Kingdom?
Travelers from all countries can do a quick check of visa requirements here or here
Our international clients may need to contact the embassy of their intended destination in their own country for a visa. Go here or here

 


Photography Tour Cost, Deposit, Cancellation Policy and Enrollment Guidance

Trip Cost: $5,640 USD per person not including airfare. A 5% discount is applied to all double occupancies. A single room supplement is required for single occupancy

Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

 

The deposit for this photography tour is $400. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

 

Cancellation policy: Go here

Enrollment guidance: Go here

 


Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .

  • Photography instruction throughout the trip by John

  • All accommodations with private facilities [en-suite]

  • All breakfasts

  • Lunch on day one of the trip

  • Dinner on the last night of the trip

  • On-vehicle snacks and bottled water

  • All ground transportation

  • Airport pick-up on day 1, and drop-off on departure day. Arrival prior to day 1 is not included

  • Entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions Included’

  • Following the trip you'll receive detailed field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, plus image uploads to a private web page of clients 'in action' on the trip

Not Included in the Trip Cost: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant . . .

  • Airfare

  • Travel costs between your home and the gateway airport and return

  • Any transportation or travel costs incurred prior to or after the tour’s inclusive dates

  • Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodation

  • Lunches and dinners except for lunch on day one of the trip, and dinner on the last night of the trip

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary

  • Baggage fees

  • Medical expenses

  • Personal items such as the hotel mini-bar, laundry et cetera

  • Incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as movie rentals, internet and phone

  • Travel insurance

  • Passport or visa expenses

  • Airport departure taxes, if applicable

Admissions Included in the Trip Cost:

  • Iona abbey

  • Dunvegan castle

  • Cawdor castle

  • We photograph the exterior of other castles, and should you wish to gain entry admission is not included

  • All ferry rides and the tipping of Bagpipers for 'photographic purposes'

  • You will of course have free reign to photograph the exterior of locations not included, and if time permits, to enter at your own expense

 
 

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Travel Images Photography Tours: Guided Landscape, Natural History, Macro and Wildlife Photography Tours
Email  |  Phone: [+1] 208-559-8248 | Postal: Travel Images, P.O. Box 939, Middleton, Idaho 83644-0939