Scotland Photo tour : Highlands of the north-west (Assynt, Torridon, Skye), October 5-12, 2024
A 8-days photo tour in Scotland guided by Patrick Dieudonne, professional photographer and author of "Ecosse, de Roc et de Brumes" (2015). This photo tour is the result of many trips in Scotland, as a freelance photographer and guide. This is an original tour, often off the beaten track, in the heart of the North-West Highlands of Scotland, and on the Isle of Skye, perhaps the most beautiful Scottish island, certainly the most spectacular...Definitely a must for the landscape photographer who likes true wilderness.
Small groups of 6 photographers.
Note: this tour is open to all nationalities. I speak french and english and will be happy to welcome not just french-speaking photographers but english-speaking ones too in the same group.
We can assist in your flights bookings, do not hesitate to ask !
Bookings, Informations :
If you have further questions about this trip I will be happy to answer them. Please just email me at : info(at)patrickdieudonne.com, or call me (contact page)
NB : This page is not a travel agency page, you cannot book your photo tour directly from this website. Bookings will be possible only on my own travel agency website, ExpePhoto, which will be online in June 2024.
Photo tour, Scotland, October 5-12, 2024
Everyone knows the Scottish Highlands, one of the last wild places in Europe. On a territory almost devoid of human presence, mountains, lakes and moors share a land where the red deer reigns. But there is a heart of the Highlands, a place wilder and more spectacular, more withdrawn and even older than the rest of the Highlands, this is the region of Assynt, north of Ullapool.
Here are the essential Highlands: Torridonian sandstone mountains, carved by glaciers, stand on a pedestal of impermeable gneiss, a rock among the oldest in the world (a UNESCO Geopark). This creates unique landscapes of lochs (Loch Assynt, Loch Maree, Loch Scionascaig) which reflect the elegant silhouettes of the native Scots Pines, and the imposing masses of surrounding mountains. Among them the names of Suilven, Canisp, Stac Pollaid, Slioch evoke a whole world for hill walkers.
For mountains, however, the Isle of Skye can easily compete: the Black Cuillins chain, the most alpine in character of Scotland, is visible from almost everywhere. Add to that the almost mythical landscape of the Old Man of Storr, the chaotic mass of Quiraing, for good measure, and small picturesque harbours such as Portree or Elgol, - not to mention the proximity of the most famous castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle - and you'll be hard pressed to choose between these two regions, equally fascinating. ... But you won't have to, because our journey is equally divided between these two excellent Scottish destinations..
Our flight will depart from Paris, to Inverness, the gateway of the Highlands. We will stay in Ullapool, near Assynt, an excellent base for exploring the region, then we head towards Portree, the picturesque capital of the Isle of Skye, with good access to Skye's many natural wonders.
Photo Workshop Details
General information
This Scotland Photo Tour is guided by Patrick Dieudonné, professional photographer, and sold by ExpePhoto, my own registered travel agency.
PRICE: 2490 €
Single supplement: 250-300 €
Program:
(Please note that the program can be adapted to the weather conditions or group wishes in some cases)
Day 1 (Saturday): Flight Paris-Edinburgh (for french photographers. Note that we can help you if you want to travel to and from other airports in France or elsewhere). Transfer to Ullapool, our base in the region of Assynt and Torridon, the heart of the Highlands, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 2 (Sunday) morning session at Loch Assynt, Quinag massif and Stoer lighthouse. Break at Lochinver. In the afternoon, exploration of Inverpolly Nature Reserve, offering magnificent views over loch Sionascaig. We will also visit other lochs, loch Lurgainn for example, Enard Bay and the Summer Islands, all places highly photogenic.
Summer Isles
Day 3 (Monday): this morning, if conditions are good, we will go to Stac Pollaidh summit area, to discover a unique perspective on all the mountains of Assynt, with loch Scionascaig below. Then back to Ullapool for a little rest. Afternoon session along the coast (Loch Broom, Gruinard Bay, Loch Ewe), SW of Ullapool, and arrival at Loch Maree in the evening, for the best light possible. Back to Ullapool ..
Loch Scionascaig from Stac Pollaidh
Day 4 (Tuesday): we photograph the famous mountains of Torridon, which dominate Glen Torrridon, dotted with Scots Pines, and Upper Loch Torridon, a marine loch offering beautiful views on the mountains of Liathach and Beinn Alligin, two of the most beautiful mountains of Scotland. Road to Balmacara, near the Isle of Skye, for the night.
Beinn Alligin
Day 5 (Wed): in the morning, we take pictures of Eilean Donan Castle, the most famous castle in Scotland, in beautiful surroundings. Then we explore the southern part of the Isle of Skye, Loch Slapin in the surrounding mountains, the small village of Elgol and its superb views on the Cuillins, the loch Ainort surrounded by the Red Cuillins of more rounded shapes. Night in Portree, a charming fishing port and capital of the island.
Eilean Donan Castle
Cuillins from Elgol
Day 6 (Thursday): photography in the northern part of the Isle of Skye. Topics include: the fantastic Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the steep Quiraing, a spectacular chaos of rocks. Afternoon on the west coast, including Dunvegan Castle and Neist Point Lighthouse, one of the most spectacular in the world. Night in Portree.
Dunvegan Castle
Day 7 (Friday): After two days of exploration and photography on Skye, we are free to discover the most secret areas or return to the most popular sites with the group, to try other points of view or other things.
Portree
Day 8 (Sat): Road back to Edinburgh, flight to Paris or other destinations. End of a productive trip.
• All ground transports. • Full board • Hotel and B&B (double rooms) • Advices and knowledge of your guide, professional photographer.
What's not included:
• Insurances (more details in the brochure) • Photo gear • Alcohol and personal items.
Photo Equipment
• SLR (digital or film) • Sturdy tripod, ballhead, etc. • Lenses for landscape photography: wide-angle (below 24 mm), transstandard 24 or 28-70 mm, medium telephoto zoom lens (70-200). A longer focal length, but not too heavy, can sometimes be useful for details or wildlife (300-400 mm). For more tips download our technical brochure below.
Fitness
It is necessary for this trip in fairly remote areas of Scotland to be in good shape and properly equipped (see below). Nevertheless this tour is not about hiking or trekking. Car allows close or relatively close access to the main points of view, but moderately difficult walks are sometimes necessary to find the best spots (Old Man of Storr, or Stac Pollaidh, for example).
The Black Cuillins
Accommodation and food:
Accommodation is provided in Guesthouse / B & B **** or *** or hotel ** or *** , in double rooms. Single rooms on request. Food: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel or B & B. Breakfast can be "continental" (classic) or Scottish (beans, sausages, etc.). Lunch can be taken in a pub or restaurant, or be a simple picnic, according to the conditions and places. Wherever possible, we prefer a real meal.
Transportation:
We'll use a 9 seater van for a group of 6 photographers max. so you'll have enough space for equipment and luggage.
Bookings
Other questions?
Contact us using the form above or call if you need further information.
Kilt Rock, Skye
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
You can ask for details, from this page. But if you want to participate, you'll have to book through another site (ExpePhoto official travel agency website), which will be online very soon. It is impossible to book from this page, due to legal restrictions.
Contact
Patrick Dieudonné Photo 9 rue de Sampigny 55300 Han sur Meuse FRANCE Tel: + 33 (0)3 29 92 08 89 Mobile: +33 (0)6 79 63 27 25