Workshop: Isle of Skye, Scotland, 11 – 17  March  2013

Price: £ 1,095 / All inclusive

Availability: Unavailable

Loch Cill Criosd, Isle of Skye, ScotlandLocation introduction

Situated off the West coast of Mainland Scotland, isle of Skye is the largest and best known of the Inner Hebrides. Sometimes referred to in Gaelic poetry and song as Eilean a’ Cheò (The Misty Isle), Skye is renown for its natural beauty, history and wildlife.

The island has been occupied since the Mesolithic and has a colourful history including a time of Norse rule and a long period of domination by clans Leod and Donald. At 1,656 km² (639 mi²), Skye is the second-largest island in Scotland after Lewis and Harris.

The coastline of Skye is a series of peninsulas and bays, radiating out from a centre dominated by the Cuillin hills. The main peninsulas include Trotternish in the north, Waternish, Duirinish, Minginish and Strathaird to the west and Sleat in the south. Surrounding islands include Isay, Longay, Pabay, Raasay, Rona, Scalpay, Soay and Wiay.

The Black Cuillin, which are mainly composed of basalt and gabbro, include 12 Munros and provide some of the most dramatic and challenging mountain terrain in Scotland. Trotternish is underlain by basalt, which provides relatively rich soils and a variety of unusual rock features. The Kilt Rock is named for the tartan-like patterns in the 105 metre cliffs and its spectacular waterfall. The Quiraing is a spectacular series of rock pinnacles on the eastern side of the main spine of the peninsula and further south is the rock pillar of the old Man of Storr. Lochs Bracadale and Harport lie between Duirinish and Minginish which includes the narrow glens of Talisker and Brittle and whose beaches are formed from black basaltic sands.

Of all the variety of Highland landforms, the mountain profiles of Skye create the strongest sense of awe, and they have drawn visitors to the island for a very long time and as expected, numbers are rising. Skye is joined to the mainland by the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh and it also has two mainland ferry connections from Mallaig and Glenelg, the latter is on use only during the summer months.

For those who have never ventured to the isle of Skye in winter, the weather will most likely surprise you, with both wild stormy days and tranquil frosty ones equally likely and definitely unavoidable. The weather on the isle of Skye is highly unpredictable and as the locals say, if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.

Inspirational low sunlight days are perfect for the photographic minded people like Landscape photographers, where low light adds drama and beauty to the picturescape. We will be visiting most of these places and will try to record as much scenery as we can during our tour there. There is a lot to see and photograph on the isle of Skye and it is impossible to do the place justice in our 7 day tour, we will concentrate on the prime locations and make sure we create some amazing memories and images.

Neist point lighthouse, Isle of Skye, ScotlandWho is this course for?

All beginners entering landscape photography who need help; more experienced photographers looking to improve their skills; advanced level photographers looking for some inspiration or new and exciting places to visit. This workshop is for everyone.

What should you bring?

The weather is usually cold this time of year, we would recommend weatherproof winter clothes. Sturdy boots is a must, also warm neoprene wellies (if you can) as there might be some splashing in the streams. All your photography gear (see faq) and a few prints or digital files of your previous work for constructive feedback. Also, as there will be coffee & tea at the hotel, bring a little flask with you for those early morning shootings.

What is included in the price?

Seven days (six nights) accommodation on a non sharing basis and with no single supplement • Breakfast • Packed lunch • 3 course meal with wine • We have arranged for flexible breakfast times with the hotel which means, there will be no rush during our sunrise outings • One to one and group tuition and all transport during the course • Lightroom tutorial on image processing, for those with not much knowledge on the subject. This will give you an idea on how to best present the beautiful images taken during the course • Screen presentations of Dimitri’s own work and of your own images made during the course • Extensive technical notes to take with you and, also, after course advice via phone/email.

What is excluded?

Cancellation insurance and transfers to and from venue.

However, to save you money and time, we can provide pick-up and drop-off at Glasgow airport / railway stations at no extra cost.

Course times:

The course starts on Mon 11 March at 5 pm and ends on Sun 17 March at 10 am.

Accommodation:

We’ll be based at the Balloch Guest House. Free WI-FI available.

Finally

All beginners should feel comfortable booking this workshop. As we will have enough days to our disposal, there will be plenty of time for one to one tuition. Besides, the relaxed tuition method Dimitri is using, will have you making superb images in no time.

All our workshops are designed with tuition and inspiration in mind and our repeat bookings are testament to this. Please allow five minutes to take a look at the feedback page, our clients usually say more about us than we do.

Some of the walks in this course involve uneven terrain and some uphill but none of them is longer than 15 minutes, just a reasonable level of fitness is required. Our aim is for you to leave the course with a much better understanding of the subject and a great experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life; and most importantly, with a few very good images that you will be proud of.

 

Tutor’s pictures from the Isle of Skye.