- Spend six days on location with Colin Prior
- Enjoy access to some of the most varied and dramatic locations in Scotland
- Five nights, single occupancy accommodation at the Port Charlotte Hotel
- Breakfast, three course dinner and packed lunch
- Transport to and from Glasgow Central Station
- Tutorials and critique session with individual feedback
- Group size restricted to seven
ISLE OF ISLAY PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
June 13 - June 18
£2199
TRIP AT A GLANCE
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Dates: 13-18 June 2021
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Duration: 5 nights/6 days
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Location: Isle of Islay
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Start/Finishes: Glasgow
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Exertion: Moderate
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Price: £2199
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Moderate – these tours involve straightforward hiking generally over good trails. Terrain underfoot is mainly on paths or hill trails which may be muddy in places. There may be a limited amount of uphill walking.
Five nights, single occupancy accommodation at the Port Charlotte Hotel. Situated in the village of Port Charlotte, the hotel enjoys expansive sea view across Loch Indaal and has an excellent à la carte restaurant seafood restaurant which is included in the price. More information can be found at: http://www.portcharlottehotel.co.uk/
- Food aboard Calmac ferries
- Travel Insurance
- Drinks
- Gratuities
SYNOPSIS
Lying between the Scottish mainland and the coast of Ireland is the crescent-shaped island of Islay. Home to the Lord of the Isles for hundreds of years, the Queen of the Hebrides revels in her sea inlets, appearing and disappearing, vivid under the sun in hues of opal, cobalt blue and turquoise.
These glimmering sea lochs like tiny oceans, with rocky headlands and bays are a haven for wildlife; waders and wildfowl, golden eagle and hen harrier. There is much here for the photographer to discover.
We are based at the Port Charlotte Hotel located in the conservation village of Port Charlotte. The hotel is recommended in Michelin and Good Food Guides and is highly rated in the Best of Scotland Guide. The residents’ lounge and public bar feature open fires where guests can unwind with convivial company.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Glasgow, Kennacraig, Islay
Colin will meet you at 0900 within Glasgow Central Station in front of Burger King. After the group has met, we will drive to Kennacraig to board the ferry to Islay which departs at 1300, arriving at 1505. We will continue our journey to the Port Charlotte Hotel where we will check in and the depart for our first location.
Day 2 – Saligo Bay and The Oa
An early morning rise to capture the sunrise at Saligo Bay where marram grass dunes overlook the Atlantic. Following breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to the Oa peninsula situated in the south of the island. The elevated sea cliffs afford great views in all direction – north to Eileanan Mora and Loch Indaal and east to Beinn Mhor and Port an Eas.
Day 3 – Loch Gruinart and Sanaigmore Bay
After breakfast we drive north, towards Loch Gruinart where white sand beaches are backed by an expansive tidal estuary, often seen in shades of blue-green turquoise. At the end of the peninsula, Ardnave Point, lies beyond the dunes and overlooks Nave Island. The area is an RSPB Reserve and is rich in all kinds of bird life, particularly waders and wildfowl. After an early dinner, we will reposition for sunset at Sanaigmore Bay.
Day 4 – Machir Bay and Jura
An early rise to shoot over the white sands of Machir Bay, followed by breakfast. We will then depart for Port Askaig and cross the Sound of Islay, by ferry, to Jura. During the day we will explore Jura’s coastline, shooting at several locations, including Craighouse’s coastline and Lowlandman’s Bay, before returning to Islay for dinner.
Day 5 – Lower Killeyan and Claggain Bay
Dominated by cliffs and sea stacks, the bay at Lower Killeyan forms an amphitheatre overlooking Loch Indaal. The south-west coast of The Oa is home to a wide variety of birds, which includes golden eagle, peregrine falcon and hen harrier. After lunch, we head north west along the coastal road to Claggain Bay.
Day 6 – Port Askaig, Kennacraig and Glasgow
After checking out, we will drive to Port Askaig and board the ferry which departs at 0945 and arrives at Kennacraig 1150, which should put us comfortably back in Glasgow for 1500 where the workshop will conclude.
RECOMMENDED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
The ability to respond to Scotland’s changeable weather with appropriate clothing will enrich your enjoyment of the tour. Bring comfortable clothing, which will maintain your body temperature under a variety of weather conditions.
If you are susceptible to the cold, a down or insulated jacket is recommended.
- Lightweight boots or wellies – often the terrain we cover is boggy and wellies are the best way to keep your feet dry.
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Hat for sun protection or warmth
- Casual clothes for evening wear
- Personal wash kit
- Head torch
- Midge net
- Sunscreen
- Re-usable water bottle
PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
The information below is intended as a guide to help you achieve the most from this workshop.
All brands of cameras and lenses do exactly the same thing; they look outwardly into the world and record what they see on different sized sensors. The only thing that differentiates what they see is not the camera but the person looking through the viewfinder. So, what will help you gain most from this workshop is a familiarity of your own camera’s layout and menu structure and an understanding of the relationship between shutter speed, aperture and ISO.
Consider a camera bag that is comfortable and which allows you carry your equipment over uneven terrain. Backpacks distribute the weight evenly between your shoulders and hips and are normally supplied with a rain cover.
Lenses are very much a personal choice and will be influenced by the subjects which you, as a photographer, pursue. For many outdoor photographers, the combination of two lenses – either a 24-70mm or 24-105mm and a 100-400mm provides them with the ability to shoot from 24-400mm with just two lenses. If working within the landscape is something that appeals to you, then a 90mm or 100mm Macro lens opens up myriad possibilities.
Under certain circumstances, filters are indispensable. Graduated neutral density filters control contrast locally and come in a range densities and graduations. I use, almost exclusively, a 0.6 (2 stop) filter with a soft graduation. A polarising filter is also extremely useful for a number of scenarios and worthwhile having in your camera bag.
A tripod is essential for landscape photography. The emphasis should be on a relatively lightweight model which is easy to carry. The disadvantage of a lightweight tripod is that it is more vulnerable in high winds to both camera shake and to the risk of being blown over. One important factor when considering a tripod is that you can work comfortably with your camera at eye-level – many ‘travel tripods’ reach their maximum height below this height. Carbon fibre tripods are lighter and more expensive than those made from aluminium but do the same job.
Backup and storage – always a good idea to have your images in more than one place. A laptop or iPad is ideal and will allow you to see what you have shot each day and will facilitate feedback.
A remote release is essential. Whether it is a cable, IR device or a phone app it will ensure sharp photographs.
Spare batteries – batteries can be re-charged as required, however it makes sense to bring spares.
Lens cloth – a lens cloth is useful for removing rain or sea spray if it finds its way onto a lens.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
To confirm your booking, you are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the trip price. Once we receive your deposit, the contract between us will become binding and covers everyone you are booking on behalf of. After this, we will send you an invoice for the balance and advise you of the date for payment of the same. Brochure and website prices are quoted in UK Sterling. Payment will be accepted by:
- Maestro, Visa Electron, Visa Debit and Solo debit cards or Visa/Mastercard/American Express credit cards.
- Bank Transfer (details available from our office).
For our full Booking Conditions can be found here:
INSURANCE
We strenuously recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy as soon as you have booked your trip with us.
A travel insurance policy protects you and your holiday arrangements from the unexpected before and during your trip. It is your responsibility to make sure you have adequate cover and we are not able to offer advice on insurance. However, we recommend your policy should include cover for emergency medical costs, cancellation or curtailment of your trip, personal belongings/baggage and personal liability:
- In the event of emergency rescue and medical care and/or repatriation from a trip due to injury or medical emergency, any evacuation and medical costs will be borne by the client.
- If you need to cancel your trip with us, then you may lose some or all of the money you have paid.
- All luggage and personal equipment are, at all times, at your own risk. We will not be responsible whatsoever for any loss, damage to your luggage and/or personal equipment.
Some options for Travel Insurance Providers inculde:
However, we recommend you do your own research to find the best provider for you.
GLASGOW ACCOMMODATION
A list of city centre hotels at close proximity to Glasgow Central Station can be found here:
MEETING INSTRUCTION
Colin will meet you within Glasgow Central Station. Looking towards the information boards, you will see Burger King on the left and there is an adjacent seating area where I will meet you at 0900 on Sunday 13.
At the end of the workshop on Friday 18, we will return you to Glasgow Central Station at 1500.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
New bookings
If you are interested in a workshop with us in 2021, we would be delighted to have you join us. Please note that new bookings will only be accepted on the provision that if the trip is unable to go ahead due to Covid 19 restrictions and the trip suspended, payments will be held indefinitely and can be put towards any future workshop.
Traveller responsibility
- We request that all travellers bring a minimum of 2 reusable masks so you can wash one each evening and leave the other to dry.
- That clients declare to us if they have had Covid or Covid like symptoms.
- That client’s self-health check and declare to the guide as soon as possible if they do feel any Covid symptoms. It would be beneficial if you would bring a thermometer to keep track of your temperature.
- That you do not travel if you feel unwell or are symptomatic before the trip.
- That you follow all guidelines and procedures set out by your guide and any suppliers we use.
The current situation in the UK
To stay informed, we recommend you visit the UK Government website as well as the Scottish Government site where they are updating the situation daily.
We find this webpage which tracks Scottish COVID-19 data daily hugely useful to understand what the incidence of the virus is in the regions in which we live and also run our trips in.
Travel advisories and inbound health measures
If you are travelling from outside the UK then you must review the contents of this section of the Scottish Government guidance before considering travel to Scotland.
Travel advice for travellers visiting the UK from common locations.
United States | Canada | Australia
We recommend you check your own government advice with regards to travel to the UK and Scotland.
Pre-trip information
Please take extra care to read through any pre-trip information you are sent, paying particular attention to the Covid-19 details and requirements, such as bringing your own face masks, and being aware of any rules which apply in Scotland which may be different to rules where you live.
Please also check with your airline/train company about any specific requirements they may have in place for your journey to Scotland. If you’re informed, then you’ll be able to raise any questions with us ahead of your trip, which of course we’ll be delighted to help with.
Will I need to wear a mask?
You will need to wear a mask while travelling in our vehicles and in other locations specified by Government regulations (e.g. – shops).
There may be occasions when you need to put a mask on briefly – for example, if your guide is assisting you with your equipment.
However, you will not need a mask during the day’s activities outdoor, so you can breathe in the fresh Highland air and enjoy the unencumbered views.
Can I bring my own car instead of travelling in your vehicle?
Yes.
Where it is practical to do so, you are welcome to use your own vehicle throughout the trip.
There will be no reduction in price as we will still be operating our vehicle on the trip. Trips which involve ferry crossings may be more challenging to arrange due to limited capacity on some ferries.
If you are planning to bring your own vehicle, you must let us know as soon as possible so that we can plan accordingly.