June 2nd to June 14th, 2012
12 nights/13 days | Limited to 7 participants
$4,492 USD per person, land only | Single room supplement is 14% of trip cost
See discounts for repeat clients, early enrollment, room sharing, and 2 trips in 12 months etcetera
 Indicates that we have sufficient enrollments and will run the trip
 Indicates that the trip will run pending one or more enrollments
This trip has the minimum enrollment, and will go ahead in 2012
 2 places are taken, and 5 places are available
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Updated Thursday the 17th of May, 2012
Gateway airport: Edinburgh, Scotland [EDI]
Arrival window: By 9 a.m. on day one
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Scotland photo gallery
For cost, enrollment link and other details go here. |
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Also see the photography tour calendar for trips that precede or follow this one
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR OVERVIEW: The isles of Mull, Skye, and Iona, plus the western Highlands, the east coast plus Edinburgh and bagpipers etcetera . . . expect a memorable Gaelic sojourn. Perhaps when you hear the name 'Scotland' your mind is most likely flooded with images of timeless 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 Glen Coe and Loch Ness, the east coast, and finishing in 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 magic of its own. The Scottish folk are laden with barely discernable accents, but have a willingness to share their homeland of granite and green slopes, ocean and colorful tartans. Meet them on my next Scotland photography workshop.
INCREASING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS: There isn’t a straightforward way to describe everything you will learn on one of our photography tours in just a few words, but I'll give it a try . . . I instruct, encourage, nurture, coach, nudge, help and guide clients etcetera, all day and every day. This includes one-on-ones and 'collective instruction', i.e. advice given to the whole group at each photo stop. Subjects and techniques discussed and demonstrated are composition strength, shutter speeds, exposure compensation, how aperture choice influences depth of field, lens choice, filter use, long exposure effects, deliberate blur, macro and so on. I also encourage you to 'see' an image when the opportunity presents itself, i.e. to be on the lookout for those less obvious shots that are no less stunning. Lastly, I conduct image critiques both on location - digital camera screens are ideal for this - and via the use of laptops. PhotoShop sessions are also included as time permits. For more details regarding what you'll learn go here.
TRAVEL TO THE GATEWAY AIRPORT
o It is recommended that clients arrive a day early to be fresh for the trip, and to also counteract possible flight delays.
o Early arrival also enables you to explore the gateway city should you wish to do so.
o When booking flights, add a day for overnight travel or two days if also crossing the Pacific Ocean/International Dateline.
o The last day of the trip is the date you should arrange your flight home unless you plan to stay on. Thank you!
DAY 1 | To SCOTLAND and the ISLE of MULL
Arrival into Edinburgh prior to Day 1 is essential please. We'll depart Edinburgh after breakfast, and head for Stirling where the castle, bridge and Wallace Monument will get our attention. Across arable land to Loch Lomond, and on to the very photogenic and historic town of Inverary. The town, harbor and castle will provide plenty of ‘pixel tickling’ as will remote Kilchurn Castle to the north.
Near OBAN, 1 night
DAYS 2 and 3 | The ISLES of MULL and IONA
We'll take the first ferry out to the Isle of Mull, an island oft described “as Scottish as heather and porridge", and is a lush, green Scottish domain peppered with Black-face Sheep, Highland cattle and whitewashed cottages. You'll photograph the well situated Duart Castle from the ferry ride then from Craignure we'll make our way to Tobermory to explore the colorful harbor where sunken ships still hold tightly onto their centuries old treasures. We'll follow much of the islands coastline today on a one-lane road shooting as we go for several hours. On south late in the day to Fionnphort for our 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. It is a peaceful place preserved by the Scottish National Trust, and which you will 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 walk around and take in the invigorating Atlantic breezes and sunsets.
ISLE of IONA, 2 nights
DAY 4 | IONA to GLEN COE
Leaving Iona in the morning we’ll shoot more of the Isle of Mull including the Torosay Castle gardens and Duart Castle set against the Sound of Mull. Then a short ferry over the same back to the mainland where the terrain, and the photographic opportunities constantly change as we skirt inland lochs making our way to Glen Coe. 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 so the spot where the MacDonald Clan were massacred after befriending their visitors.
NORTH BALLACHULISH, 1 night
DAYS 5, 6 and 7 | The ISLE of SKYE
Back to Glen Coe for the early light, then following breakfast we’ll be heading north to the valley of Glen Nevis via Fort William. The valley is lush with foliage, waterfalls and Highland cattle, and is dominated by 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. Continuing to the Isle of Skye we'll pause to photograph Lochs [lakes] Garry and Loyne before moving on to 13th century Eilean Donan Castle on the banks of Loch Duich . . . a castle in a spectacular setting. "Over the sea to Skye", to our new 3 night base on the island made lyrically infamous.
Days 6 and 7 will be spent photographing the Cuillin Hills [mountain range], the Old Man of Storr, whitewashed cottages, Dunvegan Castle, the Elgol road and Common Seals etcetera. Portree harbor hosts a spectacular sight in the evenings when fishing boats return to the harbor with a myriad of gulls in tow. You’ll be on hand to record it all.
ISLE of SKYE, 3 nights
DAY 8 | SKYE to LOCH NESS
We'll shoot early again, then make our way to Loch Ness via a second look at Eilean Donan castle; Plockton; Loch Carron and Stromeferry; and a spectacular detour over a narrow winding road to the remote village of Applecross. We'll then follow the coast on the 'new road' which affords great views back to Skye and much more. On via Shieldaig and Glen Torridon where the elusive Red Deer can often be seen. Loch a' Chroisg comes next as we traverse the wilds of the high moors of central Scotland, then on down to Loch Ness for hotel check-in, and late photography on the shoreline of the floodlit Urquhart Castle.
DRUMNADROCHIT, 1 night
DAYS 9 + 10 | The EAST COAST
More Urquhart castle prior to breakfast, then a short trip to Divach Falls for a few tripod studies for 'soft water' effects before following upper Loch Ness - 'monsterly' good pictures and all plus a Bagpiper - via Inverness and on to Cawdor Castle and gardens. We'll then follow the coast eastwards via Bow Fiddle Rock, the Cullen Bay sea stacks, and Portsoy Harbour. On for our two night stay near Aberdeen.
At dawn on day 10 we'll be at the stunningly situated 15th century remains of Dunnottar Castle as the sun rises behind the rocky promontory on which the castle sits at the edge of the North Sea. The remainder of the day will be spent exploring the coast to the north by fast-tracking back to where we left off the previous day, then working our way back via the photogenic coastal villages of Gardenstown, Crovie, and Pennan, plus the lighthouses of Fraserburgh, Rattray, and Buchan Ness. Also Old Aberdeen and more.
Near ABERDEEN, 2 nights
DAYS 11 + 12 | ST. ANDREWS and EDINBURGH
More early light shooting, then on down the coast pausing at Crawton for the Fowlsheugh cliffs and seabird colony. Also scheduled for this day, Scurdie Ness Lighthouse, abandoned Usan, and Broughty harbour. After crossing the River Tay we'll rejoin the coast at St. Andrews - yep, that St. Andrews - and point cameras at the town's cathedral and castle ruins, plus the classic golf course perspectives. Sitting on the mouth of the Forth River are the picturesque harbours of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, and St. Monans. At Elie a short amble onto the peninsula will give you shots of the cute Elie Ness lighthouse and Lady's Tower.
Morning light on the Forth railway and road bridges to start day 12, then following breakfast we'll cross the Forth River and explore South Queensferry where Robert Louis Stevenson penned 'Kidnapped'. We'll then spend a few hours in Scotland's capital, Edinburgh. You'll explore the famed and ancient Royal Mile on foot - downhill all the way - plus shoot Edinburgh's Castle from Princes Park. Then to Dean Village, the industrial heart of Edinburgh for eight centuries when the Water of Leith provided the power for up to eleven grain mills.
Near EDINBURGH, 2 nights
DAY 13 | Flights home
Departing flights can be arranged for any convenient time. USA residents will arrive home on the same calendar day. Free transport is available to the next scheduled photography tour. See European Alps.
Photographer/Leader John Baker
The preceding itinerary is copyrighted by John T. Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images.com,
and authorization is NOT granted to business entities for professional use of said material.
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR FEES, DETAILS + ENROLLMENT
TRIP COST: $4,492 per person, double occupancy [land only]
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: 14% of the trip cost
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 [ensuite]; 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 transfers on the first and last days of the trip only; entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions’; and following the trip, field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, and a disc containing images 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 or a part of the trip; excess baggage charges; medical costs; personal items; incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as internet access, phone calls or laundry; baggage and/or travel insurance; passport or visa expenses; and airport departure taxes.
ADMISSIONS: Admission to the Torosay Castle gardens, Dunvegan Castle, small boat ride for close-ups of Common Seals, Cawdor Castle, Dunnottar Castle, Ferry rides and the tipping of Bagpipers for 'photographic purposes' are included in the trip fees. Any other admissions such as Inverary Castle, Duart Castle, and Eilean Donan Castle are optional and not included. 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.
ENROLLMENT
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