11 places are taken, and this trip is full.
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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
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
June 7th to June 19th, 2027
11 places are taken, and this trip is full.
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Indicates that this trip requires the minimum number of participants as indicated on line two above
Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .
Not Included in the Trip Cost: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant . . .
