CAIRNGORM PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP SCOTLAND JANUARY 2024

Destination summary

The Cairngorm National Park is the UK’s largest, and lies to the east of the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands south of Inverness. This Cairngorm photography workshop will focus on the western Cairngorm and its natural features.  It includes a Red Squirral session in its natural habitat and the slower slopes around the mountain plateau that dominates the park. Deep glacier carved valleys,  jagged peaks waterfalls and pine glad hills all coming to make this a rich photographic experience. Most of the UK’s highest mountains exist in the park and they are under almost tundra like conditions on the high plateau in the winter months.

Pine tree forests cover many of the hills and straths with pockets of iconic Scots Pine adjacent  to beautiful glacial lochs.  Wildlife can be illusive with Red Squirral, Red Deer, Pine Martin, Osprey and even Wild Cats  known to call  the Park home.

During this Cairngorm photography workshop you’ll be  searching out the best locations in the best light and if cold conditions prevail this will allow us to capture frost, ice and snow over the landscape in this unique part of Scotland and the UK. A trip highlight is  3hr return  walk up into one of the northern Corries with spectacular views up onto the high ridge and strath below.

We’ll also spend a morning session at a dedicated Squirrel and bird hide in the Rothiuemurchas forest to capture Red Squirrelsgoing about their daily routineas well as some birds like Crested Tit and Woodpecker. A recommended focal length of 400-600mm is best to make the most from this session.

You can read more about the park through this link Cairngorm National Park

Extra information

This is a Wild Light workshop which means we will be staying as close to our main locations as possible whilst off the beaten track with as minimal contact with other people as possible.

Start time pick up Inverness – 09:30 – 26th January

End time – drop off Inverness  4pm – 29th January

Accommodation – single occupancy, private accommodation with our own facilities on location.

Fitness level

This workshop can be subject to cold and wintery conditions and a reasonable level of fitness is required. There are two walks at of up to 3 to 4 miles ( return  – 3hrs in total )   one of which is into the northern Corries were the paths can be wintery and slippery in places. If you have any questions the just ask Glen directly.

Meals – Pizza and salad first at the venue and then visit the Old Bridge Inn restaurant, Aviemore.

Not your usual photography workshop

You’ll be one of only 4 participants on this Cairngorm photography workshop. You’ll be breaking away from most of the well trodden tourist locations to seek out  wild, remote and unique Highland landscapes.

By taking a walk on the wild side you’ll be staying in remote retreats such as Highland cottages and small guest houses that we’ll have exclusive use of for all our workshop needs.

This means you’ll have better access to photograph the wildest and most isolated Highland locations. Plus as mentioned there are  only 4 places available for each trip, making them a more  intimate learning experience*.

Less is more

On this Cairngorm Photography workshop have less participants crowding out locations and therefore you’ll gain a better insight into overcoming the challenges of photographing   wild places like the Highlands. Challenging maybe, but with expert help and guidance from your guide and award winning photographer Glen Campbell M.Photog  find your way to creating great images .

In the Wild Highlands there will be more time to enjoy the space, peace and sanctuary that one of Europe’s last wilderness areas can still offer.

The Learning

Your guide Glen has 18 years experience as a photo educator. You’ll be immersed into the process of camera control, shot selection, composition, light quality, use of filters,  long exposures and final execution of image capture. It can be challenging photographing  in tough conditions but this can also yield some dramatic imagery when the light is at its most dynamic as the weather changes rapidly. You can read some testimonials from previous participants here

You’ll learn how to adapt and capture transient moments of wonderful light as they happen.  An introduction to aerial photography can be part of the program too if you wish to learn or are interested.    Finally in the evening we will review some of days images with the use of a high resolution projector over a dram or glass of wine .

The Accommodation

Self-catering rural Highland cottages, retreats  or small guest houses**  close by to our locations will ensure we can stay safe and make the most of our time whilst creating a sociable and fun environment. As with most of my trips  everyone gets their own room.  For meals we self-cater for evening meals.  You can guarantee all will be well fed and watered with a dram or two. Having this flexibility means we can work to our own schedule and make the most of the conditions.