INVERPOLLY ASSYNT & TORRIDON, SCOTLAND JUNE 2021

Wild Light Summer Solstice in Inverpolly Assynt & Torridon, –  “a walk on the wild side”

Destination Summary 

This Wild Light Inverpolly, Assynt and Torridon workshop features some  of the finest  locations in the quieter corner of the North West Highlands with great photography, short hikes and  time to relax.

Inverpolly, Assynt are part of a remote area in the  North West Highlands straddling the counties of Wester Ross and Sutherland. Remote yes, but they are blessed with fine mountains, unspoilt coastline, rivers and lochs, and fewer tourists.

Legends say  this is where “the Viking gods practiced making mountains”with the charismatic peaks of Suilven, Stac Polly, Cul Mor and Quinag  providing the backdrop for many of our compositions.

This is indeed Scotland for the Connoisseur.

Torridon has some of the the most famous of the Scottish peaks in a chain of peaks that run north along Glen Torridon. Ben Eighe, Ben Alligin and Liathach will provide a back drop for a day out in the mountains offering majestic vistas. The Glen then opens out to  shimmering loch Torridon which makes a great lunch spot among  the native Scots pines . We’ll also make a circuit of the Applecross  Peninsula and capture the views from the Bealach na Bà, out over to the Isle of Skye.

Inverpolly Assynt & Torridon subject matter – Seascapes, Lochs, Rivers, mountain backdrops, Scots pine forest, open vistas, beaches, ruins, castles and Highland villages

Not your usual photography workshop

You’ll be one of only 4 participants on this Scotland photography workshop, breaking away from many of the well trodden tourist locations to seek out  wild, remote and classic Highland landscapes. Escaping the selfie sticks and tour buses and ending our days with west coast dusk sessions out over the Atlantic and Highland Glens.

Less is more

We 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 16 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’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

The Lovat Arms Hotel in the quiet village of Beauly will provide our base for 3 nights as we explore Torridon and Inverpolly. On our final night we will spend out in Assynt before making our way back to Inverness.  As with most of my trips  everyone gets their own room.  For meals we  venture to local pubs  that dot the region when available. 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.

Extra information

Start time  10:30 pick up in Inverness on the 21st June 2021

End time 17:30 drop off in Inverness 25th June 2021

Getting there  Inverness is serviced by bus and rail  from Edinburgh or Glasgow ( 3hrs approx ) or by air from major UK airports plus Dublin and Amsterdam airports

Accommodation 4 nights single occupancy room with Breakfast

Essential camera equipment  SLR or Mirrorless camera systems that can take a filter system are ideal. Lenses – ultra wide angle to telephoto lenses – 16 mm full frame to 200mm ( or DX equivalent) , good quality solid tripod that is easy to use and a waterproof camera bag. Lens clothes and lens issue.

Clothing Good quality waterproof and wind proof jacket and over trousers, gloves / hat. Hiking boots that are waterproof / watertight – Gortex etc.

Non essential but recommended Polariser, neutral density graduated and straight neutral density filters would be useful. I use Lee ND filters both hard and soft.  A Laptop with Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop or other image editing software. Good quality waterproof camera bag.

Weather
I’ve been photographing the Highlands for over 10 years and one thing I’ve learnt is to be prepared to be working on all condtions.

Reliably fickle weather can be a feature of Scotland and her dramatic and romantic landscapes. Conditions can be glorious at times but it’s not unusual to turn cool and rainy at any time of year. This can and often does add to the dramatic nature of light and land. It’s important that you have adequate and good quality outdoor clothing ( jackets and over trousers) including waterproof hiking boots that are waterproof. 

Fitness and mobility

Not all locations will be by the roadside, some locations are easy to reach, some require a little effort, walking sometimes on muddy surfaces. This can involve  short walks across rocky and uneven terrain. Walking times can be up to an hour, however  participation is optional at every location.

All ages above 18 years are welcome but a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required, regardless of age in order to fully participate and appreciate a Lightstalker’s photo adventure or workshop.  If you have any doubts of your suitability for a specific trip please contact Glen directly.

*Wild Light workshops  will be limited to 4 participants – it may vary on occasion, if this changes you will be notified.

** accommodation options will vary depending on availability

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