The west coast of Scotland is a region rich in dramatic landscapes and photographic possibilities. Join Richard Young with photographers Ben Osborne (in the Highlands & Skye) and Verity Milligan (in Harris) to take you to some of the best locations and guide you through a photographic journey to encapsulate the spirit of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
The tour makes the most of the light, but the Scottish landscape offers ample photographic opportunities at any time of the day. Add to that the constantly changing weather conditions, and you know that the combination of light and landscape will be magical. Whatever your skill level, this tour aims to show you the landscape at its best, with unforgettable views, allowing you to hone your craft while experiencing one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands and highlands.
Tour Start – 25th October 2027
Starts in Inverness, Scotland. We start our tour in the Scottish Highlands, staying for the first three nights at the superbly located Glengarry Castle Hotel, set on the shores of Loch Oich. Surrounded by tranquil woodland, reflective waters and expansive Highland scenery, this area offers a rich variety of photographic opportunities, from intimate details in the forest to wide, atmospheric landscapes shaped by light and weather.
There is a quiet, understated beauty to this part of the Highlands. Loch Oich itself provides opportunities for serene waterscapes, particularly in still conditions when reflections become mirror-like. Nearby, the Caledonian Canal weaves through the landscape, offering strong compositional lines and the chance to explore both natural and man-made elements within the same frame. Woodland walks reveal textures of bark, moss and fallen leaves, while the surrounding hills and glens provide a broader sense of scale and drama.
Autumn is an especially rewarding time here, with rich colours running through the trees and soft, shifting light adding depth and atmosphere to the landscape. This is a place that encourages a slower, more contemplative approach to photography, allowing time to refine compositions and respond to subtle changes in light and mood.
From the Highlands, our group will then move west, spending a day travelling through magnificent scenery, stopping on the way to photograph some of the late autumn colours. At the end of the day, we’ll arrive on the Isle of Skye – the jewel in the crown of the Inner Hebrides. The island has so many features and intriguing landscapes that a photographer could happily spend months there and never run out of subject matter. From the drama of the Black Cuillin hills to the watery complexities of the Fairy Pools, this island has plenty for us to focus on. In many ways, the combination of intimate foreground features with dramatic mountain backdrops allows the creation of multi-dimensional compositional pathways through each image. In autumn, the colours are at their most exciting, although for anyone interested in monochrome photography, the rock formations, rivers and mountains also provide structure and detail. And looking out from the coast, distant islands and dramatic skies are to be discovered.
For this section of the tour, we will be staying at Hebridean Hotels Sligachan. We will explore mainly the southern end of the Isle of Skye. This area includes the Cuillins, Bla Bheinn, Elgol, the Fairy Pools and Sligachan. We will also visit Eileen Donan Castle on the nearby mainland. This is one of Scotland’s most famous and (justifiably) most photographed castles.
From Skye, our group will then move on to the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Harris. Situated in the Outer Hebrides, Harris boasts some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes and is a consistent draw for landscape and seascape photographers alike. From captivating white-sand beaches to the impressive and imposing Harris hills, the island is perfect for capturing a wide range of scenes, whatever the weather.
Our time on Harris aims to show off the best of the island, exploring both the west coast and hidden spots on the east coast that are often overlooked. We’ll visit iconic spots such as Luskentyre Beach, with its brilliant turquoise waters and vast tidal flats, the serene sands of Scarista, looking back towards the Harris hills, the rugged outcrops at Hushinish Bay (and the iconic Highland cattle that live there) as well as many other beautiful locations. The end of October is the perfect time to visit, with plenty of light and the occasional storm rolling through, adding to the atmosphere. Harris is an island that thrives in moody weather, bringing out the iridescent turquoise blue hues in the water.
Tour finishes – 5th November 2027
The tour finishes at Glasgow Airport at 12 pm. Please do not book any onward flights earlier than 2 pm within the UK, or 3 pm International. For those flying internationally, Glasgow has many connecting flights to London Heathrow.
Verity Milligan (Harris) – Verity Milligan will lead the Harris part of our tour. Over the last decade, she has spent many months exploring Harris, even deciding to marry on the island because she loves it so much. Her knowledge (and deep love) of the island will ensure that each participant has the best experience exploring the usual locations and the off-the-beaten-track gems.
Ben Osborne (Skye & Glencoe) – Ben Osborne will take you to some of the best locations and guide you through a photographic journey to Skye & Glencoe. Ben, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, has spent a lot of time in Scotland but is equally at home in the polar regions of our world. He is perhaps best known for his work for major BBC series, including “Life in the Freezer”, “Blue Planet” and “Planet Earth”.
Richard Young (Whole tour) – Richard Young has lived in New Zealand for the past 20 years but is originally from the UK. He has spent several trips exploring the Scottish highlands and islands, a landscape that calls him to return to again. He will bring his unique perspective and expression approach to landscape photography to the Scottish landscape.
Tour departure – 25th October 2027
The tour starts in Inverness, Scotland.
We recommend flying into Inverness Airport on the morning of the 25th. For those flying internationally, Glasgow and Edinburgh both offer connecting flights to Inverness.
We will arrange a group pickup from Inverness Airport on the morning of the 25th. If you arrive earlier, we will liaise with you to arrange a pickup at the start of the tour.
Tour finishes – 5th November 2027
The tour finishes at Glasgow Airport at 12 pm.
Please do not book any onward flights earlier than 2 pm within the UK, or 3 pm International. For those flying internationally, Glasgow has many connecting flights to London Heathrow.
Travel Agent
If you require any assistance making flight and hotel bookings before/after the tour, we have a recommended New Zealand travel agent we can put you in touch with.
We’ll stay at low level, photographing scenes which are accessible without long strenuous walks. However, some of the locations will require some walking and a basic level of fitness and mobility on rough ground is essential in order to make the most of this section of the tour as well as the following few days in Glencoe.
Due to limited luggage space in our tour vans, we have a baggage limit of 2 items per person. You may bring a 1x suitcase & 1x camera bag.
A non-refundable deposit of 25% is required to reserve your place on the tour or you may pay in full at the time of booking.
The balance of the tour price is due 90 days prior to the departure date. Should this final payment fail to reach us by the date specified, we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled and retain the deposit. If a booking is made 90 days (120 days for Antarctica) or less prior to the departure date, then the full amount is payable at the time of booking.
Any cancellation by the client must be made in writing. The date on which the email is received by us will determine the cancellation charges applicable. These charges are expressed as a percentage of the total tour price and are as follows: 90 – 42 days before departure 50%; 41 – 28 days before departure 75%; 27 days or less before departure 100%.