Assynt, Coigach and Torridon - Photo Tour
16.10.2019 - 20.10.2019
Western Ireland
| 
Colin Prior
history,
travel,
informal,
basics,
life,
outdoor,
people,
adventure,
photography,
light,
culture,
nature,
landscape,
sea,
weather
1450 GBP
The particular feature about the mountains in this north-western world is their individuality. The most famous lie north, such as the jagged Quinag and the ancient mass of Ben More Assynt, with Canisp and Suilven beyond Inchnadamph. Suilven is a remarkable mountain, and anyone with a taste for geology could spend a few days here in a dream of Lewisian gneiss, Cambrian quartzite and Torridonian sandstone. Our base at Arvrek House is a perfect base to access these landscapes and throughout the workshop, there will be opportunities to shoot at dusk, if conditions are favourable. Otherwise, we set off after breakfast for our chosen location – a journey that normally takes around one hour. If conditions dictate, we have the option of eating early and heading out to a location for sunset. During the course of the workshop, there will be tutorials and a group critique session.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Spend five days developing your photography skills with Colin Prior
- Private en-suite accommodation at Ardvreck House
- Enjoy fresh local cuisine at the Ceilidh Place in Ullapool
- Circumambulation of Stac Pollaidh with views to Suilven and Cul Mor
- Tutorials and critique sessions with individual feedback on each participant’s work
- Workshop restricted to nine clients plus Colin and assistant
Trip Itinerary
Below is a typical itinerary, which inevitably will change to take advantage of the optimum weather conditions on the day. The decision about the following days location is usually made the evening before when the most up-to-date weather forecasts have been studied.
Day 1 – Inverness, Torridon, Ullapool
Colin will meet you underneath the main display board in the arrival hall at Inverness Railway Station at 0830 on Wednesday morning. Inverness is a small station so it will be easy to identify Colin. On the final day of the workshop, we will return you to Inverness Railway Station at 1500, allowing clients to connect with the rail services south.
After the group has met, we will head for Torridon where we will spend the morning in Glen Torridon. After lunch, we will drive to Loch Maree where we will have the opportunity to photograph Slioch from a variety of locations. We will depart around 1530 for Ullapool following the coast road via Gairloch and Poolewe, arriving at our Ardvrek House around 1730.
Day 2 – Clachtoll, Lochinver, Point of Stoer
Today we will drive north to Clachtoll where the white sandy bay gives way to a rocky foreshore. The beach is partially composed of beautiful boulders composed of Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian gneiss – the building block of the north-west Highlands. After lunch, we will head for Stoer Head Lighthouse and take a short walk across the moorland, which gives superb aspects back towards the lighthouse and the cliffs. If weather permits, we will continue on to the Old Man of Stoer. On our return we will stop at a high-point which overlooks the mountains of Assynt and Coigach – Canisp, Suilven, Cul Mor, Cul Beag, Stac Pollaidh and Ben Mor Coigach can all be seen linearly on the horizon.
Day 3 – Stac Pollaidh
Following breakfast, we will circumambulate Stac Pollaidh. A well-maintained footpath winds its way up the eastern side and takes around one hour to reach our first location. Views from the eastern top over Loch Sionascaig to Suilven and Cul Mor are spectacular and it is, without a doubt, one of the best locations from which to experience the Assynt landscape. We will continue around to the northern face where large Torridonian boulders create a dramatic backdrop for the afternoon light.
Day 4 – Achnahaird Bay, Garvie Bay
After breakfast, we depart for Achnahaird Bay where we will follow a path along the cliff-tops overlooking Enard Bay. Here the views across the sea towards the Assynt mountains create a spectacular backdrop – Suilven, Cul Mor, Stac Pollaidh and Ben Mor Coigach punctuate the horizon with their enigmatic shapes. After lunch, we will take a moorland walk to Garvie Bay where a variety of photographic opportunities await.
Day 5 – Dundonnell
On our final morning, we will ascend a high point, which gives unbroken views towards An Teallach. The well-wooded area has stands of mature trees, which eventually give way and the An Teallach Massif is revealed in its entirety. A 1300 departure will facilitate an arrival at Inverness Station around 1500 where the workshop will conclude.
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
Ardvreck House is modern, spacious property with a large lounge area and which commands great views across Loch Broom to An Teallach. Bedrooms are located on the upper level and each guest will have private accommodation with en-suite facilities. Dinner is at The Ceilidh Place where the best seasonal produce from the Highlands is served. The restaurant has a ‘Fairtrade’ status and a policy of buying the best of local produce too. The restaurant offers an excellent choice of wines, beers and whiskies.
