Islay
21.04.2020 - 26.04.2020
Western Scotland
| 
Colin Prior
adventure,
excursion,
landscape,
light,
nature,
photography,
travel,
wildlife
2100 GBP
There’s a charm about Islay that captivates – perhaps it’s about the diversity of the interface between land and sea which changes dramatically around the island. Perhaps it’s the richness and abundance of its wildlife, which makes me recall my childhood, every time I’m there, or perhaps it’s just ‘Ileach time’ – a pace that is more in keeping with the natural rhythms of the Hebridean island. All I can say is, that the more I visit Islay, the more I appreciate its hidden depths. We are based at the Port Charlotte Hotel located in the conservation village of Port Charlotte on a beach-side location with stunning sea views to Loch Indaal. The hotel is recommended in Michelin and Good Food Guides and is highly rated in the Best of Scotland Guide and holds a ‘Taste our Best’ Certificate awarded by Visit Scotland.
Trip Highlights
- Spend 6 days developing your photography skills with Colin Priorr
- Private en-suite accommodation at the comfortable Port Charlotte Hotel
- Dusk and dawn photography in some of the most iconic locations in the Hebrides
- Tutorials and critique session with individual feedback on each participant’s work
- Workshop restricted to nine clients plus Colin and assistant
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 – Pickup and Tokavaig
Colin will meet you underneath the main display board in the arrival hall at Inverness Railway Station at 0830 on Wednesday. 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 evening services south. After the group has assembled, we will drive to the Eilein Iarmain Hotel where we check in and head out to Tokavaig and Dunscaith Castle. Dinner at Eilean Iarmin
Day 2 – Ord and Old Man of Storr
A 0500 rise to shoot sunrise on the Cuillin. The full ridge, including Blaven, rise in a panorama above Loch Eishort which creates great opportunities for capturing the dawn colours. We return for breakfast, after which our journey takes us northwards, to the Old Man of Storr, where we follow the path to the basalt pinnacles – a rise of 675m which overlooks Raasay and Torridon beyond. We descend and for an early dinner at Portree’s best fish restaurant, Sea Breezes, to allow us to be in position for a sunset.
Day 3 – Elgol and The Quiraing
Another 0500 start to capture the sunrise from Elgol. The headland and beach area offers endless photographic possibilities with views across Loch Scavaig towards the Cuillin ridge and Blaven. We return for breakfast and following a tutorial session, we depart for the Quiraing in north Skye stopping at a variety of locations, en route. Early dinner at Sea Breezes, Portree, which will allow us to position again for sunset.
Day 4 – Torridon and Loch Maree
Following breakfast, we will depart for Torridon where we will have the opportunity to photograph some of the most spectacular mountains in Scotland, including Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe. In the afternoon, we will drive to a location where Slioch rises from the north shore of Loch Maree, behind stands of ancient Scots pine. Dinner at Eilean Iarmin
Day 5 – Kintail and Glen Shiel
After checking out, we will drive to Kintail to photograph a wild and spectacular series of waterfalls on the River Shiel. The river, at this location, drops around thirty metres and has created deep pools overhung by rowan, hazel and willow trees. After lunch we will depart for Inverness at 1300 to facilitate an arrival at Inverness Station at 1500 where the workshop will conclude.
Accommodation & Food
Situated in a secluded bay with its own stone pier and views across the Sound of Sleat, to the Knoydart peninsula, the Eilean Iarmain Hotel is ideally located for photographic locations throughout Skye. All guests have private accommodation, with excellent en-suite facilities. Dinner is at the Birlinn Restaurant and Sea Breezes both of which have an excellent reputation for delicious food. Complimentary internet is available in the sitting room and bar area.
