Inspired Experience | A photographic road trip through the far north
Scotland has no shortage of famous photographic locations. But some of our favourite places are the ones you've probably never heard of.
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For this very special week, Brae Hunziker joins the Wild Arena team for a photographic adventure through the quieter corners of Scotland's far north.
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We'll travel from tiny harbours and old settlements to sweeping beaches, dramatic cliffs, historic villages and the vast landscapes of the Flow Country — with even a day trip across the Pentland Firth to Orkney.
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This isn't a tour of Scotland's photographic greatest hits.
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It's about taking the smaller roads, stopping when something catches our eye and discovering the places and stories that sit beyond the familiar viewpoints.
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And, with Brae joining us, film photography will naturally be a big part of the week.
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Brae's adventures with analogue photography have become known to photographers around the world through his hugely popular YouTube channel. He has spent time with us here in Scotland before, and we're delighted to welcome him back — this time to share the experience with just three Wild Arena guests.
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David and Janet both began their own photographic journeys long before digital cameras arrived and remain enthusiastic film photographers today, so expect plenty of conversations about cameras, films, exposure, mistakes, happy accidents and the particular magic of making photographs without immediately seeing the result.
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But you certainly don't have to shoot film.
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Digital photographers are every bit as welcome. Bring whichever camera makes you want to go out and make photographs — or bring both.
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With three guests, Brae, David and Janet, a Highland lodge to come home to each evening and eight days to explore, this should feel less like a conventional photography workshop and more like a small photographic road trip with friends.
What You'll Experience
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An exceptionally small group of just 3 guests
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Eight days exploring some of the lesser-known landscapes and communities of Scotland's far north
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Personal photographic guidance from Brae Hunziker and the Wild Arena team
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Plenty of support for both analogue and digital photography
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Time to slow down, explore and respond to places rather than rush between viewpoints
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Seven nights at our remote Highland home, Forsinard Lodge
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Full-board accommodation with home-cooked meals
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A photographic day trip to Orkney
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Wild Arena Learning Log and supporting notes
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Transfers from Edinburgh or Inverness by prior arrangement
Daily Itinerary Snapshot
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Day 1 — Journey north
Morning collection from Edinburgh and afternoon collection from Inverness, before travelling north to Forsinard Lodge. Settle in, meet the group and enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner.
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Day 2 — Wild north-west coast
A full day exploring dramatic cliffs, sweeping beaches and wide northern landscapes, with plenty of time to slow down and photograph what catches your eye.
Day 3 — Harbours & settlements
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Head north-east to photograph small harbours, old settlements and working communities, with a stronger emphasis on storytelling and documentary-style images.
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Day 4 — Dunrobin & history
Visit Dunrobin Castle and its surroundings, offering a different mix of architecture, interiors, gardens and detail photography.
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Day 5 — The Flow Country
Travel inland into the vast landscapes of the Flow Country, exploring lochs, peatland, old buildings, ruined crofts and quieter scenes.
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Day 6 — Orkney adventure
Take the ferry across to Orkney for a day photographing Stromness, its narrow streets, historic buildings and working harbour.
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Day 7 — Final day of photography
Stay closer to Forsinard and choose locations to suit the weather, light and interests that have developed during the week, followed by a final evening review.
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Day 8 — Breakfast & departure
Breakfast at Forsinard Lodge, followed by transfers back to Inverness and Edinburgh as arranged.
This is a flexible itinerary and locations may change depending on weather, light and the best photographic opportunities during the week.
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Download Full Itinerary PDF
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At a Glance
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Dates & Duration: 8 days (7 nights)
13 April 2027 and 21 April 2027
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Price: £2,349 (Members £2,299)
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Group Size: Max 3 guests
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Who is this week for:
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This is a wonderfully inclusive photographic week.
You don't need to be an expert and you certainly don't need to arrive with years of film photography behind you.
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If you're already an analogue photographer, there will be plenty of opportunity to develop your approach, compare ideas and learn from Brae, David and the other photographers around you.
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If you're relatively new to film, we'll help you become more confident with everything from exposure and metering to choosing film and getting the most from those precious frames.
And if you're happiest shooting digital, that's absolutely fine too. Many of the ideas we'll explore — composition, storytelling, observation, exposure and making more considered photographs — have nothing to do with what's inside your camera.
This week is really for photographers who enjoy exploring, learning and discovering somewhere new. If that sounds like you, you'll fit right in.
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What's Included:
- Full board en-suite accommodation at Forsinard Lodge (breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Private transport throughout the tour
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Transfers to/from Edinburgh Airport (by prior arrangement)
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Admission fees to planned locations
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Guidance and photographic tuition
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Learning notes
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What's not included:
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Photographic equipment (unless by prior arrangement)
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Film or processing​
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Alcoholic drinks
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Personal spending money
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Internation flights or other travel to Scotland
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Your Guide: Brae Hunziker & David Southard
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Ask us about future dates or 1-2-1's
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Your Stay
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You'll stay at hand picked hotels across the highlands
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What You Can Expect During Your Stay
For the week, Forsinard Lodge becomes your Highland home.
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Each guest has their own comfortable double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, desk and drinks facilities, while our conservatory lounge gives everyone somewhere to relax after a day outside.
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Built in 1870 by the Duke of Sutherland as a sporting lodge, Forsinard sits amongst the extraordinary landscapes of Scotland's far north, on the edge of the Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage Site and surrounded by protected nature reserve.
It's also a rather lovely place to spend a week talking about photography.
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Because everyone stays together, the photographic day doesn't really finish when we put the cameras away. Conversations continue over dinner. Someone remembers something they wanted to ask. Cameras appear on tables. Film stocks are compared. Images are discussed. Ideas for tomorrow emerge.
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That's a big part of the Wild Arena experience.
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Our residential weeks are deliberately relaxed and informal. We want Forsinard to feel less like a hotel and more like staying at the home of some rather photography-obsessed friends.
Creative
Photography is one of the ways we make sense of the places we visit.
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During the week we'll explore different ways of responding to what we find — from straightforward documentary photographs to more interpretive and personal images.
Sometimes that might mean a sweeping landscape.
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Sometimes it might be an old doorway, a harbour wall, somebody waiting for a ferry or a tiny detail that none of us noticed until one photographer stopped.
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There is no prescribed style and no photograph that everybody needs to make.
The interesting part is seeing what you notice.
Learning
We believe photography is something you never really finish learning.
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With such a tiny group, much of that learning happens naturally: standing beside someone while they make a photograph, comparing approaches, asking questions in the van or continuing a conversation over dinner.
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Brae, David and Janet will demonstrate their own approaches throughout the week, but we'll also learn from each other.
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Some of the ideas we're likely to explore include:
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Analogue photography basics and good working practices
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Getting the best from a limited number of frames
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Metering confidently and understanding exposure
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Thinking about who — and what — our photographs are for
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Using composition to help tell a story
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Documentary versus more interpretive approaches
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Colour versus black & white
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Choosing film for different situations and ideas
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Slowing down and making more considered photographs
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Sequencing and sharing photographic work
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Learning from the frames that didn't quite work as well as the ones that did
And because digital photographers are equally welcome, we'll explore how many of the habits encouraged by analogue photography can help us become more thoughtful photographers whatever camera we're carrying.
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Discover
Perhaps more than anything, this week is about discovery.
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Discovering Scotland beyond the familiar viewpoints.
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Discovering photography through the different ideas and approaches shared within a tiny group.
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Discovering analogue, whether it's already an old friend or something you're only just beginning to explore.
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And discovering what happens when you give yourself eight days, a camera and permission to simply be curious.
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We can't tell you exactly what photographs you'll come home with.
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That's rather the fun of it.
​If you do have any questions or would like further information then please just get in touch with us by calling 07734 107050 or email us on info@wildarena.com
