- Advanced
- Beginner
- Forsinard Lodge
- Intermediate
- Landscape
- Macro
- Moderate Fitness
- Outdoor Event
- Photography
- Special Price
- uktrips
- Wildlife
| Duration | 7 days (6 nights)
9th to 15th September 2023 23rd to 29th September 2023 7th to 13th October 2023 28th October to 3rd November 223 |
| Departure/Return Location | Forsinard lodge, Sutherland |
| Arrival Time | After 4pm |
| Departure Time | Before 10am |
| Group Size | 3 |
| Highlights |
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| Not Included |
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Every season can be wonderful in the remote and beautiful Scottish Highlands, but autumn has a special charm and character. With autumn colours, shortening days and cooler weather, the landscape is especially rich in photographic potential.
This trip is designed to photographically make the most of these opportunities in this beautiful and relatively un-discovered part of the Northern Highlands, specifically in the soft months of Autumn.
The area of the central Northern Highlands and more specifically the ‘Flow Country’ around Forsinard, is an extraordinarily wild and remote part of the UK. With a latitude equivalent to southern Norway, it is also a location renowned for its amazing ‘arctic’ like skies. Shorter days might even offer a chance for evening excursions and a chance of witnessing the amazing ‘Northern Lights’.
This autumn trip aims to make the very best of the photographic opportunities this area offers, with photography time spread throughout the day. With more limited hours of daylight, it is relatively easy, to capture sunrise and sunset scenes and daytime light can be softer than the proceeding summer. This should, not only provide super picture opportunities directly, but also creates a diverse setting for landscape and wildlife subjects too.
The very small group size of only 3 guests will enable the guides and tutors to really assist everyone individually, not only with technical, camera support but also with location advice and creative ideas. The diverse landscape and varied subjects will hopefully enable everyone to really try shooting with a broad range of techniques and styles in their images, particularly in such varied lighting conditions.
Each days’ itinerary will be flexible depending on the weather conditions, but the aim is to cover as wide a range of subjects as possible, making the most of our local knowledge of locations. The timings for the days will also vary, with some earlier starts and some sessions running into the evenings for sunsets, the ‘blue hour’ and night skies. We will also have time during the trip to sit and review images for those guests that want feedback and discuss alternative, creative ideas too.
Key subjects for the week should include:
Autumn landscapes: There are a huge range of landscapes accessible in the area with natural features like dramatic beaches, waterfalls and golden hills, as possible targets. The region is also rich in characterful man-made structures, including Iron Age Brochs and more recent croft houses and cottages with weathered exteriors, rich in colour and texture. We will also be looking for autumn colour and seasonal content to bring an extra element of interest to our images.
Nature: Autumn can be a great time for Red Deer with the possibility of rutting behaviour. It is also the season when Salmon are moving up the rivers to spawn. Various small birds are also possible at the lodge feeders. Autumn is also a great time for macro details, with Fungi, Mosses and Lichen.
Above all else, we want our welcoming, small group trips to be relaxing and creatively stimulating, providing the perfect combination of rest and enjoyment of the wonderful pastime of photography
Venue:
Our base for this trip is the beautifully situated location of Forsinard Lodge in northern Scotland. The building was originally built in 1870 by the Duke of Sutherland as a hunting & fishing lodge at the head of Strath Halladale. The river here was highly regarding for Salmon fishing and the surrounding area boasted Red Deer Stags of unusual size. The lodge has spent most of its life as part of a much wider estate, but now provides Wild Arena a perfect bast for photography in this beautiful and relatively undiscovered part of the highlands.
We also boast some amazing neighbours including our good friends at the RSPB reserve at Forsinard, who manage a vast area of diverse upland surrounding the lodge.
Our guests are accommodated in recently refurbished bedrooms within the Forsinard Lodge building. Each room has its own new, en-suite bathroom and are comfortably furnished for our visitors stay. Guests will also have use of a conservatory lounge where meals can be served, and the group can come together in the evenings.
Day 1: Arrival
(D)
Arrival at the expedition base at Forsinard Lodge for a relaxed, introductory briefing and welcome evening meal with your hosts
Day 2
(B,L,D)
After an early breakfast, we will head out as a group for our first full day of autumn photography. For this first day, the guide usually picks simple and slow paced subjects to gauge everyone’s requirements and allow guests to ‘settle-in’ to the pace of the coming week. Depending on the location and weather, packed lunches are normally taken to maximise the shooting time during the session. Subjects might include landscapes, waterfalls or seascapes. After returning to Forsinard we can freshen up before dinner and a chance to discuss the days photography. After dinner, there may also be an option for an evening session of night sky photography, depending on the weather conditions.
Day 3
(B,L,D)
An earlier start with a trip out in search of Red Deer for first light. After a couple of hours we usually return to the lodge for a later breakfast before heading out again for another shooting session. We will try and shoot through until sunset before heading back to the lodge for a later dinner.
Day 4
(B,L,D)
After a slightly later breakfast, we will head out for another full day of landscape, close-up and creative work. There may also be the chance to check an amazing spot for leaping Salmon if conditions are right. Depending on weather conditions we may aim to be in a good position for sunset images and the ‘blue hour’. Again, we will return to the lodge for an evening meal and a chance to relax and discuss our photography, After dinner, there may also be an option for an evening session of night sky photography, potentially using local landmarks as foreground detail.
Day 5
(B,L,D)
Another early start visiting a coastal location for sunrise and beach images. We will then make a longer drive to the west, picking up a number of great locations before returning to the lodge for dinner as normal.
Day 6
(B,L,D)
The final day of photography and a chance to fill-in any gaps from the previous days shooting. After arrival back at the lodge for mid-afternoon, guests are encouraged to share images from the week and discuss how their photography has developed over the previous 5 days. The day will conclude with a last group dinner. Again, after dinner, there may also be an option for an evening session of night sky photography.
Day 7
(B)
After a final breakfast, we will round up the week before guests depart for 10am.
Please note: – The itinerary is provisional and subject to change depending on local conditions. Not all wildlife mentioned can be seen well at all times of the year & some activities mentioned may not always be available.
Meals included are as shown – B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
2023 dates coming soon
How to Book
Please select your preferred date from the drop-down calendar icon on the right-hand side “Book Now’ tab and we will confirm if this is available and the timings available on that day. Please scroll through the months to find the highlighted available dates, then add your choice to the cart.
Tour Reviews
A wonderful 5 days of nature and wildlife photography in a beautiful part of Scotland.
An excellent itinerary which provided the opportunity to try out new subjects, techniques and skills.
Thank you to David and Janet for your good company, support and for passing on your vast photographic knowledge including useful hints and tips.
The accommodation is very comfortable and the catering excellent with great care taken to meet dietary requirements.
I will be back!
Had a wonderful time at the lodge, which is in a beautiful area of Scotland.
The accommodation was very comfortable and the catering was par excellence.
David and Janet were very helpful and passed on their vast knowledge to help me improve my own photography skills.
I will be going back next year to experience more of the stunning scenery and photographic opportunities.
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