The Isles of Harris & Lewis are in fact one island, with Lewis to the North with its hard granite-like moonscape terrain amid a myriad of small lochans and dramatic and craggy coastline. To the south is Harris, with its sweeping turquoise shoreline and coral beaches of Luskentyre, Seilebost, Ushinish and others. This workshop will be based on the shoreline of beautiful Seilebost in a carefully selected large property overlooking Luskentyre beach and the Island of Taransay (famous for the TV series 'Castaway' with Ben Fogle).

I have been photographing Harris and Lewis for over a decade so I know it intimately. Checking the weather throughout the workshop, I'll make sure we're in the right place at the right time to get the best images! This workshop includes a cooked or continental breakfast (your choice), packed lunch and two course evening meal each day provided by my wife, Gillian. This gives us the flexibility to photograph whenever we like without the constraints of hotel mealtimes - particularly at sunrise and sunset.

On some evenings (or if we experience a particularly poor spell of weather), we will use the time to process some of your images taken on the workshop using Lightroom Classic on my computer and 27" monitor in the quiet surroundings of the property.

Join me

Be inspired by golden beaches, turquoise waters, dramatic shoreline cliffs, old ruins, ancient stones and endless rugged coastline! Whether you're an amateur seeking to refine your skills or a seasoned photographer looking for fresh inspiration, join me on these spectacular Islands and experience for yourself the sheer beauty of the Outer Hebrides.

Carefully Chosen Accommodation

I have carefully chosen a large and beautiful shoreline property based in Seilebost in arguably the most picturesque location on the Island and only minutes away from golden beaches ideal for sunrise or sunset. All bedrooms will either have ensuite facilities or private bathrooms, so there is no sharing between the group. Full details and joining instructions will be sent before the workshop. 

Fully Catered For

Although this is a self-catering properties, don't worry, you won't need to do any kitchen tasks! My wife and business partner, Gillian, will provide all meals at a time to suit our photography. Gillian will provide a cooked or continental breakfast (your choice), packed lunch and a 2-course evening meal with complementary drinks each day - all included in the price!

Itinerary.

You may arrive any time after 4 pm on the afternoon of Saturday 22nd March, 2025 where we'll meet in the lounge for drinks at around 6 pm to discuss in detail the format of the workshop and to answer any questions you may have. A more detailed itinerary will be shared after I have checked the weather forecast for the coming days. An evening meal and drinks will be served at around 7.00 pm. For the next five days, you will be transported to numerous locations around the area by me, where we will discuss composition and technical skills to meet your expected goals. There will be opportunities for photography throughout the entire day due to the soft, warm light at this time of year. I will be on hand throughout each session offering tuition, advice and help with any technical issues. The workshop will come to a close after breakfast on Friday 28th March, 2025. 

Camera Equipment

Here is a list of recommended equipment you should bring…

• Camera body and a selection of lenses that ideally cover wide-angle to medium telephoto (for instance 25mm to 100mm). 
• At least two camera batteries
• Tripod
• Hot-shoe spirit level (if your camera has a level indicator built-in that’s fine).
• A small set of hard graduated filters (please contact Mark if you need further help on which filters to bring).
• Lens cloth

Clothing

The weather in the Outer Hebrides at this time of year is mixed (which is why it’s so good for landscape photography). Therefore, it’s important to be equipped with the correct clothing. 

• Plenty of layers to keep warm
• Hat
• Gloves
• Waterproof coat
• Waterproof trousers
• Walking wellingtons and/or boots
• Umbrella

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

A moderate level of fitness is required for this workshop - but all locations have been carefully selected for their stunning views, safety, convenience and ease of access.

Getting there

By Road

There is a good road network to Uig ferry terminal on Skye with a ferry crossing time of around 1h:40m or the ferry terminal in Ullapool with a ferry crossing time of just under 3 hours. It would be wise to include, and allow for, an overnight stay en-route if you plan on travelling from the south of the UK. 

By Rail

The nearest train station is Inverness. From there, you will need to hire a car to drive to Ullapool ferry terminal (just over an hour's drive). After the ferry arrives into Stornoway (just under 3 hours) there is a drive of around 1h:20mins to the accommodation. Check train times now at https://www.thetrainline.com/

By Plane

Stornoway has an airport which regularly runs services from other UK airports such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. I am offering transport from Stornoway airport to the accommodation on 22nd March by prior arrangement. I will also drop you back off at the airport on Friday 28th March. Please contact me before booking your flight to discuss exact timings first. Check flight times now at Stornoway airport.

Payment must be made in full when booking a single day workshop (you will be sent an invoice). For residential workshops, a deposit of £500 is required (unless otherwise stated) and the balance is payable 12 weeks before the course commences.

The balance of the cost of the workshop will be due 12 weeks before the workshop starts. If a booking is made less than 12 weeks prior to the beginning of the workshop, the full cost is payable at the time of booking.

If you, the client, cancel a booking any money you have paid (including the deposit) is non-refundable unless I can find a replacement to take your place after all other places have been filled. If a replacement is found an admin fee of £100 will be deducted from the refund. If I cancel a booking any payment received will be refunded in full. Please ensure that you have adequate travel insurance in place. It is a term of the contract between us that you will obtain the appropriate travel insurance cover before you set out on the workshop. The insurance must cover the loss, expenses and damages arising from, including but not limited to, the cancellation of the workshop (whether in whole or in part), personal accident and injury, medical and repatriation costs, loss of baggage and personal money and belongings, flight cancellations and delays as well as your inability to arrive at the workshop destination due to fuel shortages and other such disruptions out of my control.

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, I regret I cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of my obligations under my contract with you is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of “force majeure”. In these booking conditions, “force majeure” means any event which I or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include, (whether actual or threatened), war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, epidemics/pandemics, fuel shortages and all similar events outside my control.

Please note, I cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to me by you concerning your booking prior to me accepting it, I could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if I breached the contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by myself where I am responsible for them, my suppliers. Additionally, I cannot accept liability for any business losses.

You will be allocated either a single room or a double/twin room for single occupancy. There is no single occupancy surcharge. Where double or twin rooms are available, they will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of check-in.

Mark Banks Photography reserves the right to cancel any workshop. In the event of any cancellation, I will offer either a total refund or a place on an alternative workshop. If the alternative workshop is cheaper, I will refund the difference, and if it is more expensive, you will be required to pay the balance.

All applicants participate at their own risk and Mark Banks Photography accepts no responsibility for injury or damage done to their persons or property. It is recommended that applicants hold their own personal Public Liability Insurance.

The type of workshops I offer require flexibility and must allow for alternatives. For this reason, the outline itinerary and workshop description must be taken as an indication of what may take place on the workshop, and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Mark Banks Photography.

I do not accept responsibility or liability for death, bodily injury or illness caused to you during the workshop, unless arising from the negligent act and/or omission on my part or on the part of any of my employees (providing they were at the time acting within the course of their employment). Please note that any itinerary noted on the workshop description is subject to change due to weather conditions and/or the capability of participants.

By booking a workshop with Mark Banks Photography you are agreeing to accept all of the above conditions.