Join me for an unforgettable photography workshop on the Isle of Skye, where rugged landscapes meet the ever-changing light of Scotland's wild beauty. This workshop is designed for photographers of all levels who want to capture the raw, dramatic scenery that Skye is famous for — towering mountains, jagged coastlines, and tranquil lochs, all set against a backdrop of unpredictable skies. With expert guidance, you’ll refine your skills and techniques and learn how to turn every fleeting moment into a compelling image.

Connected to northwest Scotland's coast by a bridge, the Isle of Skye is known for its rugged beauty, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles ~ quite simply, a landscape photographer's paradise! Skye is also noted for the dramatic Trotternish Ridge, Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, and the Cuillin mountain range formed from volcanic magma chambers over sixty million years ago - all places we will photograph during the week. 

I will be on hand throughout each day offering advice on composition, and camera-craft as well as discussions on processing and presenting images in the evening.

Accommodation

Our accommodation is centrally based in Portree in a beautiful large, 5 bedroom house overlooking Loch Portree. During your stay you will have your own twin or double bedroom and my wife, and business partner, Gillian will provide nutritional homemade meals and beverages each day using the best organic ingredients and next to no processed foods where possible - all included in the price! Furthermore, as my wife organises all the catering to work around the group we are not restrained by hotel mealtimes ensuring we are in the right places at the right time!

Itinerary

For the next five days, you will be transported to numerous amazing locations around Skye - some well known and others a little less, where I will help you explore composition and technical skills in order to make successful landscape images. There will be opportunities for photography throughout the entire day due to the time of year and I will be on hand to answer any questions and issues you may be experiencing throughout. In times of particularly inclement weather or on some evenings, we will process some of your images using Adobe Lightroom Classic software using my laptop and large 27" screen where I will explain exactly how to get the best out of your images for added impact and drama.

As this workshop is limited to just 4 participants there will be plenty of time for one-to-one tuition and to discuss photography at whatever level you are - beginner or experienced amateur.

Locations

Locations we will visit include...

• The Old Man of Storr
• The Trotternish Ridge
• Fairy Pools
• Elgol
• Neist Point Lighthouse
• Fairy Glen (Stone Circles)
• Skye Bridge Viewpoint
• Talisker Bay
• Plus a variety of lesser known locations!

If time allows, we will also vist Eilean Donan Castle, which isn't on Skye but a lovely Castle to photograph and within a 1-hour drive of our accommodation.

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 200mm). 
• At least two camera batteries
• Sturdy 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 Scottish Highlands can be dynamic at times (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 challenging level of fitness with good balance is required for this workshop due to some rugged terrain and steep, long inclines. However, all locations have been carefully selected for their stunning views, safety, convenience, and ease of access. Please contact Mark to discuss further if necessary. 

Getting there

By Road

There is a good road network to Skye - but it would be wise to include, and allow for, an overnight stay en-route if you plan on traveling a long distance. 

By Rail

Due to its location, there is no direct route via train. However, a good compromise would be to take a train to either Inverness or Glasgow and then hire a car for the remaining journey (a beautiful scenic route)! Check train times now at https://www.thetrainline.com/ (Please note that I am unable to offer a collection and drop-off service due to other workshop commitments in the area afterwards).

By Plane

Glasgow and Inverness have airports that regularly runs services from other UK airports and abroad. From here you will need to hire a car for the remaining journey (a beautiful scenic route)! Check flight times now at https://www.invernessairport.co.uk/ or https://www.glasgowairport.com/ (Please note that I am unable to offer a collection and drop-off service due to other workshop commitments in the area afterwards).

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 paid 12 weeks before the course commences (20 weeks for overseas workshops).

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.