It’s no surprise to those who visit Scotland that it repeatedly gets nominated as the best place in the UK for landscape photography. Glen Affric lies due west of Inverness and has a wealth of mixed woodland along its length. The hidden gems of Glen Affric, Glen Cannich and Glen Strathfarrar, explode with colour in autumn and, due to being less well-known, they offer landscape photographers a chance to make images that are very likely to be more unique. Soft mist is also highly likely at this time of year and tends to linger all day on occasions. Prepare to be punch-drunk on colour!

Itinerary.

This workshop is a response to those who find woodland photography difficult to make sense of. Literally 'seeing the woods for the trees' can be daunting and frustrating at times, so I will be on hand to discuss and advise you throughout each day - offering tips, solutions and the many techniques that can be adopted in such locations.  Therefore, this workshop is limited to just 4 participants, allowing maximum tuition time. We will be based in a hotel at the head of Glen Affric - conveniently situated for all the aforementioned Glens. Of course, there will also be opportunities for bigger vistas as well as macro detail as there's a lot of great fungi to photograph. If conditions allow, we may even visit nearby Cromarty for a change of scenery to take in and photograph the many oil rigs in the loch.

The price of this workshop includes hotel accommodation and all meals - including a packed lunch whilst out on location! You will arrive at the hotel on Sunday 20th October 2024 for introductory drinks and an evening meal. 

For the next five days, you will be transported to numerous locations around the area where I will be on hand throughout the day offering tuition. There will also be time for processing some of your images with me (or when the weather is particularly inclement) using my 27" screen and Adobe Lightroom Classic software.

As this workshop is limited to just 4 participants, there will be plenty of time for 1-2-1 tuition and to discuss photography at whatever level you are - beginner or experienced amateur.

You will check out on the morning of Saturday 26th October 2024 after breakfast.

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. 
• At least two camera batteries
• Tripod
• Lens cloth

You may also bring with you a laptop computer for processing images taken during the workshop with guidance from Mark. This is optional as Mark will process some of your images via his laptop onto a 27" screen for larger group viewing.

Clothing 

• Plenty of layers to keep warm
• Hat
• Gloves
• Waterproof coat and over-trousers (essential)
• 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 Glen Affric - but it would be wise to include, and allow for, an overnight stay en-route if you plan on travelling a long distance. 

By Rail

The nearest train station is at Inverness. I am offering free transport from Inverness train station to the hotel in Glen Affric on the afternoon of Sunday 20th October. Of course, l'll also drop you back off at the station on the morning of Saturday 26th October. Check train times now at https://www.thetrainline.com/

By Plane

Inverness has an airport which regularly runs services from other UK airports and abroad. I can offer free transport from Inverness airport to the hotel in Glen Affric on the afternoon of Sunday 20th October. Of course, l'll drop you off back at the airport on the morning of Saturday 26th October. Check flight times now at https://www.invernessairport.co.uk/

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.