The Cairngorms, Scotland's second-largest national park, is a paradise for landscape photographers with its diverse woodlands, stunning lochs, and majestic mountains. It's one of the UK's best locations for autumn photography, offering vibrant colours and unmatched beauty.

Join us for this 5-day (6-nights) holistic photography workshop designed to immerse you in the breathtaking landscapes of the Cairngorms at the peak of autumn colour as well as learn how to process and print your images to gallery standards. We will explore the most picturesque woodlands and discover panoramic vistas over the Spey Valley and the Cairngorm mountain range, all without the need for strenuous mountain climbing. Misty valleys and dramatic scenery await your lens!

Scheduled for the middle of autumn, when the Cairngorms are at their most colourful, this workshop benefits from my extensive experience and intimate knowledge of the area. I will ensure that you are in the right place at the right time to capture the best of autumn's light and colour.

This workshop offers exceptional value, including breakfast, packed lunch, a three-course evening meal and transportation to all locations each day. You won't need to lift a finger other than to press the shutter of your camera! 

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your photography skills in one of the most stunning natural settings in the UK. This highly anticipated workshop will be popular, so book your spot now and prepare to capture the magic of the Cairngorms in autumn!

Tuition

I will be on hand throughout each day offering help and advice, tips and tricks, so you leave with a large variety of beautiful images and two large prints to look back on with fond memories. There will be guided sessions and personalised feedback each day to make sure you get the very best out of this wonderful location. I will also demonstrate the avantages of being a little more creative with the camera with techniques such as ICM (intentional camera movement), the Orton Effect (for a softer look) as well as bringing along a large range of creative Lensbaby lenses for you to try.

Printing Masterclass

On most evenings, we'll gather to process some of the images you've captured using my 27" computer. I'll demonstrate the techniques I use in Lightroom Classic to bring out the best in your photos, enhancing mood, atmosphere, and subtle details.

Additionally, I'll have my printer and a variety of quality papers on hand to show you how to create stunning A3 fine-art giclée prints with precision and consistency. By the end of the week, you'll have at least two of your favorite images professionally printed and beautifully presented in a large A3 portfolio book, which has space for additional prints you create in the future.

Autumn Images from the Cairngorms

Creative Cairngorms Images

Accommodation

We will be based in a fabulous and very large forest lodge set in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park allowing convenient access to all locations. You will have your own bedroom with full en-suite facilities. Evening meals will take place in the grand hall provided by an on-site catering team using fresh local produce. 

Itinerary.

You may arrive at the lodge any time after 3 pm on Sunday 19th October, 2025. At around 5 pm we'll gather in the large main lounge for introductions before tucking into a lovely evening meal using local ingredients prepared by two talented chefs.

A full itinerary will be discussed in detail in the introductions after checking the latest weather conditions to make sure we're in the right place at the right time.

We will depart after breakfast on Saturday 25th October, 2025. 

Please note that flights, travel and camera insurance are not included in the cost of this workshop.

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.
• Macro lens (ideal for fungi but optional)
• At least two camera batteries
• Tripod
• Hot-shoe spirit level (if your camera has a level indicator built-in that’s fine).
• Lens cloth
• Graduated filters (optional - you may borrow mine if needed)
• Polariser  (optional - you may borrow mine if needed)
• Long Exposure filters (e.g. 6 and/or 10-stop. Optional - you may borrow mine if needed)

Clothing

It can get cold in the Cairngorms at this time of year. You will therefore require...

• Plenty of insulating layers
• Hat
• Gloves
• Waterproof coat
• Waterproof over-trousers
• Walking boots/shoes
• A light and warm pair of wellingtons are very useful - Please refer to this article. 
• Foldable Umbrella

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

A moderate level of fitness and balance is required for this workshop.  However, all locations are chosen for their fine views and safety. All participants must heed safety advice at all times. Most locations are only a short walk from the vehicle.

Getting there

By Car

There is a very good road network to the Cairngorms. If you are travelling from the south of the UK it would be worth considering an overnight stay en-route. Exact location of the accommodation will be provided in the joining instructions sent nearer the time.

By Rail

Journey by rail is possibly the easiest and greenest way to arrive. There is a daily service to Aviemore via Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness. I am offering a free collection and drop-off service from Aviemore train station. Please get in touch to arrange nearer the time.

By Plane

The nearest airports are Inverness or Edinburgh, both of which offer a daily train service to Aviemore. I am offering a free collection and drop-off service from Aviemore train station. Please get in touch to arrange nearer the time.

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.