Glencoe photography tours & workshops

Photograph the stunning highlands of Scotland

5-day Glencoe photography tour in winter

Join me for an unforgettable Glencoe photography tour in January. Designed to immerse you in one of Scotland’s most dramatic and inspiring landscapes, my carefully crafted photography workshop takes place during the winter months, when Glencoe reveals its most atmospheric and photogenic character. Snow-dusted peaks, moody skies, and ever-changing light create the perfect conditions for striking images.

My Glencoe photography tour is based in the charming village of Onich, located near the heart of the glen. This ideal location allows us quick and easy access to many of the region’s most iconic viewpoints, ensuring we can make the most of the best light at sunrise and sunset. From our comfortable hotel, we’ll venture out daily to explore and photograph the breathtaking scenery that makes Glencoe world-famous among landscape photographers.

Throughout the photo tour, you’ll capture the rugged beauty of Glencoe itself, with its towering mountains, winding valleys, and dramatic ridgelines, along with Rannoch Moor and the surrounding area. Winter brings a unique mood to the landscape, with mist rolling through the glen and frost adding texture and detail to every scene. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just starting out, this Glencoe photography tour offers countless opportunities to refine your skills while shooting in a truly spectacular environment.

In addition to Glencoe’s well-known locations, the photography tour also includes visits to some of Scotland’s most celebrated and photogenic sites. We will spend time photographing the vast, open expanse of Rannoch Moor, a place of wild beauty where lochans, grasses, and distant mountains create endless compositional possibilities. The ever-changing weather here ensures no two visits are the same, making it a highlight of any Glencoe photography tour.

Another iconic location we will visit is Castle Stalker, one of Scotland’s most picturesque castles. Set on a small tidal islet, this historic structure provides a stunning focal point for coastal compositions, especially during sunrise or sunset when the light reflects beautifully across the surrounding waters. Capturing Castle Stalker in winter conditions adds an extra layer of atmosphere, making it a must-see destination on this Glencoe photography tour.

Beyond these famous spots, the tour also takes you to a selection of lesser-known locations that are often overlooked but equally rewarding. These hidden gems offer unique perspectives and quieter shooting environments, allowing you to create images that stand out from the typical postcard views. Exploring these locations is a key part of what makes this Glencoe photography tour so special, giving you a deeper and more personal connection to the landscape.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll receive hands-on guidance tailored to your level of experience. Instruction will cover key aspects of landscape photography, including composition, exposure, use of filters such as ND filters and neutral density graduated filters, and working with natural light. You’ll also learn how to adapt to challenging weather conditions, an essential skill when photographing in the Scottish Highlands during winter. The goal is not only to help you capture stunning images during the tour but also to improve your overall approach to photography.

The pace of the tour is relaxed yet productive, ensuring plenty of time at each location to fully explore compositions and wait for the best light. The small group sizeof 5 people means you’ll benefit from personalised attention and support throughout the experience. This Glencoe photography tour is as much about learning and creativity as it is about enjoying the incredible scenery.

By the end of the tour, you’ll leave with a strong portfolio of images showcasing the beauty of Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, Castle Stalker, and the surrounding Highlands. More importantly, you’ll gain new skills, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for photographing wild landscapes in winter conditions.

If you’re looking for a truly immersive and rewarding photography experience, this Glencoe photography tour offers the perfect combination of iconic locations, hidden gems, expert guidance, and unforgettable scenery.

Nobody has ever said that winter landscape photography is anything other than challenging but this is not to say it can also be enjoyable and very rewarding. My trip to Glen Coe (January 2023) with Julian ticked all of these boxes. I think it is fair to say that the weather was appalling, constant rain, low cloud, snow limited to the peaks , no sunrises and meagre sunsets. For all that, Julian’s knowledge and understanding of the area, introduced us to some stunning locations where he was able to offer guidance on composition, lighting and other techniques to get the best out of the varied locations. Despite (or perhaps because of) the hardships, our group bonded well with each happy to share experiences and opportunities. So, thank you Julian, it was a difficult week photographically but for all that I did get some dramatic images and made some new friends.

Tour details

Basic information

Group size

Max 5

Duration

4 nights / 5 days

Price

€1695/ €250 dep

Fitness Level

Low to Medium

Our base

Onich Hotel in Glencoe

Photograph a Scottish winter wonderland

Scotland in winter is a magical place, and nowhere is the magic of the Scottish Highlands more visible than in Glencoe.

During January, the area around Glencoe will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Snow will be on the high peaks and with any luck will be on the ground around Rannoch Moor.

Our stay is based in the village of Ballachulish on the banks of Loch Leven. Double rooms are provided with breakfast.

Black Rock cottage on Rannoch Moor. Captured during the Scotland Isle of Skye and Glencoe photo tour and workshop in January.
Black Rock cottage on Rannoch Moor in the Scottish Highlands.
A hidden waterfall on Rannoch Moor and Buchaille Etive Mor. Captured during the Scotland Isle of Skye and Glencoe photo tour and workshop in January.
A hidden waterfall on Rannoch Moor and Buchaille Etive Mor.

A Typical Photo Tour Itinerary of Glencoe in winter

During January the average time of sunrise is 0850am whilst sunset is around 400pm. During our photo tour, we will have breakfast before heading out to catch the sunrise.

After sunrise, we continue until lunchtime either into the landscape or in woodland before breaking for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll head back out again this time concentrating on photographing the landscapes. The day will finish with sunset then we’ll head back to our base to eat dinner in the evening.

What will we photograph?

Highlights of the photo tour, other than the endless mountainous scenery, will be Rannoch Moor, Buchaille Etive Mor, Lochan na h-Achlaise and the Black Mount as well as other places such as Castle Stalker and possibly up to the Fort William area.

Lochan Na h-Achlaise reflecting the Black Mount. Captured during the Scotland Isle of Skye and Glencoe photo tour and workshop in January.
Lochan Na h-Achlaise reflecting the Black Mount.

Photography techniques covered during the workshop

  • Exposure and understanding of how to get the best out of the light
  • Composition techniques to create balanced images
  • Lens choice and focal length. Typically people head for the wide-angle in a landscape but up in the mountains telephoto lenses are also heavily used.
  • Panoramic photography. How to best compose the beautiful panoramas that we’ll see during the photography tour
  • Using Adobe Lightroom or Camera Raw to process our images
  • Using luminosity masks in Adobe Photoshop
  • Colour correction
  • Stitching panoramic images

Upcoming Glencoe Photography Tours

Scotland Isle of Skye & Glencoe Photography Tour | January 2027

Scotland Isle of Skye & Glencoe Photo Tour | January 2028

Get an insight into Glencoe