SKYE HIGH IN SCOTLAND

 

》TRIP INFO

LOCATION: ISLE OF SKYE/THE HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND
DATES: OCTOBER 10-16, 2024
INSTRUCTORS:
DAVE BROSHA, PAUL ZIZKA, AND WAYNE SIMPSON*
PHOTOGRAPHY LEVELS:
ALL
PHYSICAL RATING: MODERATE
WHERE YOU’LL STAY: HOTEL
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 16
COST: $5,750 CAD
A payment plan is available for this workshop. See below.

 
 
 

The magical Isle of Skye. Castles. The Highlands. History. Incredibly rugged landscape and that famous dappled, magic light. Moorlands, mountains, lochs and glens.

Sky High in Scotland is an OFFBEAT photo tour based on the Isle of Skye, our base for most of the experience, with a stint in the northern Highlands, based out of Ullapool. This is truly a photographer’s playground you don’t want to miss!

Join Dave Brosha, Paul Zizka, and Wayne Simpson in the Scottish Highlands for seven days and six nights as they tour you through some of the most beautiful areas of western Scotland, mixing classic must-sees with off-the-beaten-track landscape gems, music, pubs and culture.

We hope you’ll join us for this photography tour in Scotland!

 
 
 
 

》YOUR OFFBEAT INSTRUCTORS*

DAVE BROSHA
Holding a passion for the world and an eye for the beauty it contains, Prince Edward Island-based, award-winning commercial, personal, and adventure photographer Dave Brosha is on a continual journey to seek out and capture the beauty of this world – whether it’s the beauty of some of the most extreme and pristine environments in the world or the beauty of some of a person’s most personal moments. In addition to living throughout northern Canada for much of his life, Dave has also lived in Asia and has travelled extensively through both the many provinces and territories of his native country and numerous countries abroad. An explorer at heart, his images – no matter what the genre – are full of heart and soul, and are a testament to the human spirit.

PAUL ZIZKA
Specializing in photographing in difficult conditions and hard-to-reach places, Paul has a passion for shooting alpine sports and backcountry experiences, capturing the spirit of adventurers and finding unusual angles of common mountain subjects. As a landscape photographer, he particularly enjoys the challenge of capturing nature’s beauty at night and the unique features that come with a dark sky – stars, Northern Lights and dramatic silhouettes. Paul’s award-winning photos have been featured in a variety of publications, including National Geographic, Maclean’s, Alpinist, Huffington Post, The Guardian, Islands, and Climbing magazine.

WAYNE SIMPSON // ASSISTANT
Based in Elora, Ontario, Wayne Simpson is a professional photographer who specializes in dramatic portraiture and landscape photography. His versatility as a photographer carries into his commercial work and event photography, making his style distinctive in the industry. As an educator, Simpson conducts portrait and landscape photography workshops throughout Canada, and is a proud contributor to OFFBEAT. Simpson’s images have been published in such magazines as Outdoor Photography Canada, Outdoor Photography Magazine, Canadian Rockies Annual and Canadian Geographic, as well as in countless books around the world. His first photography book, Resilient, was published in Spring 2021. [Bio photo: Mark Heine]

* As per our Terms and Conditions, OFFBEAT reserves the right to change, at any time, the tour leader of any workshop.

 

》INS AND OUTS

What’s Included:

  • Daily instruction/mentoring by Dave Brosha, Paul Zizka and Wayne Simpson

  • All accommodations from Oct 10 (check in) to Oct 16 (check out), price based on double (shared) accommodations. Single supplements are available for $500 CAD per person.

  • In-country transportation (we will pick people up in Inverness morning of October 10 at 10AM and drop people off by 12PM on October 16 back in Inverness.

  • All breakfasts

  • Finale dinner

What’s Not Included:

  • International Airfare

  • Lunches and all but finale dinner.

  • Personal effects or alcoholic beverages

  • Travel Insurance

  • Any weather-caused or COVID-related delays/extensions to stay

》ITINERARY

The itinerary is subject to change.

DAY ONE//

This outdoor photography tour will officially kick off in the beautiful Highland town of Inverness. Participants will be picked up between 1OAM and 11AM at their hotels (people must find their own way to Inverness prior to the workshop starting) and then, as a group, we will travel to Portree in the Isle of Skye which will be our incredible home base for most of the week. After settling in, we’ll spend the early afternoon with an official kick-off at the hotel, with a number of short talks and slideshows and an explanation of the full week’s plan. In late afternoon, we’ll start our week with a light chase and introduction to the stunning scenery around Portree.

In the evening, if conditions allow, the group will head out for a night/astro photography session. The next day will be a huge day, so the plan is for the group to get to bed by a decent time on day one in preparation for Day Two’s travels.

DAY TWO//

On the second day, the group will wake early and meet for breakfast. We’ll set off for the famous Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle for a morning photography session. Later in the afternoon, we’ll continue onwards to the rugged, magic Old Man of Storr. The group will spend the late afternoon right through to sunset hiking and exploring this remarkable location - one of the most dramatic in all of Scotland - before returning back to Portree for a late dinner.  If conditions allow, we will try for an astro session that evening.

DAY THREE//

On the third day, after our daily breakfast, we’ll set off once again to explore the Isle of Skye. Potential photography stops will include exploration of The Fairy Glen (and the Fairy Castle), the Glen Sligachan Falls, and Quiraing before sunset at the famous Neist Point, the most westerly point in Skye. Once again, if astro conditions permit, we will include a night session that evening.

DAY FOUR//

On our last full day on the Isle of Skye, we will return to the Quiraing which is one of the most incredible, picturesque areas of Skye and too impressive to fully explore in one single day. During this day we will dive into various workshop/learning opportunities, including a portrait demo, and various "human element" demos using the unique and spectacular Skye beauty as a backdrop.

DAY FIVE//

Our fifth day will be all about relocating to the Highlands. En route to Ullapool, we’ll make a stop at arguably the most beautiful castle in Scotland: Eilean Donan, a 13th-century structure near the village of Dornie. After an exploration of the shoreline around Eilean Donan, we’ll continue onwards to Ullapool, where we’ll stop for a pub lunch before heading out into the nearby countryside for an afternoon photography session.

DAY SIX//

This day will be all about exploring one of the areas of Scotland that’s most ignored by most tourists, but in our minds is one of the most beautiful - the northwestern Highlands. Heading north from the village of Ullapool, we’ll explore true Highland country, making numerous roadside stops (and dodging sheep) before coming to the area surrounding Ardvreck Castle, now a haunting collection of ruins sitting on the shores of Loch Assynt and set in stunning surroundings. The Calda House ruins are a short walk away, as are dramatic shoreline, sheep, waterfalls, and extreme beauty. Our group will spend most of the afternoon and early evening photographing this beautiful area before heading back to Ullapool for a finale dinner and evening together.

DAY SEVEN//

After a relaxing start to the morning, we’ll shuttle participants between 9AM and noon back to Inverness, where we’ll say our fond farewells.

WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT OFFBEAT WORKSHOPS

“I have attended a number of OFFBEAT Workshops and have loved them all. Dave and Paul are two of the most genuine people I have met and they are both so enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. They always ensure that you have the best time and are always willing to share their time and experience with you. My photography has definitely improved since learning from these two. I have also only meet decent and friendly people on these workshops. Everybody is there for the common goal - photography and everybody has such fun. I can not recommend Offbeat highly enough.”

— Claire C.

“I felt the level of collaboration and support among the participants in this one was exceptional and so was the size of the group. It is easier to hide in bigger groups when I feel insecure with my skills and talent. The content was timely, appropriate and exceedingly well organized. The facilitators’ presentation skills were exceptional. I came away with a little more confidence and a lot more knowledge. Thanks, Dave and Paul!!!”

-Jan L.

PRICE/PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Cost: $5750 CAD

Spousal/Partner Supplement fee available: $4500 (includes everything indicated in the list above except photography instruction). Please register with deposit only & contact Dave at sales@offbeatphoto.ca to adjust payment schedule.

Payment options: Full payment or $1250 CAD non-refundable deposit to secure a space with three further installment payments:

Non-Refundable Deposit: CAD $1250

Payment #2: CAD $1500 - July 2023
Payment #3: CAD $1500 - Jan 2024
Payment #4: CAD $1500- April 2024

Note: failure to pay by payment due date means forfeiting deposit and spot will be freed up and potentially sold to another interested participant (see more in cancellation policy below).

If unforeseen circumstances arise, participants are welcome to transfer/sell their space to another interested participant.

 》IMPORTANT INFO

Please visit our FAQs for more information on What to Bring, our Physical Ratings and Photography Levels.

IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR YOU?

Physical Rating

MODERATE

  • Hiking experience // Previous/regular hiking experience. Good physical condition.

    Pace // Steady.

    Distance/Description // Hikes may be a day hike with less <15km, with a significant elevation change (>300 m), and more rugged terrain. We’ll cover varying distances and terrain on generally established trails.

    Footwear // Hiking boots or light hiking shoes are appropriate.

    Photography Level (All): This workshop is open to both amateur and professional photographers.
    See these ratings described in our FAQs.

INSURANCE POLICY 

It is not only advised but required that participants have trip cancellation/interruption insurance, as well as emergency medical/illness insurance and rescue coverage (proof required within 4 months of departure).

Weather and other unforeseen factors can cause delays in travel, particularly from some of our more remote locations. It is the participant’s responsibility to cover any costs in the case of a travel delay of any length. Please ensure your trip cancellation/interruption insurance accommodates this possibility.

By purchasing a spot you are acknowledging that you accept these conditions.

Please see our Insurance page for more information about our insurance partner, World Nomads.

》OFFBEAT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Please take the time to review OFFBEAT’s Terms and Conditions, including our Cancellation Policies. You are required to agree to these in order to confirm your registration. Effective June 16, 2022.

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