Isle of Skye Photography Retreat Partnership with Kinloch Lodge

Kinloch Lodge is steeped in history, and nestles on the shores of Loch na Dal in the quiet, beautiful south of Skye.

I am pleased to announce a partnership with my favourite hotel; I will be running Kinloch Lodge’s Skye Photography Retreat packages from Autumn 2025. This is something I have been working towards for years now and I could not wish for a better team to work with.

Nestled on the shore of Loch na Dal in south Skye, the renowned and much-awarded Kinloch Lodge is a luxury boutique hotel steeped in history, and complemented by amazing food. Their Sunday roast lunch is truly epic. There is no better way to supplement your photographic experience while you are in Skye. Unlike the large-scale photography workshops with which you might be familiar, this is a one-to-one personalised and discreet experience, tailored just to you.

Aside from the obvious benefits of staying in such a gorgeous hotel, the Lodge’s location offers quick access to many of the quieter and more unique photographic locations in the south of the island. I always prefer being on the ground with my camera instead of on the road driving, and the Sleat Peninsula and Torrin areas are rich in opportunities for the discerning photographer, all within easy reach.

Using my extensive knowledge of the area, I can guide you to beaches with striped black and yellow sand, ruined churches, an extremely well positioned lighthouse, fractured limestone pavements, lone trees, salt marshes, waterfalls, and mountain backdrops, among many others. Many of these locations feature in my books, Skye at Night and Glas.

Dunscaith Castle just after sunset under a vibrant aurora

Bookable directly with Kinloch Lodge, the Photography Retreat includes everything I offer in my bespoke guided photography experience, plus accommodation in one of the Lodge’s lovely rooms, evening editing sessions in the hotel bar, a delicious dinner each evening of your stay, a hearty breakfast each morning, and a packed lunch to keep you going during the day.

Before you arrive, I will schedule a video call with you to understand where you are on your photography journey and what you want to get out of your trip to Skye. I will use this information to plan a bespoke itinerary for you.

Each day we go out, I will pick you up from the Lodge in my Land Rover Defender and drop you back once we are done.

From the Lodge, we will visit an array of locations that offer a variety of compositional challenges, subjects, and an opportunity to try out many different photographic techniques. I will tailor the sessions to your experience, fitness level and adventurous spirit.

If you are staying for multiple days, we will most likely cover south Skye to begin with, and take the opportunity to travel north later in your stay, if you would like to do so. Typically, I avoid the “trophy spots” which tend to be teeming with photographers. However, if you would like that sunrise picture at the Old Man of Storr, I will get you there in good time.

Some of the best photography happens in dramatic weather

Skye’s weather is a force to be reckoned with; in my opinion it is one of the biggest photographic draws of Skye. Changeable at any given moment, a scene can be dramatically transformed in minutes. While this poses ample chances for a variety of shots even in a single location, you should prepare and pack accordingly. I will send you a packing list before your trip that covers the essentials; good walking boots, and waterproof trousers and jacket are a must.

I will always take the weather, tides, winds and sunrise and sunset timings into account when I plan your experience. I will be able to adjust that plan in real time as the weather unfolds, as it rarely follows the forecast.

Once we are back from our day out in the clean, fresh Skye air, I will spend time with you working through your images of the day. The bar at Kinloch Lodge is the ideal spot for a bit of editing, with many different whiskies lining the walls and a roaring fire to warm us up. I will help you to get the most out of your photographs with Adobe Lightroom, which I have been using since its very first release. It is always fascinating to see the end result, and if you are staying for multiple days, we will work on lessons learned from the first day to adjust and improve your technique.

If you love photography, enjoy amazing food and relish the comfort of a top quality hotel, you can now get it all in this package. Please contact Kinloch Lodge directly to enquire and book. I look forward to seeing you soon.