Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshops
Half Day - Full Day - Multi-Day
(Late April till Late July)
Caithness and Sutherland - Lunga and the Treshnish Isles - Isle of May - Handa Island - The Orkney Islands - The Shetland Isles - The Outer Hebrides
I offer half, 1, 2 and 3-day Bespoke Wildlife & Nature Photography Workshops for small groups covering the Highlands & Islands of Scotland. Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) which means “little brother of the north” are one of our most iconic seabirds, and spend most of their lives out at sea. When it comes to seeing and photographing Puffins in Scotland, timing is key, Puffins start to venture ashore from mid April until early August, but bear in mind Puffins are seasonal visitors, it's therefore essential to plan your visit within this timeframe, to witness these charismatic Summer visitors.
These Workshops will primarly run on Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles, on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, allowing us upto 4 hours on this Magical Island. Throughout the season, Puffin Photography Workshops can also be run at other locations, please get in touch, if you wish to discuss. Lunga is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area of Conservation, both of which afford it a high level of protection. it is now owned and managed by the National Trust of Scotland. This trip will also cruise round Staffa to view Fingal’s Cave and it’s famous hexagonal rock columns, formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions.
These Workshops are aimed at most levels of photography experience, with a particular emphasis on Puffin portraits, behaviour and flight shots, together with tracking and panning techniques suited for birds in flight photography. In addition to the Puffins, we will also have the opportunity to photograph a vast array of other seabirds icluding Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Shags, Artic Skuas, Great Skuas, Linnets, Pipits and Wheatears. You might also be lucky and spot the elusive Water Rail or the very secretive Corncrakes that breed on the island, during the Summer Months. From April until early June, Lunga is carpeted with Scottish Bluebells, allowing opportunities to photograph Puffins with vibrant violet/blue colours. Beginners are also welcome to join this workshop.
Want to spend more time on Lunga? A Photography Special can also be arranged, this allows up to 6 hours on the Island, and is primarily aimed at dedicated photographers wishing for a more unique and personal experience, making the most of the late afternoon - early evening light. These trips require 4 to 6 people, and are run on a per demand basis, with the tour boat operator. For more details, please get in touch.
Overview
Purpose: Practical, field‑based tuition tailored to your experience and photographic goals. Each workshop focuses on improving technical skills, observational techniques and ethical wildlife practices while producing stronger images.
Group size: Small groups (typically 1–4 participants) to ensure individual attention and flexibility. For larger groups please contact me to discuss.
Locations: The Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Format: Mix of guided field sessions, on‑location tuition, critique and image review. Editing, workflow and post‑processing guidance.
What’s included
Full professional tuition and guidance throughout the session.
Pre‑workshop briefing with advice on kit, clothing and expected subjects.
Site selection and local logistics planning.
On‑site guidance in camera technique, approach, composition and wildlife ethics.
Group image review sessions. For multi‑day workshops, post‑processing demonstrations and workflow tips.
Itinerary
Meet at 9.30am at Ulva Ferry, On the Isle of Mull, Introductions and Q & A session before boarding the boat.
We’ll board the boat just before 10am and start the sea crossing to Lunga.
Depending on tide times, weather etc, the boat will either head south, into Loch Na Keal, then West, out to Staffa, before heading out to Lunga. Or the other option will be to the Northwest, into Loch Tuath, past the Carnburgs and Fladda and onto Lunga.
On arrival to Lunga, the crew will attach a floating pontoon, to the side of the boat, and then push it onto the shoreline, allowing us to disembark the boat.
After a short walk over rough, bouldery ground, we head up a steep track. We then arrive at the main area for viewing Puffins, as well as other Seabirds. We can stay at this location, or take the narrow path out towards Harp Rock, a 20 meter high sea stack, separated from the main Island by a very deep chasm. During the breeding season, Harp Rock is filled with spectacular numbers of Guillemots, Razorbills, Shags and Kittiwakes. There’s lots to see on the Island, however we’ll aim to spend the majority of our time working with the stars of the show, the Puffins.
After 4 hours (6 hours on the Photo Special) we return back to the landing area for the return journey. We’ll now complete a circular route, back to Ulva Ferry. Enroute is always a great time to hopefully spot Common and Atlantic Grey Seals, we might be lucky to spot Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises, or an Eagle soaring in the sky.
We should arrive back in Ulva Ferry for 17.15pm, after a dose of Puffin Therapy.
What to bring
DSLR, Mirrorless or Bridge Camera.
A 300-500mm lens, a wide angle or standard zoom lens is also highly recommended.
A tripod or beanbag, this will be down to individual preference.
Spare batteries, memory cards and weather protection for your camera equipment.
Outdoor clothing with spare warm clothing, waterproof clothing is essential, suitable outdoor footwear.
Packed lunch and drinks.
What’s not included
Accommodation.
Photograpic Equipment.
Personal/Travel Insurance.
Transport to location.
Packed lunch and drinks.
Pricing - Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshops - (Late April - Late July)
Minimum 2 participants @ £150 per person, per day.
3 to 4 participants @ £125 per person, per day.
For 1 to 1 guiding, please get in touch.
Consecutive days may be available, itinerary and price to be agreed.
A non-refundable deposit of £50 per person must be paid at time of booking.
Balance to be paid in full, 4 weeks before your workshop.
For Guiding outwith my local area, additional costs may apply for mileage, ferries and accomadation.
For workshops involving boat trips, it’s advised to book these in advance to guarantee a place. Boat operators can cancel trips at short notice, due to for example adverse weather, mechanical issues etc, in which case I will offer an alternative date or workshop.
Photography Special
For more details, availiability and price, please get in touch.
Ethics and conservation
Ian promotes responsible wildlife photography: minimise disturbance, follow local guidelines, and prioritise animal welfare. Instruction includes ethical field practices and how to make images without compromising habitats or behaviour.
If you would like to discuss dates, objectives or receive a sample itinerary for a 1, 2 and 3 day workshop, please get in touch with details of your experience level and photographic goals.
Booking and customisation
Workshops are bespoke and can be tailored to specific species, techniques or learning outcomes. Specialist requests (e.g. hide use, night photography) can be arranged where local conditions allow.
Dates are arranged to match seasonal wildlife activity; Ian will advise the best time for your chosen subject.
Contact to check availability, discuss objectives and confirm logistics.
