A puffin spreading its wings on a rocky ledge overlooking the ocean with small islands and sailboats in the distance under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Bespoke Spring and Summer Guiding (March - August)

A baby otter on rocks in water holding a crab in its mouth.

The Cairngorms National Park - The Highlands - Isle of Skye - Isle of Mull - The Outer Hebrides - Orkney Islands.

I offer 1, 2 and 3-day Bespoke Wildlife & Nature Photography Workshops for small groups covering the Highlands & Islands of Scotland. Spring and Summer mark a period of intense activity in the natural world, every month as the seasons change, what we see in nature changes too. Spring is full of wonder and optimism, the days are getting longer and warmer and nature is bursting with activity, with many species gearing up for a new breeding season.

During Summer wildlife reaches its peak. In June, we welcome in the first days of Summer and embrace evening light that stretches into late hours. As the weather begins to warm, we’re offered a glimpse into the private lives of our pelagic birds as they return to breed on our sea cliffs.

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 1–3 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 as required.

Close-up of a puffin with wings spread, facing forward with its beak slightly open, set against a blurred background.

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.

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.

  • Laptop for image review (recommended for multi‑day workshops).

Logo for Ian Herd Wildlife & Nature Photography featuring a stylized puffin bird perched above the text
Close-up of a wet otter's face with detailed fur and whiskers, looking to the right, on a background of blurry water and pebbles.

What’s not included

  • Accommodation

  • Photograpic Equipment

  • Personal/Travel Insurance

  • Transport

  • Packed Lunch and Drinks

Pricing - Bespoke Spring & Summer Guiding - (March - August)

One to One Guiding £220 Per Day

Group Price Per Day @ £150 Per Person

For groups larger than 3 or multi-days please get in touch for availability and price.

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.

The above costs are for my time, tuition and guidance only, additional costs may apply for food and drink, and any private hides or entrance fees.

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.

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.

Make an Enquiry
Make a Booking
A flying puffin bird over water with a blurred background of sunlight reflecting on the surface.
Close-up of a deer with antlers in a natural outdoor setting.
Close-up of a Northern Gannet bird's face, showing its blue eye and sharp beak.
Close-up of a wet otter with a background of seaweed.
A large bird of prey, possibly an eagle, in flight with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
A deer with large antlers peeking through green foliage.
A puffin bird holding small fish in its beak with a background of blurred flowers and green foliage.
Otters in water with seaweed, one holding a fish in its mouth
A dolphin jumping out of the water, creating a splash, in the ocean.
A puffin with its mouth open, showing its colorful beak and white and black feathers.
A brown bird flying mid-air against a blurred background.
A bird with dark feathers emerging from a body of water, creating splashes as it lifts itself out.
A brown bird with its beak open, perched among green grass and purple flowers in a natural habitat.
A woodpecker standing on the ground, holding a small branch with green foliage in its beak, with a blurred natural background.
A bird perched on a wire with a small creature in its beak.