Great Wilderness Trek
Key Information
Dates:
11 May - 15 May 2026
Duration:
5 days
Accomodation:
tents
Physicality:
Challenging
Group Size:
6 clients
Price:
£1000 (£500 Deposit)
This workshop is fully booked. Please sign up to the mailing list or email me.
What to Expect
This trip is a rare opportunity to experience a wild setting that few landscape photographers will ever visit. I spent almost four years photographing this area for my book "The Great Wilderness" and I know it intimately. I have also guided 7 groups into the area, so I have lots of experience juggling the itinerary around group needs and the weather. After a 2 year absence from the area after publishing, it's time to return in 2026!
The Great Wilderness is one of my favourite areas to photograph in Scotland. It combines two things that I love the most - remoteness and spectacular landscapes. During the trip we'll be camping high on summits for at least 2 nights, weather permitting. Our focus will be on A'Mhaighdean with its sweeping 360 degree summit views. This trip is 5 days and 4 nights long with 6 clients.
Itinerary
I won't be providing a specific itinerary for this trip it will be adapted to suit the weather and the progress of the group. We will almost certainly start and finish in Poolewe but aside from that we will take it as it comes. The photos you see are all highly representative of what we will hope to photograph, but with the exception of A'Mhaighdean, the summits we choose may be different!
One of Joe's images from an area we will probably camp in on the first night.
Tuition
I will be on hand at all times to offer whatever help and advice you require. Usually I find a mix of abilities on my trips which works very well with advanced photographers able to shoot with total freedom and beginners getting the necessary help. Whilst there is a lot to learn whilst actively taking photos, our time hiking will allow us to discuss many of the concepts that surround photography and it's these discussions that I personally now find the most beneficial. There will be just 6 clients and this should allow for plenty of 1-to-1 time.
Fitness And Experience
You do not need prior mountain experience for this trip however you must be mountain fit! You will need to be able to carry a 20kg backpack up a 1000m mountain and then repeat it. However, we will be taking our time and your ability to complete the hike is largely reliant on a good attitude and as well as the necessary baseline fitness! I have regularly taken clients in their 60s on these trips, there is no particular barrier if you are fit enough!
Equipment
A complete PDF kitlist is provided well in advance so you can be confident you have everything you need. I can provide high-end lightweight camping equipment perfectly suited for the trip. This includes Terra Nova Quasar tents (shared), Tarptent Scarp 1 tents (solo), Rab Neutrino 400 sleeping bags and NeoAir Xtherm sleeping mats. If however you would prefer to use your own sleeping kit, or bring your own tent then you are welcome to. Aside from camping equipment which is provided, you will need suitable outdoor clothing, walking boots a rucksack and a number of other items.
Meeting and Leaving
We will meet on Monday at Poolewe at 10.30am. I will be doing an early pickup (8.15 am) for anyone that requires it from Inverness. Those driving themselves might want to find accommodation the night before in Gairloch or Poolewe.
On Friday we walk out of the mountains and reach our cars at 2-3pm, the workshop concludes. I can offer lifts back to Inverness.
Additional Expenses
The trip does not include food, drink or personal insurance.
Price And Booking
This workshop is priced at £1000 with a £400 deposit required to book your place. The remaining £600 is due 2 months before the workshop starts.
This workshop is fully booked. Please sign up to the mailing list or drop me an email.
Mailing List Sign Up
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