Scotland Photo Tour Itinerary - July 28th to August 10, 2027

Day One: Wednesday July 28, 2027  Folk meeting in the London region we will meet at London Airport for our early afternoon coach departure to Pearson Airport. GTA and connecting guests will me at Pearson Airport. Our flight to Scotland via Air Canada departing 7:50 p.m. arriving  into Edinburgh, Scotland the following morning at 7:20 a.m.

Day Two: Thursday July 29, 2027  Welcome to Scotland ... after clearning customs we will meet our local guid and motor coach and travel to Glasgow. Edinburgh to Stirling — Gateway to the Highlands: Our Scottish adventure begins in Edinburgh, we will travel west toward Stirling, a town often called the gateway to the Highlands. As the cityscape gives way to rolling countryside, you'll get your first glimpse of the dramatic landscapes that define this part of Scotland, definitely a photographers paradise.

The morning's centerpiece is Stirling Castle, one of the grandest and most historically significant castles in the country. Perched atop an ancient volcanic crag, the castle has witnessed centuries of royal history, including the childhood of Mary, Queen of Scots. Wander through the restored Renaissance palace, the Great Hall, and the castle grounds while taking in sweeping views over the Forth Valley.

After lunch we will continue with a guided city tour, exploring the cobbled streets of the Old Town, the Church of the Holy Rude, and taking in views of the iconic Wallace Monument, a tribute to the Scottish hero William Wallace. Stirling's compact old town is rich with medieval character, offering a real sense of Scotland's turbulent and storied past.

Late afternoon we will check into the Stirling Highland Hotel, a beautifully converted former grammar school that blends historic charm with modern comfort. Nestled near the castle, it's the perfect place to relax and reflect on a day steeped in Scottish history. Overnight The Stirling Highland Hotel. (B)

Day Three: Friday July 30, 2027 Loch Lomond, Inveraray Castle & On to Oban Breakfast, and check out from our hotel. Our day begins with one of Scotland's most scenic experiences: a morning cruise on Loch Lomond, the largest loch in the country by surface area. Gliding across its glassy waters, photograph views of wooded islands and the surrounding peaks, including the famous "bonnie banks" celebrated in Scottish song. It's a peaceful, atmospheric start to the day and a perfect introduction to the wild beauty of the western Highlands.

From the loch, we will continue west through increasingly dramatic scenery toward Argyll, stopping along the way to visit Inveraray Castle, the storybook seat of the Duke of Argyll and Clan Campbell. With its fairy-tale turrets and richly decorated interiors, the castle offers a fascinating look into Scottish aristocratic life, set against the backdrop of Loch Fyne. Some episodes from Downton Abby were shot at this location.

The journey then carries on to Oban, a charming harbor town on Scotland's west coast, often called the "Gateway to the Isles." Known for its seafood, whisky distillery, and views out toward Mull and the Inner Hebrides, Oban is a wonderful base for the next stage of our trip. We will settle in for a two-night stay at the Oban Bay Hotel, ideally positioned along the waterfront, giving us time to relax, photograph and explore the town. Three nights Oban Bay Hotel (B) (D)

Day Four: Saturday July 31, 2027 Day Four: Isle of Mull — Iona Abbey & Duart Castle Breakfast at our hotel. This morning we will board the ferry from Oban to Craignure on the Isle of Mull, a short crossing that offers early photo opportunities as Oban's harbor recedes and Mull's rugged coastline comes into view. Keep your camera ready — this stretch of water is known for sightings of seabirds, seals, and, if you're lucky, dolphins or porpoises.

Once on Mull, today's journey is tailored for photographers, with Photo Tour Trekkers guiding you toward some of the region's most captivating light and landscapes. The first stop is the Isle of Iona, a small, sacred island reached by a further short ferry crossing. Here we will visit the historic Iona Abbey, one of the most important religious sites in Scotland and the birthplace of Celtic Christianity. The abbey's weathered stone, ancient crosses, and dramatic island setting — framed by turquoise waters and white sand beaches — make it a striking subject for both architectural and landscape photography.

Back on Mull, the day continues with a visit to Duart Castle, the ancestral seat of Clan Maclean, perched dramatically on a rocky promontory overlooking the Sound of Mull. With its commanding position and sweeping coastal views, the castle offers rich opportunities to capture both grand wide shots and fine architectural detail, especially as the changing light plays across the water. Throughout the day, ywe will offer tips on composition, lighting, and technique, helping you make the most of Mull's dramatic scenery, historic sites, and ever-changing coastal light. Overnight Oban Bay Hotel. (B)

Day Five: Sunday August 01, 2027 Breakfast - Dunollie Castle, Castle Stalker & McCaig's Tower Breakfast, Today's photography keeps us close to Oban, exploring a trio of striking sites that showcase the region's history and coastal beauty.

The day begins with a visit to Dunollie Castle and Grounds, a ruined stronghold perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking Oban Bay. Once the seat of Clan MacDougall, the castle's weathered ruins and wild, overgrown grounds offer atmospheric photo opportunities, with sweeping views across the bay toward Mull and the surrounding islands.

From there, you'll travel to one of Scotland's most photographed landmarks: Castle Stalker, a small, picturesque tower house standing on its own tidal islet in Loch Laich. Best known for its starring role in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the castle's isolated setting, framed by mountains and water, makes it an iconic and highly rewarding subject, especially in shifting Highland light.

The day rounds out back in Oban with a visit to McCaig's Tower, a striking Colosseum-like monument standing high above the town. Built in the late 19th century, the tower offers panoramic views over Oban Bay, the harbor, and out toward the islands — a fitting spot to capture the town from above as the light softens into evening. We will continue refining our composition and use light against some of the west coast's most dramatic and historic backdrops. Oben Bay Hotel. (B)

Day Six: Monday August 02, 2027 Glencoe, Glenfinnan Monument & The Jacobite Steam Train Breakfast Today's journey takes us deeper into the dramatic heart of the Highlands, beginning with a passage through Glencoe, one of Scotland's most breathtaking and haunting glens. Towering peaks, steep-sided valleys, and ever-changing weather make Glencoe a photographer's dream, as well as a place steeped in tragic history from the 1692 massacre. Expect stops along the way to capture the glen's raw, moody grandeur.

From Glencoe, we will continue north to Glenfinnan, where the striking Glenfinnan Monument stands at the head of Loch Shiel, commemorating the raising of Bonnie Prince Charlie's standard in 1745. Its lochside setting, ringed by mountains, offers a beautifully composed subject against the shifting Highland light.

The highlight of the day awaits at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, one of the most photographed railway structures in the world. Here you'll have the chance to photograph the Jacobite steam train, made famous for its appearances in films like Harry Potter, as it crosses the soaring 21-arch viaduct — a truly iconic Highland shot combining engineering and landscape.

We will then travel on to Fort William, nestled beneath Ben Nevis, and check into the Clan MacDuff Hotel for our next two-nights. We have more exploration of the surrounding Highland scenery. Two nights Clan MacDuff Hotel. (B)

Day Seven: Tuesday August 03 2027 Eilean Donan Castle, the Fairy Pools & Portree, Isle of Skye Brekfast each morning. Over the next two days, our photography journey heads into one of Scotland's most iconic and photogenic regions — the Isle of Skye — with a stop along the way at one of the country's most beloved landmarks.

Day Seven begins with a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, arguably the most photographed castle in Scotland. Set on its own small island at the meeting point of three sea lochs — Loch Duich, Loch Long, and Loch Alsh — and connected to the mainland by a graceful stone footbridge, the castle is a masterclass in composition, especially with its reflection captured in still water or framed by dramatic Highland light.

Continuing on to the Isle of Skye, you'll make your way to the Fairy Pools, located near Carbost in Glenbrittle. This otherworldly series of crystal-clear cascades and pools sits beneath the jagged peaks of the Cuillin mountains, offering endless opportunities to photograph vivid blue-green waters against a rugged, dramatic backdrop — one of Skye's most rewarding and memorable locations for photographers.

We continue with our exploration of Skye with a visit to Portree, the island's colorful harbour capital. Known for its picturesque row of brightly painted waterfront buildings, fishing boats, and backdrop of surrounding hills, Portree offers a charming and vibrant contrast to the wild landscapes explored the day before — a perfect setting for both harbor scenes and street-level shots. Overnight Clan MacDuff Hotel. (B)

Day Eight: Wednesday August 04, 2027 Loch Ness Cruise, Urquhart Castle & On to Inverness Breakfast. Today's journey follows in the footsteps of royalty with a morning cruise aboard the Jacobite Loch Ness, a two-hour voyage tracing the famous Caledonian Canal, engineered by the legendary Thomas Telford. This same route was once travelled by Queen Victoria herself, and today you'll enjoy that same storied passage, with the tranquil waters of Loch Ness stretching out before us. Camera ready just incase Nessie (the Loch Ness Monster) decides to pay us a visit! Along the way, views of Aldourie Castle, a striking turreted lochside residence, and the charming Bona Lighthouse, Scotland's smallest lighthouse, marking the narrow passage between Loch Dochfour and Loch Ness.

We will continue to Urquhart Castle, one of the most dramatic and iconic ruins in the Highlands. Perched on the loch's shore with sweeping views across the water, the castle's crumbling towers and walls make it a compelling subject, rich with atmosphere and centuries of turbulent history — including sieges, clan conflict, and, of course, the enduring legend of the Loch Ness Monster. We will then travel on to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, where we will check into the Marriott Inverness Hotel for thenext  two nights. Marriott Inverness Hotel. (B)

Day Nine: Thursday August 05, 2027 Photography in the Cairngorms National Park Breakfast The Cairngorms, Britain's largest national park, offers an incredible range of landscapes and subjects for photography — from ancient Caledonian pine forest to high mountain plateaus and glassy lochs. We will spend a day with nature exploring the park. Sceens like the sandy loch shore backed by Cairngorm peaks and Caledonian pine forest; excellent for reflections and woodland light and the Cairngorm Mountain Railway/Funicular – Rides up toward the summit plateau for sweeping panoramic views over the range as our Scotland adventure continues. Overnight Marriott Inverness Hotel. (B)

Day Ten: Friday August 06, 2027 Glenfiddich Distillery, the Spey River & Coastal Fishing Villages Breakfast. Today's journey follows Speyside's famous Whisky Trail, beginning with a visit to Glenfiddich Distillery, one of the world's most iconic single malt producers. Set against the rolling hills of Speyside, the distillery offers striking subjects both inside and out — from traditional copper stills and warehouse rows of oak casks to the surrounding glens that have shaped whisky-making here for generations. This region draws its character from the River Spey, renowned for its clear spring waters, which you'll have the chance to photograph as it winds through the surrounding countryside.

From the distilleries, the day continues toward Scotland's northeast coast, where a string of historic fishing villages offers a completely different photographic mood — working harbors, weathered stone cottages, and fishing boats bobbing against the cold northern sea. A highlight of the day is a visit to Buckie, (James' family home) a traditional fishing town with a strong maritime heritage, where the harbor and surrounding streets provide excellent opportunities for candid, atmospheric coastal photography. Together, the day offers a compelling contrast between the refined craftsmanship of whisky country and the rugged, salt-worn character of Scotland's fishing communities. (B)

Day Eleven: Saturday August 07, 2027  Blair Castle, Glamis Castle & On to Perth Breakfast We will travel south toward Perth, with stops at two of Scotland's most beautiful and historically significant heritage properties along the way.

The first stop is Blair Castle, the turreted white stronghold of the Duke of Atholl and ancestral home of Clan Murray. Set within extensive parkland and gardens, the castle is notable as the home of Europe's last private army, the Atholl Highlanders, and offers richly decorated interiors alongside striking exterior architecture — a rewarding subject for both grand estate shots and fine detail work.

From there, you'll continue to Glamis Castle, one of Scotland's most storied and romantic castles, long associated with the Royal Family as the childhood home of the late Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. With its fairy-tale turrets, manicured gardens, and centuries of royal and literary history — including ties to Shakespeare's Macbeth — Glamis offers a beautifully composed setting steeped in legend.

We will carry on to Perth, checking into the Mercure Hotel for the next two evenings. Mercure Hotel (B)

Day Tweleve: Sunday August 08, 2027 Perth Highland Games Breakfast. Today's photography focuses on one of Scotland's most vibrant and colorful cultural traditions: at the Perth Highland Games. A celebration of Highland heritage, the games offer an incredible range of dynamic, high-energy subjects perfect for photographers of every style. (B)

Throughout the day, you'll have the chance to capture:

• Heavy events – Powerful action shots of athletes competing in the caber toss, hammer throw, stone put, and weight-for-height competitions.
• Pipe bands and drummers – Vivid color and movement as massed pipe bands perform in full Highland dress, kilts swirling and tartans on display.
• Highland dancing – Graceful, precise competitors performing traditional dances such as the Sword Dance and Highland Fling, ideal for capturing motion and expression.
• Tug o' war and track events – Fast-paced, high-energy action shots showcasing strength and competition.
• Crowds and atmosphere – Candid shots of spectators, families, and the festive atmosphere that brings the games to life.
• Traditional dress and tartan – Close-up opportunities to photograph kilts, sporrans, and clan tartans in rich detail.
• Judges and traditions – Behind-the-scenes moments capturing the ceremony and pageantry unique to Highland games culture.

With constant movement, bold color, and genuine emotion throughout the day, the Perth Highland Games offer a fantastic finale of action and cultural photography to round out the tour's Highland journey. Overnight Mercure Hotel Perth (B) (D)

Day Thirteen: Monday August 09, 2027 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Castle, The Real Mary King's Close & The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Breakfast. Our Scottish photography journey comes full circle as we return to Edinburgh during the world-famous Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival on the planet. The city bursts with color and energy during this time, with street performers, musicians, and entertainers filling the Royal Mile — offering endless opportunities for vibrant street photography and candid portraits against the backdrop of Edinburgh's historic Old Town.

The day also includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle, the crown jewel of the city, standing watch atop its ancient volcanic rock. With commanding views over the city skyline and centuries of royal and military history within its walls, the castle offers a fitting bookend to a tour that began in its shadow.

From there, you'll descend beneath the city streets to explore the Real Mary King's Close, a hauntingly preserved 17th-century close hidden beneath the Royal Mile. This atmospheric underground warren offers a completely different photographic mood — narrow stone passageways and centuries-old chambers that tell the story of Edinburgh's hidden past.

The tour reaches its grand finale in the evening with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, performed against the dramatic floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Massed pipes and drums, military precision displays, and spectacular fireworks combine to create one of the most iconic and photogenic events in the world — a truly unforgettable close to our Scottish photography journey. Overnight Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Hay Market. (B)

Day Fourteen: Tuesday August 10, 2027 Edinburgh to Canada Breakfast and check-out of our hotel, followed by transfer to Edinburgh Airport for the group's return flight home. Our Air Canada flight departs Edinburgh at 9:00 a.m., arriving into Toronto Pearson International Airport at 11:00 a.m. After clearing customs, farewells are shared with GTA-area and connecting guests before returning London guests motorcoach departs for London and any pre arranged drop off points, arriving at approximately 2:30 p.m. Welcome Home ,,, End of Program.

Scotland in August is a fantastic time to visit and for photographers everything is in bloom. Mild weather, the peak of cherry blossom season and nice temperatures. Average daytime lows 12C to 14C and average daytime hights 19C to 24C.

Pre-tour Information Night:  As with all our photo tours, we will hold a photo information zoom night approximately three weeks prior to departure. We will present the final itinerary, travel suggestions, what gear to pack, and hand out all related travel documents. The pre-tour presentation is designed to give our photographers all the information needed for our trek. This also allows a chance for you to meet your fellow travellers, and host. As the tour date approaches we will send out an email invitation to the registered guests. 

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Scotland Registration  Contact Us  Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy

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 The cost of our Scotland Photo Tour is $8,655.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including air via Air Canada, plus air taxes of $1193.12 CAD plus $14.95 HST. Single supplement is available for an additional $2,600.00 CAD.

A non-refundable deposit of $1800 is due at the time of booking, Balance due 60 days before departure May 28th, 2027. We recommend the purchase of travel and health insurance as this tour takes us out of the province.

More ways to pay ... Equal monthly payments from deposit day to 60 days prior to departure charged to your credit card or finance though our Uplift Finance Program and pay over 6 month, 12 month  or 18 month payments. You may choose your payment option during registration. 

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Your tour includes:

• Includes:

  • Round trip coach departing from our London Meetup Locatons / Pick Ups Enroute
  • Round Trip Airfare via Air Canada
  • Motor Coach with washroom transportation during tour
  • Accommodations as specified in our itinerary
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Dinners as per the itinerary
  • Loch Lomand Cruise
  • Jabotie Crusie Loch Ness
  • Edinbourgh Royal Military Tatoo Tickets
  • Admissions, park entry fees and permits were required
  • Museum Entrance Fees
  • English speaking guides
  • All airport transfers
  • Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie
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• Excludes: 

• Alcoholic beverages, laundry and tips.

           Please note times and schedule may vary due to weather, traffic and final confirmation of excursions.

* Policy dose not allow us to do residental pickup.

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