With its wind-swept beaches, pearl-coloured shores, teal seas, swaying marram grasses, towering sea stacks and megalithic sites, the Isle of Lewis and Harris is arguably one of the most photogenic islands in Europe – if it is not already on your photo bucket list, it should be. This really is one of the most remote, romantic, seductive, and breathtakingly beautiful locations found anywhere in Europe – the perfect place to explore with your camera and learn how to take better photographs with expert guidance.
Despite the name, Lewis and Harris is a single island divided only by mountains. With its hard granite-like moonscape terrain and dramatic, craggy coastline, Lewis can be found to the North of the Isles. To the south is Harris, with its sweeping turquoise shoreline and coral, virgin beaches. This remains an unspoiled, wild, diverse, and peaceful place. It is a large island, measuring approx. 80miles in length. During this 4-day workshop, we will visit such locations as the towering cliffs and huge sea stacks of Mangersta, the gentle, sloping beaches of Luskentyre, Seilebost, and Usinish, and also the salt marshes of Northton. You cannot visit the Outer Hebrides without photographing the iconic standing stones of Callanish, which have stood here for 5,000 years.
This workshop will be based in Tarbert toward the centre of the Island, perfectly placed for accessing both the North and South. The popular Harris Hotel will be our home during the workshop. This hotel has been family owned and run for over 100 years and offers traditional island hospitality, wonderful food, and a welcoming atmosphere. They also have one of the largest selections of malt whiskys on Harris – almost 100 varieties! The hotel is not only a great base, but somewhere to relax and unwind after a long day’s shooting. And if the weather is adverse, the hotel offers plenty of space for us to host tutorials and feedback sessions on your photos and processing style.
Included in the cost of the workshop is 3-nights accommodation (sole occupancy), breakfast and packed lunch (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and evening meal (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Your tutors for this workshop are Mark Banks and Ross Hoddinott. Mark, in particular, has visited the Outer Hebrides many times and his vast experience will ensure we are in the right locations at the right tide and time.
For this workshop, we are limiting the group size to just eight participants to ensure viewpoints don’t feel crowded. With a small maximum group size, a large amount of individual, bespoke tuition is guaranteed and you will benefit from the differing perspective of two professionals. For comfort and convenience, transport is via car sharing. We hope you can join us for what promises to be a very special photo adventure...
Traveling to Tarbert:
FERRY: The ferry from Uig on Skye to Tarbert on Harris is the most popular transport link (cost not included in the workshop price). The journey takes approx. 90 minutes on the CalMac ferry. Please be aware that ferry crossing times for March 2026 have yet to be released yet. The cost for passenger only (return) is approx. £15.00 - and for a car (or 4x4) the cost is approx. £75.00 (return). Alternatively, you can sail from Ullapool to Stornoway.
FLYING: You can fly to Stornoway (Lewis) from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Iverness.
