Shetland Photo Safari
– with David Tipling
Overview
- Four day long-weekend photo safari
- The best of Shetland’s iconic species in a compact short break
- Leadership & expertise of two guides
- Birds, otters & landscape
- Learn field craft & subject knowledge in a small group
- Five nights full board hotel accommodation
- Maximum of six guests
- This tour will include a short beach clean as part of our commitment to protecting Shetland’s natural environment
An exciting and educational photo-safari / mini-break, brand new to our 2017 program. Led jointly by David Tipling, one of the UK’s best known bird photographers, author of bestselling titles such as the RSPB Digital Guide to Wildlife Photography and Brydon Thomason, a native Shetland naturalist with over 30 years local knowledge of the islands and their wildlife.
We target the very best of Shetlands wildlife. From cliff-top puffins to photographing bathing skuas from purpose-built hides; Gannet feeding frenzies to tracking the notoriously wild and elusive otter. Throughout the itinerary we are on hand to share our knowledge and expertise.
2023 Dates:
- This tour is not currently available.
The itinerary
As is the case with all of our itineraries we need a certain amount of day to day flexibility so as to maximise our opportunities and get the best out of the weather. On each day we will discuss the species we will shoot and techniques we’d recommend. We will give advice on composition and camera settings to use as and when required.
With our small group size and high leader to guest ratio this gives an ideal opportunity for beginners or less experienced photographers to receive the help they may wish to receive to take better pictures, whilst also giving experienced photographers opportunities that are far greater due to fewer people than they might receive in a typical photography group holiday.
Friday
Meet and greet at the Sumburgh Hotel for a welcome dinner and an overview of the exciting days ahead. Overnight Sumburgh Hotel
Saturday
We begin the day with the first of three seabird colonies to feature in our itinerary, Sumburgh Head. Here we hope to enjoy opportunities with many species including Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake and Fulmar as well as everyone’s favourite- Puffins.
We then venture north to Lerwick where after our picnic lunch we board the MV Ruby May on an exhilarating charter to Noss National Nature Reserve for the spectacle of a lifetime- a gannet feeding frenzy.
Later in the afternoon we continue north to the island of Unst where we check in for our three night stay.
Sunday to Tuesday
Over the next three days we will divide up so two people each day photograph Otters with Brydon, two of the group enjoy close encounters with various species from our exclusive hides while the remaining two will join David for a variety of subjects that may include photographing waders such as Golden Plover from a vehicle, Black Guilemots and Arctic Terns and enjoy the spectacular sights and sounds of Hermaness National Nature Reserve, one the World’s great seabird colonies home to Great Skuas, Puffins and a Gannet colony breathtaking in its scale. Every person in the group will get to do all activities planned.
With our small group size and high leader to guest ratio this gives an ideal opportunity for beginners or less experienced photographers to receive the help they may wish to receive to take better pictures, whilst also giving experienced photographers opportunities that are far greater due to fewer people than they might receive in a typical photography group holiday.
Wednesday
Transfer and departures
Booking – Holiday Dates
| This tour is not currently available. |
Private Tour Options: This holiday can also be arranged exclusively for private booing for couples, families or small groups.
Contact us for information and cost proposal for your own exclusive/tailor-made holiday. Email: [email protected]
Additional holiday information:
- Read about the hotels we use – view our hotel providers.
- All meals, accommodation, guiding fee’s and excursions as well as ferry fares and transport are included in package cost.
- All boat trips are subject to weather availability.
- Not included in cost are items of a personal nature or hotel bar tabs nor is travel to and from Shetland included.
- No single supplement charged.
- On booking please advise of any special requirements medical or dietary.
- Throughout the holiday some of the activities will potentially involve walks of up to three or four miles (maximum in a day) and at times over uneven terrain. A reasonable level of fitness is advised however this is run at a leisurely pace. We can also provide holidays at an even more leisurely pace; please contact us for details.
- Please note that all itineraries are subject to change but guests will be advised in advance should it be necessary to make any major changes.