itinerary

Your Retreat, Your Way

Everything in this itinerary is optional — there’s no pressure, no rules, no “must-do” moments. This is your time to breathe, reflect, and give your head and creativity the space it needs. Move at your own pace, follow your curiosity.

6-Day Premium Skye Photography Retreat Itinerary

Day 1: Monday Arrival & Welcome

  • Morning

    • Meet in Inverness 10am(airport or city pick-up).

    • Drive south-west to Glencoe via the Great Glen.

    • brief stop at Eilean Donan Castle.

    • Arrive at Skye accommodation, settle in.

  • Evening

    • Welcome dinner & introduction talk: “Open Over Fixed — Seeing Beyond the Obvious”.

Day 2: Water & Light

Tuesday – Northern Skye: Trotternish Peninsula

  • Sunrise: Old Man of Storr — iconic views over the Sound of Raasay.

  • Late Morning: Lealt Falls & coastal cliffs — focus on mood and storytelling.

  • Afternoon: chilled out afternoon to relax.

  • Early eve: Quiraing golden-hour session — dramatic light and misty ridges.

  • Evening: Group review & informal discussion.

Day 3: Mountain Perspective

Wednesday – Boat trip to Loch Coruisk,

  • Morning/Afternoon: Boat trip to photograph dramatic Cullen Ridge.

  • Evening: Dinner in a local pub, optional night-sky photography if clear.

  • Sunset: Neist Point Lighthouse for sweeping seascapes.

An important point: We are in Scotland, where the weather can be as dramatic as the landscape. Therefore, we may change the schedule once we have sight of the forecast.

Day 4: Stillness & Details

Thursday – Southern Skye: Cuillin Mountains & Fairy Pools

  • Morning: Guided walk to Fairy Pools — working with water movement and reflections.

  • Later afternoon walk through Sligachan Valley with Cuillin in the backdrop.

Day 5: Open Skies

Friday – Hidden Skye & Creative Focus

  • Morning/Afternoon walk up part of the Cuillin.

  • Afternoon: One-on-one portfolio reviews & editing workshop.

  • Evening: Farewell dinner at The Three Chimneys.

Day 6: Departure

Saturday – Return to Inverness by 12:00

  • Early Morning: Breakfast & optional short local walk.

  • Morning: Depart Skye, scenic drive via Glen Shiel.

  • Noon: Drop-off in Inverness for onward travel.

what you need to bring

This retreat is about creativity over kit — but a few essentials will help you get the most out of the experience.

Camera Gear

  • Camera you’re most comfortable with — DSLR, mirrorless, or high-end compact

  • Lenses — A mix is ideal: wide for landscapes, telephoto for compression, and something fast for low light

  • Spare batteries & memory cards

  • Tripod — Lightweight but sturdy enough for Skye’s winds

  • Laptop + charger — For editing sessions (Lightroom or preferred software installed)

  • Card reader or cables — For image transfer

Outdoor Clothing

Skye’s weather is beautifully unpredictable — you’ll need to be ready for everything.

  • Waterproof jacket + trousers

  • Sturdy hiking boots

  • Warm layers (fleece, etc.)

  • Hat + gloves

  • Daypack for carrying gear on location

  • Reusable water bottle + snacks

Optional but Recommended

  • Notebook/sketchbook for ideas, notes, visual thoughts

  • A few favourite images — printed or digital — for sharing and discussion

  • Inspiration — a book, a film still, a painting, a piece of music you love

  • Open mind and good energy — this is about creative connection, not perfection

accommodation

You’ll be staying with Sonas Hotels, a collection of boutique luxury properties on the Isle of Skye, chosen for their comfort, style, and creative atmosphere. Each location offers spacious, beautifully designed rooms, refined Scottish dining, and thoughtful touches throughout — the perfect base to unwind, reflect, and stay inspired. With views across sea lochs and quiet corners to think or edit, your accommodation is not just where you rest — it’s part of the retreat itself.

Terms & Conditions – Photography Workshops & Retreats

1. Booking & Payment

  • A non-refundable deposit of £1,000 per person is required to secure your place.

  • Full payment is due 10 weeks before the workshop/retreat start date.

  • Bookings made less than 10 weeks before the start date require full payment immediately.

2. Cancellation & Refunds

  • Cancellations made more than 10 weeks before the start date will forfeit the deposit but receive a refund of any balance paid.

  • Cancellations made less than 10 weeks before the start date are non-refundable unless your place can be resold.

  • We recommend purchasing travel and cancellation insurance to cover unforeseen events.

3. Workshop/Retreat Minimum Numbers & Changes

  • A minimum number of participants (usually 4) is required to run the workshop/retreat.

  • If minimum numbers are not met, we reserve the right to cancel and provide a full refund.

  • Itinerary, schedule, and locations may change due to weather, safety, or other factors beyond our control.

4. Participant Responsibilities

  • Participants must be physically able to undertake the activities involved, including walking/hiking with equipment.

  • Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from meeting points.

  • Participants are responsible for their own camera equipment and personal belongings.

  • Participants must inform us of any relevant health conditions or dietary requirements before booking.

5. Creative Content & Use of Images

  • Participants retain copyright of images they create during the workshop/retreat.

  • We may take photographs or videos during the event for promotional purposes. Participants may opt out by notifying us in writing before the event.

  • Participants grant us permission to use their images captured during the event for marketing unless otherwise requested.

6. Liability

  • Participation is at your own risk. We do not accept liability for injury, loss, or damage to personal property during the workshop/retreat.

  • Participants should have appropriate insurance for health, travel, and equipment.

7. Agreement

  • By booking, participants confirm they have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions.