Scotland
August 1 – 8 /2019
Photography / Plein-Air Painting Workshop
Taught by Scott Williams & Niki Gulley
We are at it once again, taking you on a new adventure where you will have an opportunity to experience a different culture, see some new sights, taste some unique foods and savor some great beer & whiskey, Scotland!
This Trek will acquaint you with some of the best that Scotland has to offer, from the amazing city of Edinburgh, to the stunning landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and culminating in the picturesque Isle of Skye. Choose which aspect interests you, as we will help guide you to capture on canvas or film, the spectacular scenery and rich tapestry, that is Scotland or just join us for the adventure.
There is no better place to get a feel for Scotland than starting in it’s cultural heart, Edinburgh. Gaze out over the city spread out before you from the top of Calton Hill, stroll along the Royal Mile and poke your head into St Giles’ Cathedral or take a tour of Edinburgh Castle, the historic fortress that dominates the skyline from its position on the Castle Rock. There also might be an opportunity sample a wee dram of Scotch, since we are here of course.
Having gotten a taste for the life in the city, it is now time to move out into the magnificent countryside as we venture to the Scottish Highlands. Set against mountain backdrops, its rolling hills and rugged landscapes accentuated with rushing rivers and thundering waterfalls present visual delights around every bend. Our last stop here will be in Dornie to admire one of the most photographed spot in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle.
Our home for the next four days, is in the quaint little town of Portree on the Isle of Skye. This picturesque harbor town is the gateway to some of the most breathtaking vistas that I ever had the good fortune to experience. From the majestic beauty of the Old Man of Storr, to the cascading Kilt Rock waterfall and the etherial panorama of the Quiriang, it is just a magical setting that should not be missed! Since food is a large part of any culture, we try to give you some of the best that each area has to offer. So while here we will eat at one of the most famous restaurants in Scotland to round out your Scottish experience.
Niki will conduct the Plein-Air Painting
Workshop from different picturesque locations daily, teaching through a combination of demos, discussions, assistance and critiques. Sessions will be broken into different morning and afternoon locations, with plenty of time in between for shopping, sightseeing or to dine al fresco for a leisurely lunch.
Scott will take the photographers on daily walking tours where you will have the opportunity to experience Scotland through your lens as Scott guides you to use your camera to define what you see while achieving your own artistic vision.
As with the painters, there will be daily destinations with time allowances for exploring on your own. There will also be valuable critique sessions throughout the workshop as time allows. This will give everyone an opportunity to discuss the day’s events, compare notes, ask questions and get a chance to know each other. It also presents a unique option to get views and perspectives from both painters and photographers.
So come join us as we take you on an inspirational exploration of Scotland and its surroundings with an emphasis on observation and perception as we help you develop your own style. Admission is limited to 12 participants, so we encourage you to enroll as soon as possible. There will also be space open for non-participating partners at reduced rates on a limited basis.
Work Shop includes:
- Hotel for 7 nights. 3 in Edinburgh and 4 in the Isle of Skye (Double occupancy) (Accommodations are in shared rooms, although a few single rooms may be available at an extra fee)
- Breakfast throughout the trip and all transportation within Scotland
- Stops along the way in the Highlands and Dornie
- Admission to Edinburgh Castle and Eilean Donan Castle.
- Emergency Medical Insurance.
- Instruction, guidance, experience and fun.
Your cost for all of this is $3,795 and to reserve a spot, simply send a completed application (forms will be provided upon email request) along with your deposit of $1,200 per person. A second payment of one half of the remainder after deposit is due by Nov. 12th, with a final payment due by Jan. 14th.
For those wanting a single occupancy room, there will be an additional cost of $850. There is a discount of $350 for partners wanting to accompany participants on the trip, but not take the workshop. We can take credit card payments, however it will incur a 3.5% fee.
Airfare to the workshop is not included, you are responsible for your own travel arrangements. We will provide transportation from the Edinburgh airport Thursday August 1st at one appointed time, as well as all transportation within Scotland and the return to the airport in Edinburgh on Thursday August 8th.
Our trips, while not overly strenuous do require a reasonable amount of physical fitness. In order to derive the greatest experience from our destinations, we spend a fair amount of time walking within each location. Our goal being that each person should see and experience as much of the culture as possible during our excursions.
There will be no rain dates or refunds for weather or travel difficulties. We suggest travel insurance for those situations.
Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can help you in any way and we hope that you will be able to join us!
Scott Williams 214-289-8512 / Niki Gulley 214-803-5812
Email Scott, photoguy@blind-squirrel.org if you are interested in joining us.