SCOTLAND'S FORGOTTEN PAST
May 1 - 10, 2026
Scotland’s past is like an epic saga of bloodshed, defiance, power struggles, and fierce clan warfare. Over the centuries, it has been invaded by the Romans, the Vikings, and the English, and all of this drama has left myriad historical and religious scars on the land. Crumbling fortifications, cathedrals in ruins, ancient cemeteries, haunting abandoned mansions, and imposing castles are testaments to Scotland’s ferocious past. This historical context makes a photography tour particularly rich because of the diversity of subject matter and the powerful stories behind everything you see and photograph.
What you will learn on this photo tour:
How to shoot a vertical panorama
How to focus stack using a telephoto lens
Using HDR for perfect twilight exposures
The advantages of shooting on manual mode
How to correct parallax (angled vertical lines)
What are the best camera settings for birds in flight
Why horizontal panos can replace wide angle shots
Solving the 'no tripods allowed' problem
ITINERARY
Day 1, May 1, Friday
Leave home to arrive on this day in Edinburgh, Scotland. and take a taxi or Uber to our hotel. Meet Jim and the rest of the group in the lobby for a meet & greet, and we can discuss the upcoming photography tour. We'll enjoy a welcome dinner and then, if you're not too tired, we can take some great pictures of this beautiful and historic city at twilight. Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 2, May 2, Saturday
We have a full day to explore Edinburgh's best photography highlights. This includes the spectacular St. Giles Cathedral and its super ornate Thistle Chapel, the necropolis, Edinburgh Castle,
Victoria Street, and the commanding elevated view of the city from Calton Hill which offers great photography at twilight. Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 3, May 3, Sunday
After breakfast we depart from Edinburgh to the south, and in a short distance we stop at Rosslyn Chapel, an intricately carved 15th century Scottish Episcopal gothic church that's really quite remarkable to see and photograph. From here we continue south to the village of Melrose and visit the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey that opened in 1150 A.D. The original land owner, Huge de Moreville, had come from Normandy with William the Conqueror 84 years earlier. Nearby is the spectacular Melrose Abbey founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks, and the adjacent ancient cemetery offers a striking foreground for the very impressive architecture that still looks magnificent. Overnight Selkirk.
Day 4, May 4, Monday
Another 12th century abbey, Jedburg, warrants a morning visit because the architecture is so different from the others. From here we head west to Dalquharran Castle built in 1790. It is in ruins, but photographically it produces magnificent images. Nearby is another stately home in ruins, Loudoun Castle, that dates from the first decade of the 19th century. The ruins is surrounded by lush greenery that embellishes the nostalgia of a bygone era. Overnight Troon.
Day 5, May 5, Tuesday
This morning we drive northeast to the ruins of Cambusnethan Priory built in 1820. The once elegant home is overgrown with vegetation and it never recovered from a fire, but it makes
compelling images. After this, a half hour away is a striking sculpture by famed Scottish artist, Andy Scott. We stop here to photograph it, and Jim will talk about replacing the sky, if necessary, for maximum drama. A short drive from here is the dramatic ruins of 19 centuryLennox Castle, once used as an infamous hospital for 'mentally deficient' people. It is slowly being reclaimed by the forest, and it's a great subject to shoot. It is eerie, mysterious, brooding, and elegant all at the same time. Overnight Strathblane.
Day 6, May 6, Wednesday
Falconry in Scotland was the most popular in the Middle Ages. The sport of kings, knights, and nomads, it was a method of hunting and it also represented a certain status in the social order. We spend this morning at a falconry center in which
we can take both striking portraits of eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls, and we will also get some great flight shots. Jim will discuss with you the best camera settings for taking tack sharp images of this kind of action.
After lunch, we drive a short distance and spend the afternoon photographing the decaying 19th century Buchanan Castle. It is largely engulfed by vegetation because the roof was removed in 1954 to avoid paying tax on the property. The structure very quickly fell into ruin. The castle was used as a hospital during the Second World War, and one of its infamous patients was Rudolph Hess, one of Hitler's high command. Overnight Strathblane.
Day 7, May 7, Thursday
After breakfast we continue north and stop at the
Falls of Leny, a raging river that surrounds a small forested island. From the observation point, it's a dynamic shot. You'll want to experiment with slow shutter speeds as well as fast ones to freeze the turbulent water. Next, a short distance away is one of the oldest buildings in Scotland. Portions of the Dunblane Cathedral date from the mid-11th century. Monks fleeing Viking raids established this religious center a thousand years ago. After lunch, we will visit a private farm in Argaty to photograph the feeding of red kites. Hundreds of wild birds gather daily to take advantage of an easy meal.
We then drive north again to the grand ruins of Dunalastair House that dates to around 1800. It was abandoned after World War I because there was no staff available to care for the immense mansion. After taking amazing pictures of this great place, we drive to Pitlochry and overnight.
Day 8, May 8, Friday
After breakfast we enjoy a tour of the local distillery and see how malt whiskey is made. This is also a photo opportunity because the exterior of the buildings and the interior machinery make excellent pictures. We then drive east to Ballintuim to photograph Blackcraig Castle and the adjacent Bridge House which is a 19th century stone dwelling that spans a beautiful river. After lunch we continue east for about an hour and arrive at Aberlemno, a village that has some of the best ancient carvings of the Pictish people who lived here 1500 years ago.
Driving a little further east brings us to the coast and the beautifully situated ruins of Dunottar Castle. It was built between 1400 and 1600, and it is surrounded on three sides by water for a commanding view of the coastline. Overnight in nearby Stonehaven.
Day 9, May 9, Saturday
We will shoot sunrise on Dunnotter Castle and then return to the hotel for breakfast. We then head south to the Boddin Lime Kilns. By using old rotting boats in the foreground, we can create unique seascapes. Built in 1750, these kilns were used to produce lime primarily for construction projects.
Our next stop south is the incredible ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral. The ruins are magnificent to photograph. This great cathedral fell into ruin when bishops were abolished due to the Protestant Reformation, and much of the stonework was catabolized to build homes and other structures.
In the late afternoon we visit Crawford Priory, a haunted-looking ruined estate seldom seen by tourists. It is stately, impressive, and is beautifully photogenic from any angle. Overnight Dunfermline.
Day 10, May 10, Sunday
The Dunfermline Abbey opened in 1128. Many of the great Scottish kings and queens have been laid to rest here including Robert the Bruce in 1329. We photograph both the dramatic exterior as well as the impressive Romanesque interior. As we make our way back to Edinburgh, we stop at a park in Falkirk and take pictures of one of the greatest outdoor works of art in the world. The artistic is Andy Scott, and his magnificent Kelpies are two huge horse heads 100 feet tall (30 meters) made of stainless steel.
After lunch, we make a visit to one of the largest estates in the U.K., Calendar House. It dates from the 14th century. It has played host to many great historical figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots, Cromwell, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Following this we return to Edinburg. Overnight at an airport hotel.
Day 11, May 11, Monday
After breakfast take the free airport shuttle to the terminal for your return flight home, knowing you've seen, experienced, and photographed many of Scotland's most famous and most beautiful places.
Cost of tour: $6195. Includes 10 nights' lodging, all ground transportation starting on May 2, all breakfasts, welcome and farewell dinner, all entrance fees, photographic instruction, and critiques on demand.
Single supplement: $895
Not included: International airfare to Edinburgh and return, all lunches and 8 dinners, trip cancellation insurance, medical evacuation insurance, alcohol, and items of a personal nature.