Join popular wildlife photographers on our photography trip to Isle of Mull where we have the opportunity to capture stunning images of a diverse range of birds, flowers, plants, landscapes and mammals.
Over the course of our week-long stay we will explore this stunning island, on foot, by vehicle and by boat accompanied by experienced wildlife photographers Bret Charman and Sean Weekly. During our trip we will have the opportunity to indulge in macro photography and try out a variety techniques with the expert help of our leaders.
A boat trip to the neighbouring Treshnish Isles will take in the Isle of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave before moving onto the Isle of Lunga where there will be an opportunity to spend time with and photograph at close quarters one of the UK’s most charismatic seabirds, the enigmatic puffin, together with huge numbers of other sea birds, including guillemots, razorbills, shags and fulmars. Lunga offers a ‘Galapagos' type experience, where tolerant endearing birds can surround you on all sides. During the voyage out to and back from the isles, there is a reasonable chance of also seeing dolphins, basking sharks and possibly even minke whales.
A separate full day exclusive boat charter will provide superb opportunities to photograph spectacular white-tailed eagles, as well as the chance of both harbour and grey seals. We will also visit the charming Isle of Ulva, a haven for seals, otters and a variety of other wildlife. The island also offers plenty of macro photography opportunities with over 500 species of plant recorded including several rare orchids alongside some stunning sea-shore life.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Arrive and transfer to Mull
The trip begins at the Ferry Terminal in Oban, for the short scenic ferry journey to Craignure.
On arrival we will meet our leaders then drive north along Mull’s eastern coastline to Salen, before turning south west towards the Benmore Estate, our base for the next seven nights. The journey is around 15 miles and will provide a perfect introduction to this beautiful island.
We will have an opportunity to settle into our accommodation and freshen up, before enjoying a delicious welcome meal and introductory briefing from our leaders.
You've arrived on Eagle Island - home to one of the densest populations of white-tailed and golden eagles in western Europe! It's time to get your camera out as we start exploring and with the full extent of the Benmore Estate to investigate, we have plenty of ground to cover. After the long journey to Mull there is the chance to stretch our legs and we'll have a morning walk along the tranquil shores of Loch Ba, a large freshwater loch which has pairs of white-tailed and golden eagle nearby. Native greylag geese, goosander and red-breasted mergansers nest along its shores and by now may well be on the move with this year's young, keeping a wary eye on the skies for hunting sea eagles who will also have well-grown young to feed. This is a great time to assess your photography levels and get your first tips from the leaders.
Common sandpipers and their chicks will be busy along the shoreline ensuring the chicks keep safe from the hooves of sheep and cattle in this upland farming environment. Our walk will also take us through a delightful woodland of birch and oak, on the lower slopes of the surrounding hills and there is a chance to hear and see some summer migrants such as redstart, wood warbler and tree pipit. It's a gentle, relaxing amble in spectacular scenery, which will serve as an enticing introduction to our week on Mull.
This evening, as well as subsequent evenings, for those who are still awake after dinner in Knock House, we may go out to see whether we can capture any images of the local owls, weather permitting, as there is a good local population of barn and tawny owls around the grounds of the estate.
Day3: Full day boat trip to The Treshnish Isles
We'll choose our day to ensure we get the best weather possible for our all-day visit to the magical Treshnish Isles, a Special Protection Area (SPA) for its nationally important populations of nesting seabirds. We'll sail from Ulva Ferry on the west coast of Mull and even before the boat leaves, we'll be looking to get some images of the harbour seals hauled out on rocks close to Ulva Ferry. It's pupping time, so there's a chance to see some newly arrived youngsters. With all the activity in the haul out, it sometimes also attracts the attention of the local sea eagles that visit to clean up what they can.
We may initially head south to the Isle of Staffa to experience Fingal’s Cave and have a first taste of close encounters with puffins and other sea birds on the cliff tops. The leaders will be on hand to advise on how to capture the best shots based on the weather and lighting conditions and can answer any questions you may have. After this initial puffin experience, we will head north west to Lunga, the main island of the Treshnish Isles - home to the main seabird colonies and one of the UK’s most remarkable wildlife experiences.
On shore, we'll ascend the slope up to the cliff top and head towards the main puffin colony. We will observe the puffins from an appropriate distance, so as not to disturb them, and watch the fascinating antics as they come and go. This is THE place to get those ‘birds in flight’ shots you’ve always aspired to and you should be able to capture some lovely portrait shots as well as some images showing the animals in their environment.
There's also the chance to venture on a little further to Harp Rock where the cacophony and aroma of the main sea bird colony will hit you between the eyes (and nose!). Kittiwakes, fulmars, razorbills, guillemots and shags await and it's truly a sight to behold. There'll be even more puffins too! If we're lucky, around the abandoned old crofts and steadings, we may hear a rare corncrake's rasping call as they creep around, hidden in the nettles and irises. A much under-rated, little brown finch known as the twite - a specialist of these coastal heaths might also be encountered as well as raven, hooded crow, kestrel, an occasional peregrine and we'll always be keeping an eye on the sea in case of any passing dolphins or porpoises. In addition, we may also come across a smack of common or moon jellyfish during our time exploring The Treshnish Isles, which can also provide some intriguing photographic opportunities.
Days4-5: Full day photographic sessions on Mull & surrounding islands
Over the next two days, the group will split in two. One group will embark on a full day of flower/macro and general photography at various sites around Mull. This may include a very short boat ride to Ulva, which is home to over 500 species of plants, including rare orchids and some rare insects, butterflies and moths. The day will include tuition on how to achieve the best macro images.
The second group will (weather permitting) venture out on a boat trip in Loch Na Keal, around the island of Eorsa, in search of white-tailed eagles. This is the day we aim to get up close and personal with Britain's largest bird of prey. We have exclusive trips planned with Mull Charters, the only boat operator on Mull to offer specialised white-tailed eagle viewing and photography opportunities. They work within the RSPB's Code of Conduct to ensure the eagles stay safe and undisturbed but they do come close, so be sure to have your cameras ready! As the boat is ours for the day, depending on the sightings, we may be able to also sail past Inch Kenneth to capture some images of the seals.
Day6: Macro, landscape & wildlife photography on the Isle of the Mull
Today will be a full day of general, flower and macro photography, as well as making the most of any other wildlife we find on our travels. We will visit various sites across Mull, depending on where the best flora and fauna are at the time. Mull has birds of prey in abundance, so we will have our eyes open at all times for hen harriers, short eared owls, kestrels, merlins and peregrines as well, of course, as the white-tailed and golden eagles.
After lunch, we'll continue our exploration, perhaps visiting Loch Scridain in search of otters whilst also encountering grey heron and maybe a late great northern diver offshore. It is important to note that whilst we will attempt to observe otters, photographic opportunities for these wonderful animals could be limited and from a distance. Later we may venture into Glen More, bordered on both sides by steep mountains and into the domain of golden eagles and red deer. There's also the chance of short-eared owl, raven and hen harrier in this area. Red deer are calving now so we'll be looking for them too.
Day7: Further photography on the Benmore Estate
This morning we will head out on our final photography outing on the Benmore Estate and perhaps further afield on the Isle of Mull. We may return to any previously visited productive locations and visit others that are new. This is the time to ask any burning questions you may have, and to get any final images, hints and tips from your guides. Enjoy the views, wildlife and fresh air on the estate before finishing the trip with an afternoon BBQ at a lakeside bothy.
Day8: Return to Craignure for Ferry to Oban
Sadly, it's departure day and we'll be heading back to Craignure for your ferry to Oban. Just outside Craignure, if the eagles are nesting there and the award-winning Mull Eagle Watch is active at Craignure Golf Course, we'll swing by for a final glimpse of these majestic birds. The Mull and Iona Community Trust and RSPB rangers will explain the history of this particular pair of birds which nest in a wood overlooking the golf course, helping to keep the greens free of geese and rabbits. From there, it's just a five minute drive to the ferry terminal where we'll say our farewells.
Please note: The day-to-day schedule will remain flexible due to the vagaries of the weather, with the emphasis on achieving the eagle and puffin trips early in the week.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 daysfrom £3,295 pp
Bret is an award-winning wildlife photographer with a background in the wildlife travel and safari industry, with a particular interest in African and Australian wildlife.
After spending a year in Australia to pursue wildlife photography, he was rewarded with success at the prestigious Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition, as well as winning the Birds in Flight category in Bird Photographer of the Year. Bret has experience leading groups in Europe, the Americas and in Africa.
Multi award-winner and full time photographer, Sean's work is regularly featured across a range of national and international publications.
After a career as a Royal Marine, Sean moved to the diverse habitats of Singapore where long-tailed macaques, snakes, lizards and tropical birds were just a stones throw away from his home.
Travelling through South East Asia and Australia with his camera was what ignited his love of the natural world and now he ventures across the globe to expand his wildlife photography. Sean has led numerous workshops in the UK and further afield in Europe at locations including Skomer, Greece, Finland, Spain and Scotland.
Alexa is an ecologist and cetacean researcher with a passion for conservation. She is a keen wildlife photographer and combines research with a love of guiding and sharing knowledge of the marine environment.
Alexa began studying cetaceans in the Hebrides 25 years ago and has since worked as a researcher, guide, campaigner and consultant on marine mammal research projects worldwide. Her research projects have included visual, acoustic and aerial surveys in the North and Baltic Seas, Iceland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Belize and a research voyage across the Atlantic.
She lives on the Isle of Mull in the former lighthouse keepers’ cottages, which she spent three years renovating. She returns to the west coast of Iceland each winter, but for the rest of the year, she enjoys Mull’s wildlife and has spent recent years exploring the Inner and Outer Hebrides by boat.
The Isle of Mull is home to a rich flora and fauna. It’s one of the best places to see otters in the UK, and special birds here include hen harrier, white-tailed and golden eagles as well as red-throated divers. Red deer, seals and a rich marine life are additional draws for the keen naturalist.
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Where: Hebrides
Ideal for viewing: otter, grey seal, golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, minke whale
Knock House is a classic west highland country house located in the heart of the 12,000 hectare Benmore Estate in Scotland. Full of new life and old charm, it offers comfortable accommodation for up to 20 guests, with stunning views over the surrounding hills and glens.
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