Dumfries & Galloway, a picturesque region in South West Scotland, boasts a diverse landscape that includes a winding coastline with rocky shores, sandy beaches, and vast expanses of forests and rolling hills inland. Often overlooked by more popular destinations in the north, like the Highlands and Islands, this hidden gem has been somewhere I have visited many times over the last few years. Now, I'm thrilled to offer an exclusive small group workshop to share some of my favourite locations in this tranquil corner of Scotland.
Spring arrives a bit later here compared to southern England, bringing with it a riot of colours as bluebells and wild garlic blanket the woodlands, and pink thrift graces the clifftops. It's an absolutely stunning time of year to explore this charming part of Scotland.
Our adventure has three bases, giving us flexibility to work with the weather and season. Commencing in Gatehouse of Fleet, a stones throw from the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, we will explore breathtaking bluebell woodlands and enjoy the coastal vistas overlooking the Solway Firth. On clear days, you can even spot the distant mountains of The Lake District. This area is incredibly photogenic and the long spring days will give us ample time to explore. Our accommodation for this leg of the journey will be The Cally Palace Hotel and Golf Club, complete with dinner, bed, and breakfast.
On the fourth day, we'll venture further southwest, capturing scenes along the way as we make our way to our second base in the small coastal village of Portpatrick on the Mull of Galloway. Here, we'll photograph the dramatic Dunskey Castle perched atop the cliffs, gazing out towards the sea with Northern Ireland on the horizon. Nearby, we will find secluded woodlands and not far away is the dramatic Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, marking the southernmost point of Scotland. The Harbour House Hotel will be our home for two nights, offering a comfortable bed and breakfast experience.
From Portpatrick, we'll take a leisurely drive towards our final base in Thornhill. We will enjoy the varied landscape and have the opportunity to photograph red kites on the way. On our final morning we will enjoy taking in the beauty of Morton Castle and Loch which served as a location in the popular series Outlander. We'll also enjoy a woodland and riverside walk before concluding our adventure after lunch.
We will meet at the hotel on the afternoon or evening of Thursday 8th May, subject to your travel arrangements. The workshop will begin with sunrise on Friday 9th.
If you're arriving by public transport, I can arrange to pick you up from Dumfries Railway Station and drop you off for your return journey on the afternoon of Thursday 15th May. I'll confirm joining and departure details once the workshop has filled. Contact me for further information.