Autumn in the Ancient Forests of Scotland | Glen Affric and Surrounding Area Photography Workshop - 11-14 Oct 2026

11–14 October 2026 | 4 Days / 3 Nights | £1250pp | Max 2 Guests

Join me on a deeply immersive autumn photography workshop set in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, where the remnants of Britain’s last great forest still breathe beneath ancient skies. This is not just a workshop — it’s an invitation to explore some of the finest and most evocative woodland landscapes in all of Europe, at the very moment when they are at their most sublime.

Over four unforgettable days, we’ll venture deep into Glen Affric, Glen Cannich, and Glen Strathfarrar — an interconnected tapestry of Caledonian pinewood, native birch, moss-draped oaks, and fern-choked gullies — where nature still clings to its original form. These are not managed plantations or curated trails. These are old, wild woods. Some of the most untouched and atmospheric temperate rainforests in the UK. Places where ancient trees rise from beds of moss and golden bracken, their trunks shrouded in lichen and liverworts, their limbs twisting into the soft Highland air.

This workshop is designed for those who are passionate about woodland photography and ready to take their creative voice further. We’ll work with the chaos, not against it — embracing the shifting light, the layering of branches, and the interplay of shape, texture, and colour that define truly great woodland imagery. October is the peak of the autumn transformation here — expect a vivid palette of copper, ochre, gold, rust-red and the deep, dark greens of native Scots pine, all set against lochs, mist, and mountains. If you’ve ever wanted to photograph Scotland’s woodlands at their absolute finest, this is it.

The Wilderness Within Reach

This part of the Highlands offers an extraordinary balance between accessibility and wilderness. Our base is a beautiful woodland lodge just a few minutes from the entrance to Glen Affric. Here, in comfort and calm, we’ll plan our days and retreat in the evenings to unwind, review our images, and recharge for the next outing. Each guest will have a single occupancy room. The lodge is self-catering with shared bathroom and dining facilities, and we’ll either make use of nearby local shops for a food run or enjoy meals at nearby Highland restaurants depending on the group’s preferences.

Unlike larger group tours, this workshop is deliberately intimate — just two places available. That means you’ll receive highly personalised tuition, in-depth guidance, and the space to slow down and truly connect with the environment around you.

Guided by Experience

I’ve spent years photographing these woodlands and will take you straight to the best locations — the quiet groves where few venture, the ridges with perfect views over loch and forest, the twisted veterans draped in silver lichen that seem like they’ve grown straight from folklore. These forests can feel overwhelming at first — where does one begin? What compositions work here? What light transforms a scene? This is where I come in. With focused, one-on-one guidance, I’ll help you hone your vision and deepen your connection with the landscape, whether you're just getting to grips with woodland photography or you’re looking to refine your portfolio.

We’ll spend time crafting images in multiple conditions — bright, overcast, misty if we’re lucky — and I’ll teach you how to respond to each. We’ll also spend time discussing your work, editing techniques, and how to draw out mood, depth, and subtlety in post-processing.

Optional Adventure to Assynt

If conditions align and the group is keen, we’ll take one longer day trip to the far north — to a hidden forest in Assynt, home to some of the wildest and most dramatic woodland scenes in the UK. Here, scattered ancient birch and pine cling to rugged moorland, often wrapped in low cloud or glowing in the rare autumn sun. Few photographers have ever explored these locations, but the rewards can be breathtaking — elemental, raw, and utterly unforgettable.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival & Orientation
You arrive by midday (workshop begins from 12 noon) at the woodland lodge just a few minutes drive from the entrance to Glen Affric (you will be sent exact GPS address). After settling in and a group briefing, we’ll head straight to Glen Affric for a golden-hour shoot and orientation in one of the most photogenic groves on the glen floor.

Day 2 & 3 — Woodland Immersion
Full days of exploration. Depending on weather and group preference, we’ll photograph in Glen Affric, Glen Cannich, and Glen Strathfarrar. Each has its own distinctive character — from the bold shapes of Caledonian pine to dense birch woodlands glowing in afternoon light. On one of these days, if conditions suit, we may make a longer trip to Assynt for an entirely different (but equally magical) forest experience.

Day 4 — Farewell to the Forest
An early start for a dawn shoot — often the most atmospheric time in the glens — continuing to shoot until midday. The workshop ends at 12 noon.

 What’s Included:

• Three nights of accommodation in a private, single occupancy room

• Four days of personalised tuition in the field with Dem Oral

• Transport to and from all shoot locations during the workshop to and from our woodland lodge base just outside of Glen Affric. 

• Image feedback and post-processing advice sessions in the evenings

• Optional longer day trip to Assynt if weather and group interest allows

What’s Not Included:
Flights or travel to the Scottish Highlands, camera or travel insurance, food and drink (although we’ll coordinate a supermarket run and can optionally dine at local eateries — food is generally excellent and reasonably priced in the area). The expectation is you will make your own way to the woodland lodge near the entrance to Glen Affric. This is approximately 45 minutes drive from Inverness for guests without their own vehicle pick up/drop-off from Inverness Airport/Railway station may be possible. Please enquire directly with Dem prior to booking and he will do his best to accommodate  

How to purchase/book: All bookings and payment for your workshop place is made via this website. You can secure your place: 

1) With a non-refundable deposit of £500 via this website, with the remaining balance payable direct to Demiray Oral no later than 6 weeks before arrival day ie. 30th Aug 2026 (once the remaining balance is paid this is also non-refundable) - I will be in touch nearer to the payment deadline to arrange collection of the final balance amount (£750 - payable by bank transfer) from you - Select the 'Deposit only' option to book your place in this way.

2) Payment in full up-front via this website, this is non-refundable but you get a £50 reduction in the total price for advanced payment - Select the 'Payment in full' option to book your place in this way.

1. A non-refundable deposit (if required) of the amount stated in the workshop description is required at the time of booking. It will only be refunded upon cancellation by Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s), or upon his/their discretion. However there is a grace period of 14 days in which a booking may be cancelled and the deposit refunded. 1-to-1 and small group workshops do not require a deposit however the 14 day grace period still applies.
2. Any cancellation by the Client must be made in writing or by email within 14 days to be eligible for a refund.
3. Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s) accepts no responsibility or liability for Clients who are unable to attend due to (but not limited to) illness, flight cancellation, family emergencies or other extenuating circumstances. Such eventualities are the responsibility of the Client. It is advised that appropriate insurance is sought to cover these scenarios. This is of significant importance where multi-day workshop tours are concerned.
4. Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s) reserves the right to cancel any workshop. Cancellations by Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s) will be subject to a full refund of the workshop fee, however flights and other bookings made by the Client will not be refunded. Cancellation will only occur due to force majeure or long in advance of the start date subject to under booking. It is advised that appropriate insurance is sought to cover cancellation. Force majeure is unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond my/our control such (but not limited to), fire, flood or adverse weather.
5. In the event of Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s) being unable to attend due to illness or other circumstances beyond my/our control the workshop will be cancelled and a full refund applied.
6. Photographic workshops are highly susceptible to weather and other factors. For this reason the outline itinerary and the workshop description must be taken as an indication of what may take place on the workshop, and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s).
7. Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s) does not accept liability or responsibility for death, bodily injury or illness caused to any clients booking a workshop with Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s) unless arising from the negligent act and/or omission of the company’s employees (whilst acting in the course of their employment). Any claims shall be subject to English Law in respect of any question of liability or quantum, and all proceedings shall be within the exclusive domain of the English Courts.
8. Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s) does not accept liability for any loss or additional expense caused by the delay or interruption to travel services through weather conditions, civil disturbance, industrial action, strikes, wars, floods or sickness. Such losses or additional expenses are the responsibility of the Client.
9. As the Client and participant in a Workshop it is your sole responsibility to ensure you, your belongings and equipment are adequately insured against injury and accident, accidental damage, loss, and theft, during the Workshop.
10. The Client hereby accepts sole responsibility for ensuring that they have adequate insurance cover for medical and accidental risks before, during or after the Workshop. This insurance should cover the Client in the event of medical rescue and/or repatriation costs (in the case of accident or illness). All personal belongings (luggage) and equipment remain the sole responsibility at all times of the Client.
11. It is the responsibility of the Client to ensure that they take heed of any instruction and/or advice given by Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s) and should the Client select any locations or take any route to a location of their own choosing or move away from close proximity to where Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s) is, they do so in their own independent and individual capacity and entirely at their own risk and will be deemed to be outside of the scope of the Workshop and no longer a part of the Workshop until such time as they return to within close proximity of Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s), such proximity to be within ear shot and eye sight of Demiray Oral (or nominated partnership photographer/s).
12. By making a booking you are agreeing to accept all of the above conditions.
13. This Product/Workshop is provided by Doral Consulting Limited, of which Demiray Oral Photography/Demiray Oral is the sole employee/delivery agent.