Scotland Ancient Caledonian Forest Autumn Photography Retreat

21 - 25 October 2026

with Murray Livingston & Brad Carr

Total 4 nights/5 days, 21 - 25 October 2026 | £1850pp

This workshop is forthcoming. Please use the form below to register your interest! Contact us for a detailed itinerary, what to expect, and more about the tutors.

Embark on an unforgettable 5 day all-inclusive autumn photography retreat set amongst the breathtaking scenery of Scotland’s Ancient Caledonian Forest. On this retreat, we’ll spend our time photographing three wonderful glens: Glen Affric, Glen Strathfarrar, and Glen Mullardoch. Under the expert guidance of acclaimed photographers Murray Livingston and Brad Carr, you'll explore majestic woodland vistas looking over the wider landscape, gnarly ancient forests, intimate small scenes, and learn about the re-wilding and conservation efforts being undertaken in this important habitat. This immersive experience is designed to enhance your photography skills, from capturing grand landscapes to discovering intimate compositions.

This is a project based workshop aimed at developing personal expression and storytelling; the creation of a portfolio of images from the trip will be actively encouraged and discussed. It is open to all skill levels.

The Ancient Caledonian Forest is Scotland’s native woodland found in remote pockets of the highlands. Its serene beauty and rarity make it a haven for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. We will base ourselves from a fine highland accommodation, The Cnoc Hotel, perfectly positioned to make daily excursions into the forests. Distances covered on foot and elevation gains are moderate; a basic level of fitness is required. The trip will be limited to 6 places (plus Murray & Brad).

Key Information

Dates: 21 - 25 October 2026

Duration: 4 Nights / 5 Days

Accommodation: Hotel

Physicality: Easy

Group Size: 6 Clients

Price: £1850 (£500 Deposit)

    • ✅ All accommodation, including 4 Nights at a Scottish Hotel, perfectly positioned for daily excursions into the Caledonian forest

    • ✅ All transport during the trip

    • ✅ 1-1 and group tuition for the entire trip, including presentations from the tutors

    • ✅ Breakfasts and dinners at our hotel, and various hot drinks on location

    • ✅ Transfers to & from Inverness Airport

    • ✅ Expert location advice and photographic guiding

  • This allows us plenty of space on location for photography, an excellent 3:1 teacher to client ratio, as well as a more intimate setting to get to know each other.

A forest scene with a slightly bent tree, moss-covered trunk, and brown ferns on the ground, bathed in warm sunlight with fog in the background.

Day 1

Arrive at Inverness Airport, where we’ll meet and begin our journey to our accommodation. Keep an eye out for photo opportunities en-route, before a briefing at our hotel. Evening photography at local woodland spot.

A scenic landscape of a mountain lake surrounded by autumn-colored trees and rolling hills under a cloudy sky.

Day 2

An early start for a 3–4 km walk deep into the heart of the forest. Today’s focus is on Grand Landscapes, capturing the wider dramatic scenery of the woodland within its mountain setting. We will stay out on location all day.

A yellow autumn leaf resting on a bed of dry pine needles and small rocks.

Day 3

A focus will be placed on Intimate Landscapes for the day, exploring incredible textures, geology, and abstract forms of the forest. Sunset photography will be exploratory, attempting to discover new compositions and bringing together our understanding of intimate & grand scenes.

A scenic view of a lake with trees on the shore and mountains in the background, blurred golden leaves in the foreground.

Day 4

This day is dedicated to creative exploration. You will be given the opportunity to focus on the development of your project portfolio for the trip. An emphasis will be on refining ideas and creating photographs that tell your story of the forest.

A scenic valley with colorful autumn trees, a river flowing through the valley, surrounded by green hills and mountains in the distance.

Day 5

Sadly our final day before leaving the forest behind, we’ll take a short drive to photograph Caledonian woodland for sunrise. Breakfast back at the hotel before departing for Inverness airport, reflecting on memories that will last a lifetime!

Meet the Team

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man with a beard and short hair wearing a The North Face jacket outdoors.

    Murray Livingston

    Landscape Photographer & Workshop Leader

  • Black and white portrait of a man with long hair, a beard, wearing a fedora hat with a patterned band, and a light-colored collared shirt, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

    Brad Carr

    Landscape Photographer & Workshop Leader

Tuition

You will be guided on this retreat by Murray Livingston and Brad Carr, both internationally-recognised photographers. They will be on hand at all times for any level of tuition needed, including location advice, composition, camera settings, artistic evaluations, and many other topics. We are both deep thinkers and will be asking searching questions to push your creative boundaries. The small group size means both Murray and Brad will be able to provide you with 1-1 attention, as well as tuition in a group setting. Both photographers have unique styles and approaches which ensures you will be able to learn a variety of ideas and techniques. During the evening, we will perform image reviews and both workshop leaders will give presentations.

Brad has extensive woodland photography experience in throughout the UK, having photographed and explored temperate rainforests in Wales over the last 6 years; Murray has photographed and led workshops across Scotland specialising in visual storytelling through long-term projects, most recently about the Ancient Caledonian Forest itself. We will spend our time finding unique compositions and areas of exploration. You will find some of Murray’s photography from the area on this page to give you a sense of the woodlands we will be visiting. View Brad’s exceptional portfolio on his website here.

Experience-First Retreat

This trip is designed as an experience-first retreat. What does this mean? It means appreciating the opportunity to spend time in one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth! While we are all keen photographers & artists, an equal weighting should also be placed on the chance to connect with nature, get to know each other better “around the campfire”, and take a breather from modern life. I have found that these kinds of experiences out in nature are amongst the most life-fulfilling, and so I want to share that with others too.

Snow-covered trees in a foggy winter landscape with soft sunlight.
Tree branches covered in frost against a dark winter background, illuminated by sunlight.
A snow-covered tree in a winter landscape, with snow on branches and ground.
Tree covered in snow with sunlight shining through its branches.
A foggy forest scene featuring a slanted tree with moss-covered bark surrounded by dense orange and brown ferns, with faint sunlight breaking through the trees.
A forested hillside with trees in fall colors, illuminated by sunlight, with rocky outcroppings at the top.
A dense forest scene with moss-covered, twisted trees and autumn-colored leaves.
A scenic landscape of a lake surrounded by green trees and rolling hills with brown and orange foliage during sunset, under a cloudy sky.
A scenic view of a river flowing through a dense forest with trees displaying autumn colors, on a hillside with sunlight highlighting the foliage.
A scenic view of a river winding through a forest with colorful autumn foliage, mountains in the background, and a cloudy sky.
A vast landscape view of a mountainous region with a river winding through green and autumn-colored forests, under a cloudy sky.
Black and white photo of a misty mountainous forest with tall, sparse trees across rolling terrain.
Forested area with white-barked trees and yellow and brown ferns with fall foliage.
A rain-soaked river running through a lush, colorful wetland with green trees, mountains with snowy peaks in the background, and dark clouds overhead.
A lush green and brown valley with trees and hills, a river running through the landscape, and mountains in the background, during autumn.
A landscape with trees in the foreground, a lake in the middle, and mountains in the background, marked by a rainbow and dark clouds overhead.
A landscape of a hilly area with sparse trees, a small river, and patches of grass under a cloudy sky.
A solitary, windswept pine tree with snow on its branches and ground, against a blank, snowy background.
Snow-covered trees on a foggy hillside, winter landscape
Frost-covered trees in a winter landscape under a cloudy sky.
Snow-covered tree leaning in the foreground with a hill and a distant snow-covered tree in the background, under a white overcast sky.
Frost-covered trees on a hillside with sunlight shining through in a winter landscape
Snow-covered mountain with sparse, windblown pine trees in the foreground.
Snow-covered trees in a winter landscape with foggy background.
Frost-covered trees and grass in a winter forest scene
Sunlight shining over a forest with snow-covered trees on a hillside.
Reflections of bare trees on a rippling blue water surface with a slightly abstract appearance.
A winter scene of leafless trees with frosted branches in a forest, covered in snow.
Frost-covered trees along a calm, reflective river in a winter landscape
Landscape of mountains with trees in the foreground and a visible full moon in the early evening sky.
Frost-covered trees reflected in a still lake with foggy background

Further Details

Fitness required is a basic level. Participants should be able to carry day packs for 6km and 150m of ascent in a single day on good foot paths. We will be exploring woodlands and glens which may have steep slopes, sometimes venturing off path. Walking poles are recommended for extra stability as needed.

Brad and Murray are both highly experienced walkers and will guide the group with expert navigation and safety to ensure our overall enjoyment in the outdoors. Inclement weather is always a risk in Scotland. Please bring appropriate rain clothing and footwear. Your safety will always be a priority and we will adjust the trip according to conditions. In addition to your camera gear, I can provide a list of suggested items to bring.

The following are not included in the price:

  • Airfares or additional travel requirements

  • Any necessary visas or other travel requirements (please check via your government website)

  • Travel Insurance (required)

  • Additional food & drink (extra snacks & alcoholic beverages for instance)

  • Gratuities or personal spending

Flights to the UK, are frequent with many providers all over the world; we will be providing an airport transfer to & from Inverness Airport. A £500 non-refundable deposit is necessary to book your place, with full payment due 12 weeks prior to the start date. Please refer to my standard booking terms and conditions. 

Have a question? Reach out via the form below!

Brad and I are excited to adventure into some of Scotland’s most beautiful woodlands and are looking forward to this outdoors creative experience with all of you! Prepare to enhance your skills, expand your vision, and capture memories that will last a lifetime.