Scotland’s Ancient Forest Autumn Mentoring Workshop
21 - 25 October 2026
with Murray Livingston & Brad Carr
Total 4 nights/5 days, 21 - 25 October 2026 | £1850pp
Embark on an unforgettable 5 day all-inclusive autumn photography mentoring workshop set amongst the breathtaking scenery of Scotland’s Ancient Caledonian Forest. On this workshop, 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 mentoring workshop aimed at developing personal expression and storytelling; the creation of a portfolio of images from the trip will be actively encouraged and discussed. Expect not only to develop your practical and technical skills, but also to grow spiritually and psychologically. That being said, it is open to all skill levels with a desire for creative growth!
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: 2/5 Easy - 3/5 Moderate
Group Size: 6 Clients
Price: £1850 (£500 Deposit)
Scotland Autumn Woodland Photography Mentoring Workshop
October 2026 | £500 Deposit £1850 Full Payment
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✅ 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
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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.
Start your journey today!
Have any questions about the trip? Please reach out below.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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Murray Livingston
Landscape Photographer & Workshop Leader
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Brad Carr
Landscape Photographer & Workshop Leader
Tuition
You will be guided on this mentoring workshop 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 evenings, 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. As a team, Brad and Murray co-led a hugely successful weekend workshop in the Caledonian Forest in 2025.
We will spend our time finding unique compositions and areas of exploration. You will find some of our photography from the area on this page to give you a sense of the woodlands we will be visiting.
Experience-First Retreat
This trip is designed as an experience-first workshop. 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. We have found that these kinds of experiences out in nature are amongst the most life-fulfilling, and so we want to share that with others too.
Dean M.
“I had a marvellous two-day workshop in Glen Affric, Scotland, with Brad & Murray. Their knowledge and insight were essential in developing my photography to a new level. Being fairly new to woodland photography I found the woodlands quite overwhelming and between them they discussed and demonstrated how they break down the perceived overwhelming chaos and enabled me to see the woodland in a different way. Their tuition and guidance for me was transformative. I now go forward with a new perspective and seek to build on what new insights I have gained with Brad and Murray. I cannot thank you both enough, absolutely marvellous.”
Allister G.
“What a fabulous weekend spent in the majestic setting of Glen Affric. We were introduced to the scenery and surroundings by a pair of photographers who have the utmost respect for the environment and their clients. We had knowledgeable and thoughtful tuition throughout the whole weekend. There was also the relative luxury of time; time to be able to take in the scenery, time to compose and time to reflect.
The time Brad and Murray spent tutoring us was immense, not just a case of “have you tried this?”, but more of an exploration of why are we making a particular frame, what drew us to it, and then the technical tuition on how to achieve it. I loved how there was an element of mindfulness about all aspects of the workshop, from respecting the place and each other to approaching each frame and spending a moment to take in the majesty around us.
I'm very pleased with the work I made, and I feel that my landscape photography has improved enormously.”
Further Details
This workshop is open to all. Fitness required is a basic level. Participants should be able to carry day packs with their own camera gear for 6km and 150m of ascent in a single day on very 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 waterproof 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 workshop with all of you! Prepare to enhance your skills, expand your vision, and capture memories that will last a lifetime.
Scotland Autumn Woodland Photography Mentoring Workshop
October 2026 | £500 Deposit £1850 Full Payment