Wildshots

 A PTR Review of:  Wildshots,  Autumn Gold

Dedicated, organised, group photographic holiday

By Melanie

Location: Glenfeshie, Cairngorms, Scotland

Accommodation

Beautifully converted steading, with double and twin rooms having en-suite facilities and single rooms sharing a bathroom between two. Ready access to electricity in the rooms for charging batteries.

Price: £545

A typical day

Weather dependent: so up early for the light and back for breakfast, or a lie in.

Then a full day out, at various locations, staying out to capture the last light of the day if it looked like there would be any. Back to the steading in time for dinner, followed by get-together to discuss the day, the plans for the following day and a review of images.
 

Why Go?

Stunning scenery
Company of like-minded people
Introduction to an unfamiliar area
Tuition
New ideas
All meals included

What to take

Camera, memory/film, macro, wide-angle and telephoto lenses, tripod, batteries and chargers

Warm clothing, waterproof jacket and trousers, wellies, walking boots.

Highlights

This was the first dedicated photo trip I had taken (2004) and was somewhat apprehensive as my photographic skills were limited at that time. I need not have worried, the skills of the group were varied and the group leaders: Peter Cairns and John McPherson were two of the most encouraging and entertaining people you could have come across. Their agenda was to help you with your photography and not concentrate on capturing their own images, a fault that I've witnessed on other trips.

The company of the other visitors was delightful with some excellent banter.

The rooms and communal areas were clean, warm and very comfortable, with the two-tiered lounge being a fantastic place to congregate and share ideas and images at the end of the day.

The home cooked meals were superb with a cook ready to accommodate alternative dietary needs. Very welcome too was a plentiful supply of hot drinks and soup that came along with us on our trips.

Though a dedicated landscape holiday, there was plenty of time to indulge in some macro work; the fungi at that time of year were particularly plentiful and varied. A real bonus were the feeding stations set up in the grounds and my first opportunity of getting close enough to a red squirrel to photograph it.
 

Lowlights

The weather! The group leaders acknowledged that this was the worst weather they'd had for the 'Autumn Gold' trip. Despite that it was a thoroughly enjoyable week and they had a few alternatives up their sleeves for when the weather was truly awful.

Leaving, especially when the day after leaving the conditions turned spectacular.

Would I go again?

I would love to, but dates have not coincided with my time off work.

I would also be very keen to join one of their wildlife or overseas tours; they are very popular and book up quickly.

Wildshots has a very loyal customer base with clients returning time and time again, which is perhaps the only recommendation it needs.

(perhaps 5 star plus if the weather were guaranteed)