Welcome to Northshots photo-tours!
From our spectacular base in the heart of Scotland's Cairngorms National Park, we have now been operating our unique blend of photo-tours for more than ten years. It continues to be our aim to provide a true photographic adventure in friendly, informal surroundings combining superb opportunities with hands-on learning for both beginner and expert alike.
This really is a special part of the world and our tours here are structured to allow you to fully indulge your passion for wildlife and landscape photography.
We look forward to welcoming back old friends and new faces.
PETER CAIRNS & AMANDA FLANAGAN
Background
Northshots is a specialist nature photography tour operator based in the Scottish Highlands. We offer a range of photographic tours and workshops both here in Scotland and to carefully selected destinations overseas. Northshots is run by professional nature photographer Peter Cairns and his wife Amanda Flanagan.
Approach
From humble beginnings, we have established a reputation for high quality wildlife and landscape photographic experiences. Our philosophy remains one of offering a first-class service in a relaxed and friendly group atmosphere suitable for beginners and expert alike.
Groups
Successful nature photography is difficult in large groups so we maintain as small a group size as is practical. When considering guide/guest ratios, we take into account the location, the target subject(s) and the type of accommodation and transport. Group size is indicated for each tour.
Guests
Our guests span a wide range of age and experience but all share in common the pleasure of watching and photographing nature and an ability to enjoy themselves as part of a like-minded group. We welcome “non-photographic” partners where the location is appropriate.
Tuition
We have always avoided formal classroom tuition, preferring instead to spend time in the field gaining hands-on experience. Our guides are sensitive however to your needs and will ensure personal advice and assistance is given whenever requested. More formal tuition is often given in evening slide lectures.
Guides
We employ a small team of guides who are selected not only on their ability as nature photographers but on their logistical and inter-personal skills. You will find our guides knowledegable, attentive and importantly, good company.
Accommodation
Our base in Scotland is a delightfully converted steading in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park . Our holidays here are run in “house-party” style creating a fun and informal atmosphere (see our home).
Timetable and fitness
Our daily routine is determined by the time of year, location and target species. Our guides like to retain flexibility to maximize the best lighting conditions or to take advantage of when particular wildlife species are most active. Details of what each tour entails is given in our itineraries.
Guarantees
In order to comply with EC Package Travel Regulations 1992, all payments made to Northshots will be deposited in a trust account until the tour is completed.
Travel arrangements
We can arrange rail and coach transfers from Kingussie. We can also arrange airport transfers from Inverness for a small fee. For tours involving international flights, we will provide details of our recommended flight and ask you to pay either online or via our flight partner. We are not ATOL registered and it is therefore illegal for us to sell flights directly to the public.
Insurance
For all of our tours we require that you take out appropriate insurance cover against cancellation, personal loss and/or injury. This should take account of the activities to be undertaken and should cover medical rescue and repatriation. We will require details of your policy beforehand.
Communication
If you have any queries about any aspect of our tours, please feel free to contact us. We want you to be entirely comfortable with the tour you have selected so please let us know of any niggling doubts or questions before you book.
