Quest Photography

2007

By popular demand, these acclaimed tours have been expanded to include two new exciting destinations this year - Iceland and the Isle of Harris & Lewis. These trips are for photo enthusiasts, including beginners, who are given appropriate instruction. They are not whistle stop tours, but are designed to allow everyone to spend time in a location for in-depth photography. There are, unfortunately, again some price increases due to increased fuel and accommodation costs, but compared with other operators, these trips are still excellent value! Please note that the Ireland and Iceland destinations are now administered by Questphoto Limited. All trips are led by Colin Westgate.

Please click on the Course Title to get more information about the course content and fees.

Winter Landscape, Glen Coe and Rannoch Moor, Scotland

Hotel based, 8 nights, including overnight stops each way. Free minibus travel to and from destination; Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 February 2007

The Glen Coe region contains some of the most magnificent and spectacular scenery anywhere in the United Kingdom, and at this time of the year it the mountains are usually enhanced by a covering of snow. Many photographers never get the chance to see this stunning landscape in the winter, and a week of photography in the area should guarantee some good pictures! Of course, the weather plays a vital part, but even in bad conditions, it is usually possible to capture the forbidding mood of the mountains, and the rivers and waterfalls should be flowing well. We will concentrate on Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor, Glen Etive and Glen Nevis, and the price includes a trip on the cable car to Aonoch Mor, near Ben Nevis. The itinerary will be kept flexible, as it will to some extent be weather dependent. Evenings will be spent viewing pictures from everyone. We will be staying in the McDonald Hotel, at the head of Loch Leven, with views down the Loch.

The minibus will leave Sussex early on Saturday morning, and will, wherever possible, collect passengers en route. If pick ups cannot be made from home, due to locality, they will be made elsewhere by arrangement. Overnight stops will be at the Beach House Hotel, Seahouses, Northumberland, each way, and are included in the cost.

Price £685, (deposit £100) (Single supplement £85)

10 places maximumFor those wishing to travel to Glen Coe independently, the price is reduced by £95. Price includes en route dinner and B&B, each way, and all meals (including packed lunches), and accommodation in Glen Coe. Price is for accommodation is on shared room basis; there is an £85 single room supplement. If you require a single room, this must be made clear at time of booking, and will be subject to availability. Minibus travel is free from pickup, put down, and travel during the week.

South West Ireland

8 nights, including overnight stops each way. Guest House based. Price includes ferry cost, accommodation and all meals in Ireland. Free minibus travel to, from and at, destination. Operated by Questphoto Limited. Saturday 17 March to Sunday 25 March 2007

The location for this trip is at Inch Strand, on the Dingle peninsula. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland, with more than 3 miles of sandy beach. From here, we will explore the peninsula and surrounding area. As well as landscape, there will be many other subjects, such as colourful shops and houses, and local characters. The friendliness of the Irish is renowned and we can be sure of a warm welcome. A day trip to the famous Burren will also be undertaken. Evening meals will be at a nearby pub, as the Guest House cannot provide these. For that reason, the price of these has not been included.

The bus will leave Sussex early Saturday morning, and will pick up from your home or nearby (where practicable) and travel to Bangor, N. Wales, where we will stay overnight before departing the following morning by ferry to Dun Laoghaire (near Dublin). We will then drive across Ireland to our destination on Dingle, arriving in time for an evening meal.

Price £750*, (not including evening meals) (deposit £100) (Single supplement)

10 places For those wishing to travel to Ireland independently, the price is reduced by £100. Price includes B&B each way, and all accommodation and packed lunches in Ireland, and the cost of the ferry. It does not include the cost of evening meals for the reason stated above. Accommodation is on a shared room basis, but twin rooms as singles are available, subject to a supplement of £85. Pick ups will be at or near your home, but where this is not possible, due to location this swill be elsewhere by mutually acceptable arrangement. Minibus travel to, from and in, Ireland is free.

Isle of Mull

Hotel based, 8 nights, including overnight stops each way. Free minibus travel to & from destination. Ferry cost included; Saturday 14 April to Sunday 22 April 2007

Unspoilt Isle of Mull is one of Scotland's most beautiful islands, with mountains, streams, and countless rocky inlets and beaches, as well as an abundance of seabirds. It is reached by regular ferry service from Oban. This will be a real get away from it all week, spent photographing remote landscapes and seascapes, and generally soaking up the atmosphere. In addition, a day will be spent on the romantic Iona, an island steeped in history, and only a short ferry trip from Fionnphort, on the south western tip of Mull. Weather permitting, the week will also include a trip to Staffa, a small island with spectacular basalt rock formations, including Fingal’s cave. There will, however, be a supplement for this, as the trip cannot be guaranteed. In the evenings, we will spend the time in discussions and looking at pictures from those present.

Accommodation will be at Pennygate Lodge, Craignure, a Georgian Manse set in extensive grounds overlooking the bay. The minibus will leave Sussex early on Saturday, and will, as far as possible, collect participants en route. An overnight stop will be made near the Scottish borders, and we will travel to Oban the following morning, arriving on Mull in time for an evening meal on the following day. The minibus will be used for daily excursions to photographic locations throughout the Island.

Price £725. (deposit £100) (Single supplement £85)

10 places maximum For those wishing to travel to Mull independently, the price is reduced by £110. Price includes en route overnight dinner and B&B each way, all meals and accommodation on Mull and Mull and Iona Ferry costs. Single rooms are limited (a supplement of £85 is payable) and most accommodation is on a shared room basis. Where it is not possible, due to location, to collect participants from near or at their home, this will be at a mutually acceptable location. Minibus travel to, from and on Mull is free.

Iceland

Hotel based tour, 11 nights, minibus travel (operated by Questphoto Limited); Wednesday 23 May to Sunday 3 June 2007

This is the trip everyone has been waiting for! Iceland is full of fabulous scenery, ranging from magnificent waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers, volcanoes (some still active!), lava fields, lakes, hot springs, geysers, and much more. It is difficult to take in everything during a relatively short visit, but the itinerary has been arranged to include as much variety as possible. Unlike other Quest trips, we will not be based at one place, but will tour round the island, using two vehicles, and staying in hotels en route. This will enable us to cover as much ground as possible and spend time at prime locations for photography. But the island is full of surprises, so there will be plenty of unscheduled stops as well! The population is only about 300,000, so you will never feel crowded, even in the capital city, Reykjavik. At this time of the year, the temperature will be cool, but it is unlikely to be very cold, and could even be warm enough for t-shirts! It will not get very dark either, so if you have the stamina, it may be possible to photograph through the night! We will certainly use the evening light where possible.

The provisional schedule is to leave Kevlavik (International airport) and head east via Thingvellir, Geysir, Gulfoss, and along the south coast on Route 1 (the ring road. We will then head north through the eastern highlands, to Myvatn, where there are thermal springs. From there, we will head west and then south, arriving in time to spend a day in Reykjavik before departing early the following morning Flights are available from Gatwick (British Airways), Stansted (Iceland Express) and Heathrow (Icelandair). The cost of flights is not included, as the amount is variable and you will wish to choose your point of departure. To get the best prices, book as early as you can. The cost of evening meals is also not included, as these can be expensive and you may wish to eat picnic style, especially as this will be more flexible. Food is readily obtainable at shops and garages, although some forward planning may be needed as these establishments can be spread quite widely.

Price £1295. (deposit £300) (Single supplement £300)

8 places maximum Price includes travel and accommodation in Iceland (B&B). It does not include flights or evening meals. Price is based in a shared twin room – a single supplement of £300 is, regrettably, payable, as there is no significant difference between the cost of a single and twin room.

Isles of Harris & Lewis

Hotel based, 7 nights, minibus travel from Inverness (operated by Questphoto Limited); Tuesday 25 September to Tuesday 2 October 2007

These Outer Hebridean islands are, in reality, only one island, which is divided into two parts, each very different from the other. Harris, in the south, is rocky and rugged, whereas Lewis is moorland in character. The well-known standing stones of Calanais (Callanish) are situated in the north. There are interesting beaches on both, the best known of these being at Luskentyre on Harris.

The islands are reached by ferry from Uig, in the north of Skye, and to avoid the long two-day drive, we will fly from Gatwick to Inverness, from where we will travel by minibus. As there is no Sunday ferry service, this trip will be from Tuesday to Tuesday. We will fly from Gatwick in the morning, arriving at Inverness midday, where we will pick up the bus, which will be used for the journey to Uig ferry terminal. The ferry leaves at 6 p.m., with a crossing time of just under 1 ¾ hours. We will be staying at the Macleod Hotel, at Tarbert, and will arrive there in time for our evening meal. For the return, we will leave Harris midday; have a relaxing journey across the north of Scotland. We will stay overnight on the mainland, and catch the afternoon flight home, arriving back at Gatwick at 6 p.m.

Price £875 (including flights) (deposit £150) (single supplement £95)

8 places Price includes flights and accommodation (full board) on Harris and the overnight stop on the return journey. It does not include transit meals and refreshments. Accommodation is on a shared room basis and a supplement is payable for single rooms. For those wishing to travel direct to Harris, the price is reduced by £150.

Isle of Skye

8 nights, including overnight stops each way. Free minibus travel to, from and at, destination; Saturday 20 October to Sunday 28 October 2007

This has proved to be Quest’s most popular Photoweek. It is not difficult to understand why, as the Misty Isle is one of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom, full of mood and mountains, rivers, bays and lochs. There is all that the landscape photographer could want - but Skye does not give it up that easily, as it is well known for the fickleness of its weather. But the weather makes the mood, and magic moments are never far away - if only the photographer is in the right place at the right time, and is ready! The photography week will be based at The Skye Picture House, near Broadford, which is run by photographers Steve & Gill Terry. It is situated in a stunning location, at the edge of a loch, with superb views, especially for the morning sunrise, and otters are often seen. Evenings will be taken up by discussions and shows of work from participants. A talk by photographer Ken Bryan, now living on Skye, will be arranged if he is available.

The minibus will leave Sussex early on Saturday, and will, if possible, pick you up en route. An overnight stop will be made near the Borders, and we will arrive on Skye in time for an evening meal on the following day. There will be opportunities for photography as we travel through Scotland. The minibus will be used for daily excursions to photographic locations throughout the Island. Departure will be early the following Saturday, with another en route overnight stop, returning to Sussex on Sunday evening.

Price £695, (deposit £100) (Single supplement £85)

8 placesFor those wishing to travel to Skye independently, the price is reduced by £80. Price includes en route dinner and B&B each way, and all meals and accommodation on Skye. Single rooms are limited (a supplement of £85 will be payable) and most accommodation is on a shared room basis. Where it is not possible, due to location, to collect participants from their home, pick up will be elsewhere by mutually acceptable arrangement. Minibus travel to, from and on, Skye is free

Northumberland and the Borders

Hotel based, 7 nights. Free minibus travel to & from destination; Saturday 10 November to Saturday 17 November 2007

During this week we will explore the superb coastline and inland landscape of unspoilt Northumberland. The beaches on the north east coast are some of the loveliest in the U.K., but as well as these, there are the Cheviot Hills, Roughting Lynn waterfall and several castles. The week will include a visit across the causeway to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and either Les Mclean, or David Lane will lead a landscape workshop on one of the days, as well as giving an evening talk. There will be plenty of subject matter to photograph, and the evening social activity will, as with all Quest trips, include showing and sharing our own work.

The minibus will leave Sussex early Saturday morning, and will collect passengers en route where this is practicable. This may be at your home or nearby, but if you live far off the route, special arrangements will be made.

Price £645, single supp. £50. (deposit £100)

8 to 10 placesPrice includes full board accommodation, with packed lunch. Price is based on sharing a twin room. Single room accommodation is available but a supplement of £60 is payable. If you require a single, you must make this clear when booking, Minibus travel is free from pick up, put down, and for travel during the week.