Photographing Scotland: How To Open Up And See

Travel and photography are natural partners and whether you’re carrying a sophisticated DSLR, a pocket-sized point-and-shoot or an iPhone, today’s technology has made it easier than ever to look, snap, and share.

But seldom does a photograph succeed because of technology. It succeeds for one reason: because the person behind the camera took the time to see. If you’re like most travelers, you want to bring back memorable photographs of your trips. Yet how many of us are packing everything but time to see into our vacations?

On a recent business trip to Scotland I discovered a one-day photography workshop on the Isle of Mull, an island off the country’s west coast boasting some of the finest and most varied scenery in the Inner Hebrides. Traveling solo and without a car, the opportunity to visually explore with a local photographer sounded like the perfect compliment to a week of indoor meetings.

Who knew it would be pouring and blowing a gale on the one day I had available for the excursion. But despite the conditions, photographer Sam Jones of Islandscape Photography met me, and two other intrepid travelers enrolled in the workshop, at the ferry, prepared to either tough it out in the rain or shuttle us to the local distillery for a tasting tour.

Read my full story on photographing Scotland at National Geographic Traveler…

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Scotland - Choose Your Adventure

I’m in Scotland this week - one of my favorite places on the planet - to attend the 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit. Before the conference, I’m spending a few dreamy days at the Hotel du Vin, Glasgow, then I’m off to the Isle of Mull for a few days exploring with Wild Scotland.  I’ll be sharing more about that soon, but in the meantime, to whet your appetite for your own Scotland escape check out these recommended adventures from my favorite travel search engine -TravelDragon.com.

Heart of the Highlands: A Unique Exploration of Scotland

Heart of the Highlands: A Unique Exploration of Scotland by Lindblad Expeditions Departs May-August Scotland’s magnificent Highlands are a beautiful region of mountains, lochs, glens and stately castles. Heart of the Highlands, offered exclusively in the U.S. by Lindblad Expeditions, introduces travelers to the wonders of the Highlands from the vantage of the inland waterway that links Scotland’s famed lochs. Until recently, no ship could take passengers through this region due to its size-limiting waterways. Now you can voyage through this scenic countryside in spectacular style: aboard the 54-guest luxury yacht Lord of the Glens.

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Highland Fling: A Connoisseur's Whisky Trail

Aficionados of Scottish Whisky can spend their days visiting and touring several of Scotland’s most popular distilleries and themed events while enjoying their evenings (and off days) at one of Connoisseurs Scotland’s 23 distinctive upscale hotel properties. Three of Scotland’s most popular distillery attractions are conveniently located near one or more Connoisseur Scotland property, offering their own reasons to visit:


• The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa is located close to the Malt Whisky Trail — a 68-mile route through the picturesque glens of Speyside, connecting several of the country’s finest distilleries. The five-star country hotel is offering a “Partner Stay Free” package, allowing a second guest to stay for free when a single rate Executive or Deluxe room is booked Monday-Thursday; the offer includes a full Scottish breakfast and runs through the year. Amenities include world class salmon fishing, championship golf, nearby historic castles, chefs specializing in the best of Grampian produce and a selection of more than 400 wines and 100 malt whiskies.

• “Whisky Live” is a world-wide celebration taking place in cities from Glasgow to Tokyo, bringing together hundreds of different whiskies for tasting by both industry professionals and novices. Hotel du Vin (at One Devonshire Gardens) is the perfect host for those partaking, conveniently located in the fashionable West End of Glasgow. The boutique hotel has walled-in gardens, impeccable service and a new bistro and bar and is offering a free half or whole bottle of Macallan to those booking Standard/Club or Superior rooms, respectively, and a complimentary in-house whisky tasting to those booking suites.

• The Glasshouse, Edinburgh’s five-star boutique hotel - voted by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top 50 hottest hotels - is ideal for those wishing to visit the popular Glenkinchie — the 19th-century distillery known for its highly regarded single malt whisky. The Glasshouse is currently offering three nights for the price of two, with regular prices starting at £185 ($250) per room per night. Built behind the facade of the 150-year-old Lady Glenorchy church, the hotel features a two-acre, lilac-scented roof garden, in-room massages and an impressive whisky selection. The special three-night offer, valid through July, includes full Scottish breakfast for two, a luxury fruit plate, noon checkout and VAT.

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