Whispers of the Highlands:
A Dreamy Journey Through Scotland With Dogs & Horses
In August 2024, I set off on a 7-day photography trip through the Scottish Highlands. From ancient castles to endless lochs, from wild weather to moments of stillness, every step was about chasing the soul of Scotland with my camera.
7
Days Spent
2,785
Kilometers Traveled
5214
Photos Taken
3
Castles Visited
28
Animals Photographed
3
Weather Types Experienced
The decision came quickly, almost impulsively, a post from Ellen, a few example photos, and suddenly something deep inside me knew: I had to be there. The moment I booked the trip, it felt as if I could already breathe in the cool Scottish air. Coming from the golden desert of Abu Dhabi, I longed for the rolling green hills, the purple heather, the stillness of the lochs. This wasn’t just another photography trip. It was a chance to capture the soul of Scotland through the eyes of its animals, to learn from fellow photographers, and to challenge myself to see differently. It was also something more intimate: a time-out from stress, a return to nature, and a gift to myself, knowing that the images I would create here could become part of my life’s work. What I didn’t know yet was how much this journey would change me, not just as a photographer, but as a person.
Behind the Scenes: The Journey
Welcomed by the Real Scotland Highlands
Scotland didn’t wait long to show her true colors. The moment we landed, the wind and rain wrapped us in that famous “Scottish welcome.” Strangely enough, I loved it: the smell of wet grass, the dramatic skies, the highlands, the way the air itself felt like a movie scene. And while midges are usually the uninvited guests of any trip, we only had one location where they really tried to join the photoshoot.
💡 We only got attacked by midges once. That feels like winning the lottery in the Scottisch highlands.
A Team of Dreamers
Our group was a mix of Belgian photographers and one Dutch participant, with Ellen and Lieselot orchestrating everything behind the scenes. Locations, transportation, models, it all ran so smoothly that we could just focus on creating. Shooting side by side with other photographers was a joy in itself. We learned from each other constantly: comparing corners, angles, details. At times we were literally stacked on top of one another, laughing while trying to squeeze into the perfect spot for the perfect shot.
💡 Imagine nine photographers crouched in a row, all aiming for the exact same horse’s eye.
Sunlight in Scotland
While Scotland is known for its moody weather & the highlands. We were greeted with something rarer: sunshine. Most shoots unfolded under blue skies, and to our delight, we didn’t even have to rise painfully early for sunrise sessions. A few locations asked for small hikes, leading us to hidden gems worth every step. And sometimes, those moments of risk made the best memories: me hopping across wet stones with my camera for the perfect angle, or balancing on a patch of grass in the water to shoot from a side I never tried again.
💡 Yes, I risked my camera to jump across wet stones, but the shot was worth it.
Unexpected Surprises
The itinerary was full of wonders, but the Scottisch highlands had a few surprises of her own. Towering horse statues. Shimmering lakes that appeared out of nowhere. Even a cheeky pony ride. What impressed me most, though, were the models. Perfectly prepared, incredibly patient, and so attuned to what was asked of them, they made our jobs feel effortless.
💡 The models were so good that half the time it felt like they were directing us.
Life on the Road
The truth behind the photos? Traveling heavy. Between computers, lenses, and camera bodies, every car ride felt like a round of luggage Tetris. Yet somehow, it always worked out. Every place we stayed had its own magic: warm beds, home-cooked meals, and the gift of being closer to the next shoot. The schedule gave us space to breathe, to rest, even to sneak in editing time. The balance was just right. You can see it in the photos: the calm, the energy, the magic all woven into the images we brought home.
💡 The hardest challenge of the trip? Playing Tetris with everyone’s lugages.
The Results
After all the hikes, the rain showers, the stone-hopping, and the endless giggles behind the lens. Here it is: The Scottish highlands through my eyes.
This trip wasn’t about taking “nice pictures.” It was about capturing the soul of a land that feels both ancient and alive. The animals, the light, the landscapes: every frame carries a story. Some images came after careful patience, waiting for the right shift of clouds. Others happened in an instant, a fleeting glance or a movement too beautiful to stage.
🎥 Final Video
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📸 Favorite Frames
Locations & Magic
Every place we visited in Scotland carried its own kind of spell: sometimes wild and untamed, sometimes quiet and tender, always unforgettable.
Edinburgh
The city where our journey began. A place of history and charm, where cobbled streets and castle views made the perfect prologue. Edinburgh felt like stepping into another time, and yet it pulsed with creative energy.
Inver & Ossian’s Hall
A hidden gem of waterfalls and forest paths, where the roar of water mingled with birdsong. Ossian’s Hall felt like a secret carved into nature, a place where the light played tricks and every angle invited a new story.
Kingussie & Aviemore
Nestled in the Highlands, these towns gave us landscapes that seemed endless, rolling hills, sweeping skies, and the quiet strength of rural Scotland. Here, the animals felt at home in their element, and so did we.
Loch Garten & Loch Morlich
Still waters, mirror-like reflections, and forests embracing the shoreline. Loch Garten whispered of calm, while Loch Morlich gave us drama: light shifting, clouds racing, a photographer’s dream.
Ruthven Barracks
Ruins rising against the sky, telling stories of battles long gone. Standing there, camera in hand, it felt like history itself was posing for us.
Torduff Reservoir
A softer, quieter place. The kind where you pause, breathe deeply, and let the silence sink in. Sometimes it’s not about the grand view, but about the stillness in between.
Grangemouth & The Kelpies
Majestic horse statues, towering and otherworldly. They were both surreal and symbolic, reminding me why Scotland feels so tied to the spirit of animals.
Nine Mile Burn & Falkirk
Rolling hills and open spaces, the kind of landscape where the wind itself becomes part of the story. Falkirk carried both grit and grace, contrasts that make for striking frames.
Peggyslea Farm
One of the most heartwarming stops. Horses, ponies, and the gentle rhythm of farm life. It was a place of connection, where our subjects weren’t just models, but storytellers themselves.
Blackness Castle
Dramatic, powerful, and steeped in history. Its walls and waterfront gave us images that looked like they belonged in an epic film. Standing there at sunset, it was impossible not to feel the weight of centuries.
Scotland Photo Trip Mini Checklist
A few gentle reminders before you head into the land of wild weather and quiet magic:
• Make sure your gear is rainproof
• Pack layers that dry quickly and feel comfortable
• Bring extra batteries: the cold eats them fast
• Keep a wide angle handy for sweeping landscapes
• Carry a telephoto for wildlife or distant scenes
• Add one creative lens to play with (you never know what Scotland will give you)
• And maybe most important: prepare well, then let Scotland surprise you
If you want the full, step-by-step Scotland Photo Trip Checklist with gear suggestions, packing tips, workflow notes and the small things photographers always forget, you can get it delivered straight to your inbox.
Closing Reflection
Scotland has a way of lingering in your mind long after you leave. Its misty mornings, windswept hills, and quiet lochs feel like they’ve been waiting for you to capture them. Every shot you take is more than a photograph; it’s a memory, a feeling, a story frozen in time.
A photo trip here isn’t just about checking off locations. It’s about slowing down, breathing in the wild beauty, and letting yourself be moved by the land. Some moments will surprise you: the soft glow of sunlight breaking through clouds, the curious gaze of a Highland cow, or the hush of a remote castle ruin at dawn.
Take your time, trust your instincts, and let your camera follow your heart. In Scotland, the journey and the images are inseparable: the magic lies in being fully present, embracing imperfection, and capturing the soul of the land, one frame at a time.
Want to read more about my travels?
Scotland stirred something in me, that craving for wild places, shifting light, and the kind of silence that lets you hear yourself again. And it didn’t stop there.
My next adventure took me even further into the raw, untamed north. A landscape shaped by fire and ice, wind and time. A place that challenged me, softened me, and changed the way I photograph.
I’ll tell you all about that journey in my next blog.
For now, let’s just say this: the world has so much more waiting, and I can’t wait to bring you along.
