Shetland Seabird Photographic Workshop with Rachel Bigsby

Day 1

Our workshop will commence with pickups from either Sumburgh Airport or Lerwick before being transferred to our base for the next four nights in Brae. Here, Rachel will outline the plan for the week. After our welcome dinner, we may take a stroll down to the coast for our first potential wildlife encounters.

Day 2

Today, we will take two ferries to the island of Unst, the most northerly tip of the UK. We will spend the whole day at Hermaness National Nature Reserve, one of the most spectacular seabird colonies in Europe. Home to 220 pairs of Great Skuas, over 18,000 pairs of Northern Gannets and many Atlantic Puffins, it is a beautifully dramatic setting with sea cliffs that soar up to 170m, looking out to Muckle Flugga Lighthouse. The landscape and wildlife offer unrivalled, creative opportunities.

Day 3

After breakfast we will once again head north taking the ferry to the island of Feltar for a morning spent looking for wading birds such as Snipe, Curlew and Lapwing. With patience and luck, we may also see Red-Necked Phalarope or Red Throated Diver from the RSPB hide or the nearby Loch of Funzie.

In the afternoon, we will return back to Yell where the coast holds breeding Arctic Terns and Black Guillemots.

Day 4

Today we will revisit Hermaness National Nature Reserve, focussing our time around the ‘Saito’ corner of the reserve. Here we will work at a slow pace to master our creative techniques with the Northern Gannets and refine our photographic portfolios.

In the afternoon, we will visit a handful of the island's iconic Viking sites as well as smaller coastal wildlife locations.

Day 5

We will start with a prompt departure for an exclusive early morning boat trip to Noss Gannetry with Shetland Seabird Tours, where Rachel captured her award-winning image in Wildlife Photographer of the Year. This private charter allows us to experience the Gannet colony in conditions that very few will ever see; and photograph the birds as they plummet into the water at speeds of up to 60mph in their famous feeding frenzies.

Once back at harbour, we can spend a short allocation of free time browsing the independent shops and cafes in Lerwick, or photographing birds that may be around the harbour like Guillemots, Razorbills, Gulls and Arctic Terns.

We will then continue south and check in to our base for the next two nights at Sumburgh. If time allows, we will explore the cliffs of Sumburgh Head, home to hundreds of Puffins and other seabirds, including Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbill, Guillemot, Shag and Fulmar.

After an early dinner we will head out for a remarkable dusk experience on the island of Mousa where over 10,000 European Storm-petrels breed in and around the Iron-age Broch. We should also witness the ‘Simmer Dim’; the continual glow through the night as we are so far north.

Day 6

After a leisurely breakfast following our exciting late-night trip to Mousa, our final full day will begin focussing on the seabirds of Sumburgh Head, offering more opportunities to get close up with these endearing birds or explore the lighthouse museum. There is also an Arctic Tern colony close to the hotel which offers some superb photographic opportunities.

In the afternoon, we will make our way back to Lerwick for another unparalleled Gannet diving charter around the cliffs of Noss, offering a variation in light and behaviour.

Our day will conclude with a farewell meal in the hotel and, if conditions permit, a sunset session at Sumburgh Head.

Day 7

Following breakfast the tour will conclude at either Sumburgh Airport or Lerwick depending on your travel arrangements.

The itinerary outlined is indicative and Wild Discovery reserves the right to alter the itinerary if conditions require.