Photographer's Guide to Scotland: Great Photo Opportunities in a Celtic Country

Scotland: That beautiful, mystical, mysterious Celtic country that is part of the United Kingdom in name only. It has a breath and life all its own, as anyone who has been there will admit. If you're traveling to Scotland as a photographer, get ready to be constantly utilizing your camera. Everywhere you look, photo opportunities abound. From old castles to lakes to quiet harbors and more, Scotland is an amazing, lovely country with lots of charm. In this article I'm focusing on castles and natural scenery, but there are countless Scottish villages and cities well worth the visit. Here are some great photo opportunities for Scotland explorers:

Scotland's Amazing Lakes and Stunning Natural Scenery

(1) Loch Ness. All right, so maybe catching a photo of Nessie is very rare, but Loch Ness is famous for more than its monster. Try taking a photo of the loch that also captures the intriguing ruins of Urquhart Castle, or consider waiting for an overcast day when the clouds reflect in the water (considering Scotland's often dreary weather, this shouldn't take too long!) The hills that rise from the shores of the loch are also worth some memorable photos.

(2) Grampian Mountains. For some breathtaking Scottish views, make sure to capture the Grampian Mountain chain if possible. These aren't like other mountains; they're grassy and stretch into some odd, flowing shapes. One of the most picturesque sights along the Grampian chain is Ben Nevis, rising over 4,000 feet.

(3) Durness. This area of Scotland has many great photo opportunities. With stunning sea views, a lighthouse, and beautiful sloping cliffs lowering gently until they touch the water, it's definitely worth a visit. You can find the lighthouse at Cape Wrath. Since part of this area is manned by the military, check ahead to see if restrictions apply at the time of the visit. Durness has tough terrain but some lovely scenery; just make sure to keep the camera handy.