Mull Otter Masterclass

Please Contact me to be put on the waiting list for 2024's Masterclasses.

Mull is often referred to as Eagle Island, but it could just as easily be called Otter Island, as it is arguably the best place in the UK to see otters in the wild.

With many hours of experience of finding and tracking these often elusive creatures, I now offer a 5 day photographic tour based on the Isle Of Mull, focusing on otters.

On this fully catered tour, based in a beautifully and luxurious converted Chapel, I will take you to some of the best sites to see otters, and share with you how to use fieldcraft to get you close enough to capture some wonderful images. 

While the otters will be the main focus of the tour, other species encountered on the island, such as golden and white-tailed eagles, hen harriers, short-eared owls, merlins, divers, deer and seals, we never pass-by a good photographic opportunity.

With all the cooking, cleaning and driving taken care of by Andy, your host. You will sit back, relax and enjoy the Masterclass. All you have to do is think only about the next shot, or even better dream of otters encounters you've just had!

At the end of each day after a home-cooked meal, images taken can be reviewed and constructive criticism applied to see how they can be improved upon, through different angles or approaches to the shot, as well as post-processing, using software packages such as Lightroom and Topaz.

Andy's family have owned a home on the island of Mull since 1965, ever since he can remember he has loved spending time there. He cherishes his childhood memories of the carefree times spent there, searching for wildlife and collecting shells on the beautiful and unspoiled beaches. 

As he grew and his attention was drawn towards wildlife photography, he has found himself making regular trips to the island to photograph its abundant wildlife. In recent years Mull has been very kind to Andy and every trip has rewarded them handsomely with many memorable wildlife encounters and images. In 2021 Andy's third book titled 'The Secret Life of the Otter' was published by Sandstone Press and was met with widespread critical acclaim.

To have a close encounter with a wild Otter is a very special moment; to get close enough to capture good images takes stealth and exceptional field craft. To predict the behaviour takes time and experience, of course there is a certain amount of luck involved.
We believe strongly about the ethics of wildlife photography. When photographing Otters our goal is for the Otter to have absolutely no idea of our presence, this is especially prevalent when photographing a mother with cubs, the last thing we want is to separate a family, we will always air on the side of caution.

What will you learn?

• How to look for Otters.

• How to look for tell tale signs of their presence and likely habitats/locations.

• The correct approach using tried and tested field craft techniques.

• Choosing the best position to photograph them.

• Knowing when to back off and leave the Otters alone – Otter welfare.

• Using your camera to capture the optimum images, tuition when and if it is required. 

Fitness:

To photograph Otters effectively requires an equal measure of both agility and stealth, at times over slippery boulders. If you are less able to dash along a slippery shoreline, as long as two clients of the same ability book as one party I can adapt to the party's needs. If you want to discuss your fitness level or ability with us please do get in touch.

What’s included:

• Five Days of Guided Photography

• All transport once on Mull.

• Five Nights of Accommodation.

• Accommodation in a luxury converted chapel with en-suite rooms, cosy wood burning fire. 

• Maximum of only TWO clients per week.

• Located just 25 metres from prime otter territory!

• No Single Suppliments or Shared Rooms.

• All guiding and tuition -  patient and courteous help and advice as and when it’s required.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Soft drinks and snacks.

• Evening Image Review/Critique and assistance with Image Processing.

• Fun, banter, hilarity and jokes, Photographing wildlife should be an enjoyable experience. 

• Although I'm serious about helping to obtain the best possible images, this will be done in a fun and relaxed way. 

Recommended Equipment

• Waterproof Clothing/Gloves/Hats and most importantly a waterproof cover for your camera, made from a quiet material, not a plastic bag!

• Tripod or Monopod (if required).

• Dark/Camouflage jacket/trousers made from a quiet material - Essential for Otter photography.

• Minimum 500mm lens on full frame DSLR - Or 400mm on a crop sensor camera - Ideally 500-600mm works best.

What’s not included:

• Alcoholic drinks 

• Items of a personal nature

• Travel/Cancellation Insurance

• Travel to Mull

Cost: £1695

Group Size: Two
 

Tours start at 17:00 on the Sunday and will end at 15:00 on the Friday. 

A non-refundable deposit of £495 will be required at the time of booking.

The balance will be due twelve weeks before the tours start date.