Harris and Lewis Photography Workshops - the Stunning Outer Hebrides

Breathtaking scenery

Located off the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Lewis and Harris is a small picturesque Island located North of Skye in the Outer Hebrides. Despite what the name suggests, Lewis and Harris is actually two parts of the one island. Stornoway is its largest town and lies on the east coast.

The islands are a landscape and seascape photographer’s paradise, boasting incredible scenery, rugged coastlines, pristine white sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and ancent historical landmarks.

Calanais Standing Stones

Harris and Lewis is packed with fascinating historical sites such as castles, historic buildings and Neolithic sites. The Calanais (Callanish) Standing Stones are quite possible the most famous and interesting to photograph. This wonderful stone circle looks great set against a fiery sky at sunrise or sunset.

Dramatic light & weather

The weather in the Outer Hebrides can change rapidly, leading to dramatic skies, rainbows, and mist-covered landscapes. This offers us a truly great opportunity to capture the interplay of light and shadow as it sculpts this unique terrain.

Capture the diversity

Explore the diverse and dramatic landscapes that Lewis and Harris has to offer. On our workshop, we will photograph the rugged mountains, stunning white beaches, capture the unique thatched black houses at Gearrannan, all the while surrounded by magnificent clear, turquoise seas!

Maryann Heidtke

recommends

The first two workshops I went to with Rodney were in Ireland and changed the way I see the world through my camera. Rodney has a talent to helping you look at familiar places with new eyes. Those first two workshops opened my door to a whole new way of thinking about photography. The experience gave me confidence to join my first overseas workshop, to the Isle of Lewis an Harris, one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and a must for any landscape photographer. The beaches, dramatic scenery and quality of light made it a dream location. We were very lucky with the weather too, blue skies, little wind and no rain. Perfect , making the trip even more special. Next workshop with Rodney was Namibia. Africa has stolen my heart. The itinerary and accommodation that Rodney and his team organized were wonderful. Everything ran smoothly and locations unforgettable. It’s a place I would visit again and without hesitation I would travel again with ROC tours. What stands out most about Rodney’s Tours/workshops both home and abroad, is how effortless everything feels for participants. Every detail thought through and accommodation excellent. The amount of work Rodney puts into each workshop is obvious and almost superhuman. He not only drives us to incredible locations but spend the entire day supporting everyone, no matter their experience level always with patience and a smile even while managing groups of different personalities. I would highly recommend ROC photographic workshops for beginners to seasoned photographers. You will come away with new friends, better skills great memories and a new perspective of the world.

SANDRA BAKER

Very happy to recommend Rodney's workshops having spent a fantastic week back in March 25 on the breath taking Isle of Lewis and Harris. From start to finish all travel and accommodation arrangements were taken care of by Rodney ensuring a very relaxed experience for all participants. We had a very comfortable overnight stay at the Benn Nevis Hotel en-route. The Harris Hotel in Tarbert was cosy and very welcoming, with smart, comfortable en-suite bedrooms, excellent food and friendly helpful staff. Rodney is a very accomplished photographer, taking us to some great locations and his patient instruction throughout was greatly appreciated. Unfortunately we encountered a couple of days when the weather was pretty awful. However on those occasions Rodney provided invaluable hotel based editing sessions. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my week and hope to join Rodney again in the near future.

Julia Deady

Julia Deady I loved every minute of this trip. Rodney left no stone unturned, we were not blessed with good weather on this trip but we utilised the bad days with photo editing tips, photography tips, and a trip to Stornoway. The locations we visited were simply stunning with a wide variety of landscapes. Rodney is knowledgeable, friendly, and truly enhanced the experience. Everything was flawlessly organised, making the trip seamless and stress-free. An unforgettable adventure filled with stunning views, great company, and expert guidance. Every component was excellent and I wish I could do it all over again! Highly recommend.

Martin Doyle

I recently travelled to Lewis and Harris in the Scottish Outer Hebredies with Rodney and a group of photo enthusiasts. We had a fantastic time. Rodney is an excellent teacher in the operation of cameras, plus framing and capturing a scene. He researched the area extremely well and brought us to each location at the optimum time to suit the light and conditions. He has a very easy style, offering assistance as required without being overbearing. Highly recommended, I have booked a further two tours for 2025.

Barry Dillon

This Workshop needs a 6 stars not 5. We were treated to fantastic shoot locations everyday , literally morning noon and night. Rodney brought us on two unscheduled trips for Astro photography. We stayed in a Superb hotel with fab breakfast and dinner each day on Lewis & Harris . finally Rodney could not do enough for us in his extra comfortable long wheel based 9 seater van . Book it now.

Katy Swarbrigg

Just home after a most enjoyable landscape workshop with Rodney O'Callaghan on the Outer Hebrides.The journey was long but well worth it. We stayed in the Harris Hotel which was both comfortable and friendly.Rodney had certainly done his homework as he knew exactly where and when to photograph, he also knew when it would rain, and when the sun would shine.Thank you Rodney.

Corinna Bekker

Just returned from my third photography holiday with Rodney, have a 4th one booked and 5th one planned. Really enjoy my time on these trips which offer a judgement free zone to be creative, and a like minded community that will not complain when you use every opportunity to take pictures (unlike friends and family might 🤫). Currently going through pictures from our trip to Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides and as much as it was a long journey there and back it was well worth it. I can see a lot of improvement in my photography since my first trip and might start adding landscape photography to my repertoire which it wasn’t really before, but the trips have most certainly inspired that and have grown my confidence immensely. The Outer Hebrides were my favourite location so far as it not only offers amazing opportunities to take pictures - it has an incredible energy that allows you to forget the stress and worries you may have left behind at home. I would have happily spent another week (or year). Rodney is good company and there’s always time for a laugh. He also has an annoyingly good eye in seeing where there is opportunity for a good picture, which makes me a wee bit jealous I just say, but also makes me want to return again to learn from him, as he has a wealth of knowledge to offer in the field. Would highly recommend Rodney O’Callaghan Photography’s tours 😊

Sheila O Connor

I have been on many of Rodney's workshops over the years and each of them have been excellent. This is due to Rodneys attention to detail in organising the trips, to his wonderful knowledge of the designated locations we are visiting and to his expertise in all areas of photography. He is an excellent mentor and he gives individual attention to everyone on the trip regardless of whether a novice or a more advanced photographer. His love of photography and his perceptive observation of the surrounding landscape is contagious resulting in everyone enjoying the trip and coming home with some great shots as well as great memories and enhanced skills. I would highly recommend experiencing one of Rodney's Workshops