Otter
Otter Week - Shetland Isles 2025
Otter Week - Shetland Isles 2025
Shetland Otters Photo Tour
Shetland has a fascinating and unique natural environment. The location of the islands has contributed to the evolution of a truly 'Shetlandic' collection of scenery and geology, bird life, sea mammals, wild flowers, wonderful beaches and true Shetland breeds.
The sea that surrounds Shetland is a powerful and overwhelming influence on our environment. Shaping and carving the islands, her presence is always felt. Drowned by the sea after the ice age, a kingdom of cliffs, caves and stacks lie beneath and above the waves. Cold, clean and excpetionally clear, the surrounding sea provides a rich platter for the greatest diversity of marine life in the UK.
A natural world where wildlife is truly wild; where you can watch otters and seals at play; and where the air is filled with the sound of seabirds crowding extraordinary cliffs in huge, noisy colonies.
This photo tour among the beautiful landscape of the Shetland Isles will solely concentrate on finding Wild Otters and using fieldcraft taught my myself you will be able to have some amazing moments with these beautiful mammals. We will find various places where Otters are known to live and with a slow and steady pace we will be able to spend as much time at each place we visit during the week.
This will enable each client to truly take in the environment of the Otters, learn more about them and track them and build a picture of their movements and habits. By spending more time in these certain places at the right times throughout the week will let you engage with this animal and capture some amazing moments.
I will be working with a friend who lives on the Shetland Isles so local knowledge and a great understanding of this amazing island will help and give each client the very best chance of capturing some stunning Otter shots. I will always be on hand and working alongside each client, offering my expert fieldcraft and Otter skills once again enabling every single client to get the best from each day spent on this beautiful island.
The pattern of each day will almost follow the same routine, an early start, leaning about the tides and how they effect the Otters behaviour, how and when then hunt and fish. Nothing will be rushed and be prepared to spend many hours in the same place in pursuit of this shy and elusive mammal. The Shetland Islands though is the best place in the world to see these beautiful creatures.
On all my workshops/one to ones and tours I show and teach real fieldcraft in order for each client to learn more about their subject and the way it lives its life. This enables them to better understand and the importance of fieldcraft, local knowledge and an understanding and appreciation in this case of the shy and sensitive wild Otter. Some of my fieldcraft has gone to print over the year in the form of publications, one such article can be seen here and shows what I will go through and teach during your time spent with me.
Day 1-Arrival
Once guests have arrived we pick you up and take you to your accommodation for the week, settle in and I will give a brief outline over a brew to the weeks activities. Unpack and then we will set off to the first Otter location just giving you a feel of the week ahead. Before heading to the accommodation to freshen up before evening meal. After dinner people are free to walk the beach photographing the wildlife that’s all around the hotel.
Day 2-6
The pattern of these days follow the same routine, an early start to get out and into place to watch the tides and look for Otters. We then head back to our hotelfor breakfast. Freshen up then collect our packed lunches and head out for the day. We will be staying in one place each day, keeping movement to a minimal and leaning real fieldcraft at the same time taking in the environment. At a time of out chosing we will then head home for our evening meal depending on Otters and tides, maximising time with these beautiful animals. Back to accommodation to freshen up before evening meal. Back out for the late evening light optional.
Day 7
Out for the early morning light, Otters, Waders and other wildlife we encounter then back to our cottage for breakfast. Freshen up then collect our packed lunches and head out for the day to one of the Otter sites and get in place and watch nature envole and awaken around us. Aterwards head to accommodation to clean up and evening meal.
Day 8
Another early start on our last day, then back for breakfast and say goodbye to these amazing isles.Down to Sumburgh then to drop off at the airport and ferry.
Accommodation
Our accommodation is a comfortable and perfectly placed on the island. Its a a shared basis with double rooms. There is lots of wildlife in and around our base. Continental breakfast, packed lunches and tradition home cooked food for our evening meal made from local produce cooked for us at a time of our choosing to fit in with your photography. We use fresh homemade food and cater for all dietary needs
Group Size
4
Fitness Level
Most activities will involve short walks, some over uphill, uneven terrain. Waterproof walking boots are essential. A reasonable level of fitness is required. We will make best use of the light so early starts and late finishes will be part of the timetable
Recommended Kit
You will need to provide your own photographic equipment, a 500mm lens will be ideal for this trip, but a 300mm with converters should be fine. A tripod, beanbag, and a small waterproof roll mat are a must The landscape of Shetland will give you many beautiful opportunities to capture it’s beauty so bring a wide-angle if you have one.
Additional Information
Shetlands weather can change at any moment and our locations on the island are fairly exposed so bring appropriate clothing and footwear. Dark/muted clothing is ideal. Camera protection is also needed due to Shetlands weather and the fact we’ll be outdoors for much of our time there.
Dates
Saturday 6th September 2025 - Saturday 13th September 2025
Cost- £2200.00 pp -Shared basis Single supplement is £300.00
The deposit will be £400 per person with the remainder to be paid 60 days before departure
Cost Includes
Accommodation, all transport on Shetland, all meals, packed lunch, wildlife photography tuition, guidance/help from Craig Jones
Cost Excludes
Transport to and from Shetland, Alcohol, sundry Items, and personal items