I have been to most Scottish Islands - with my family when I was growing up and on various short trips over the last fifty years. Usually I have travelled as a tourist and photography has not been my primary or even secondary reason. As an example I went to the Orkneys with a friend whose great-uncle was the admiral on the Royal Oak battleship sunk at the beginning of the 2nd world war with all hands (including his relative). This trip was a memorial visit to the museums, cathedral and on a pilot boat over the wreck. It was very interesting and quite emotional at times as one would expect.
This year I went to Shetland with the primary purpose of taking photographs but with no great expectations. In fact I was blown away in more than one sense of the word. It is a very windy place and it was hugely difficult keeping the camera steady (not very successfully) and avoiding being blown over a cliff edge (I avoided that). In the other sense I was amazed by the quality of the coastal scenery. We were there for three days excluding travelling and we were guided by a local photographer to some terrific locations. Unlike Iceland, which is hopelessly overcrowded with tourists and snappers, even in the winter, Shetland only has 50,000 visitors a year. We did not see a single person in any of the locations we visited on the coast. Admittedly March (when we went) is very quiet anyway and not the ideal time to photograph the abundance of wildlife or green rolling hills.
If you are interested in going here are a few bits of information which might be helpful.
Getting there.
By plane from the main Scottish cities via Loganair or be ferry from Aberdeen. If flying the carry-on baggage limits are lower than usual due to the small size of the planes used.
https://www.loganair.co.ukCar hire
A 4 x 4 (essential) can be hired from Bolts who will meet your incoming flight.
https://www.boltscarhire.co.ukAccommodation.
We chose self catering in Lerwick. It is practical to do this as any part of Shetland can be reached in an hour or two.
https://www.fort-charlotte.com/Guidance.
Austin Taylor was a great choice as a guide. He is a prominent working professional photographer in Shetland with a strong interest and extensive knowledge of the islands and its wild life.
http://www.austintaylorphotography.com/contact.html
