McDougall Photographic

Mountain Hares Workshop 04-12-27
2027-12-04 08:00 - 15:00 UTC | Blairgowrie/Glenshee
Mountain Hares
Location: Blairgowrie/Glenshee
I have teamed up with a local wildlife expert and guide to facilitate this Mountain Hare wildlife photography workshop in the mountains around Glenshee.
We will walk in to the mountains to search for and find local populations of the hares. We will then sit with them and try to carefully approach them to enable us to get some interesting images. It is worth noting that they are found in areas that are just spectacular in terms of scenery so sometimes shooting wider and showing the environment can provide more impact than shooting just close ups.
Seeing and photographing hares is an incredible experience and these hares can be fairly relaxed around people if treated with respect and approached in the correct way.
It is a wonderful opportunity to capture images of these beautiful and unique animals.
The Time of this trip would be from approximately 8am – 3pm
The start and end time is highly variable on these workshops as they are very much weather dependent. The exact start time will be given a week before the date.
As with all my workshops I will be on hand to give advice on settings and various shots that can be achieved. The group will be a maximum of 2 people so there will be plenty of opportunities to work with everyone one on one if required.
There is also an opportunity to add Pine Martens to the day. After we have finished with the hares we will use a hide near Blairgowrie to photograph images of these elusive animals, there is a high success rate in this hide and the hide is equipped with floodlights to enable us to shoot after it gets dark. The hide is also heated.
Contact me to add on the Pine Marten
The price does not include accommodation. It also excludes all meals. If booking accommodation, I would suggest booking with free cancellation due to the possibility of adverse weather.

Scottish Photography Hides Workshop – Kingfisher, Pine Marten 06-12-27
2027-12-06 | Kirkcudbright
Scottish Photography Hides Workshop – Kingfisher, Pine Marten
Location: Kirkcudbright
Please note that this can be combined with the day before or day after Scottish Photography Hides Workshop.
Scottish Photography Hides Workshop – Kingfisher, Pine Marten
This hide workshop is designed to highlight the very best of the Dumfries & Galloway area in south-west Scotland.
The Scottish Lowlands in this part of Scotland are a real gem, They are often overlooked for the more iconic Scottish wildlife destinations of the highlands and islands. But you won’t be disappointed as the wildlife is rich, unique and plentiful. We work with Alan McFadyen as no one knows the wildlife of this area better than him. Alan is an award winning photographer and his hides have been used by fellow professionals and hobbyists alike, the hides have featured on BBC, ITV, national papers and have provided many award winning images and was the face of Canons 1DX mkii advertising campaign.
We’ll be based throughout the trip near the town of Kirkcudbright where we will have access to 4 carefully selected hides situated in a number of locations.
Daytime Hide – Kingfisher:
The Kingfisher Photography Hide is spacious inside and there is also ample space to store bags etc. behind you. The Kingfishers here are regular visitors and have been coming to the hide for several years. The choice and variety of perches and backgrounds is excellent and some really good images can be captured here of this otherwise difficult to photograph bird.
Evening Hide – Pine Marten:
Located on Scotland’s South West Coast near Kirkcudbright, over the past four years Alan has worked tirelessly to develop a unique opportunity to photography the elusive Pine Marten. The hide is on the edge of a pine forest with years of conservation work taking place to establish a breeding population in the region. LED lighting is used to illuminate the area and low powered flash will be used (no experience needed). The backdrops and set ups in this hide give you a unique opportunity to capture some really different images of this hard to see animal.
The start time is at approximately 7am for the daytime hide, we will usually finish at around 2pm or whenever we have had enough of waiting/taking images.
The evening hide will start at approximately 7pm and can finish as late as midnight.
Exact timings for the hides and meeting places will be given on booking.
There are 2 options for this hide either a one day trip or 2 consecutive days. It is not possible to swap the days around so please book both days or whichever includes the subjects that interest you.
As with all my workshops I will be on hand to give advice on settings and various different shots that can be achieved. The group will be a maximum of 4 people so there will be plenty of opportunities to work with everyone one on one if required.
The price includes the hide booking exclusively for our group.
The price does not include accommodation. It also excludes all meals.

Scottish Photography Hides Workshop – Red Squirrel, Badger, Tawny Owl 07-12-27
2027-12-07 | Kirkcudbright
Scottish Photography Hides Workshop – Red Squirrel, Badger
Location: Kirkcudbright
Please note that this can be combined with the day before or day after Scottish Photography Hides Workshop
This hide workshop is designed to highlight the very best of the Dumfries & Galloway area in south-west Scotland.
The Scottish Lowlands in this part of Scotland are a real gem, They are often overlooked for the more iconic Scottish wildlife destinations of the highlands and islands. But you won’t be disappointed as the wildlife is rich, unique and plentiful. We work with Alan McFadyen as no one knows the wildlife of this area better than him. Alan is an award winning photographer and his hides have been used by fellow professionals and hobbyists alike, the hides have featured on BBC, ITV, national papers and have provided many award winning images and was the face of Canons 1DX mkii advertising campaign.
We’ll be based throughout the trip near the town of Kirkcudbright where we will have access to 4 carefully selected hides situated in a number of locations.
Daytime Hide – Red Squirrel and Fighting Finches
The main targets are Red Squirrel, However you will be entertained all day from Woodland bird species such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue, Coal and Great Tits, Pheasant, Robin, Dunnock, Nuthatch, Chaffinch and a good chance the Sparrowhawks and or Buzzards will be around. During the warmer months there is also a good chance Tawny Owls and Badgers will visit during daylight hours. The set up here makes it possible to photograph Red Squirrels jumping straight at you and goldfinches and chaffinches squabbling over food.
Evening Hide – Woodland Floor – Badgers, Tawny Owl and Fox
Set in a quiet tranquil corner of Galloway this hide offers some unique evening photography. You will be at eye level with your subjects as if you are lying on the woodland floor, however you will be seated in a comfortable chair for this unique experience.
The main targets are Badger and Tawny Owl. Sometimes you will get a late bonus visit from Red Fox.
The start time is at approximately 7am for the daytime hide, we will usually finish at around 2pm or whenever we have had enough of waiting/taking images.
The evening hide will start at approximately 7pm and can finish as late as midnight.
Exact timings for the hides and meeting places will be given on booking.
There are 2 options for this hide either a one day trip or 2 consecutive days. It is not possible to swap the days around so please book both days or whichever includes the subjects that interest you.
As with all my workshops I will be on hand to give advice on settings and various different shots that can be achieved. The group will be a maximum of 4 people so there will be plenty of opportunities to work with everyone one on one if required.
The price includes the hide booking exclusively for our group.
The price does not include accommodation. It also excludes all meals.

Wildlife Photography for Beginners 09-12-27
2027-12-09 09:00 - 13:00 | Glasgow
Beginners Wildlife Photography Workshop
Location: Glasgow
My popular beginner’s wildlife photography workshop is designed for people who are new to wildlife photography and for those people who just want to understand how their camera works and how they can maximise the equipment that they have to get better images.
Many people have attended this workshop with NO photography knowledge and often attendees have basic camera equipment.
Throughout the beginners wildlife photography workshop I will set your camera up with you to ensure that you are simplifying the camera settings as much as possible and making you comfortable with adjusting minimum settings to get maximum results.
The focus of the workshop is on capturing images of common species in a different way, so we will be photographing swans, ducks and other water birds. I will also explain a little about the behaviour of the birds so that you can look for specific shots.
By the end of the workshop you will be confident in using your camera and adjusting settings to achieve the results that you want.
Course Contents
• Camera Set Up
• Understanding Exposure
• Focus Modes
• White Balance
• Composition
• Exposure Compensation

Argaty Red Kites and Red Squirrel Workshop 11-12-27
2027-12-11 | Doune
Argaty Red Kites – Red Kite and Red Squirrel Workshop
Location: Doune
My bestselling and most popular workshop.
This is a small group wildlife photography workshop, I will be on hand throughout the day to help you with your camera settings and leave the day with some truly memorable wildlife images.
It is ideally for people who want to improve their wildlife photography and increase understanding of how to use their camera.
Workshop Contents
• Understanding Exposure
• Focus Modes
• White Balance
• Composition
• Exposure Compensation
• Shooting in Raw
• Understanding Animal Behaviour
• Capturing Action shots
• Photographing Birds in Flight.
The day will be split in to 2 sessions with the morning focusing on Red Squirrels, the objective here will be to use the available light to capture interesting portraits and behaviour. We will also be hoping to capture images of the many woodland birds that frequent the hide.
Set in secluded woodland, this specialist 1-6-person hide gives close-up and intimate views of red squirrels and a spectacular array of woodland birds (including greater spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, long tailed tits and more.)
The afternoon session will be focusing on the Red Kites. The objective here will be to capture eye catching images of the birds in flight as they feed at the hide.
A purpose-built hide for up to 3 photographers, the Red Kite Photography Hide brings you closer to the action (distance to the feeding area 35m) for an unforgettable encounter with nature!
The hide looks out onto a beautiful deciduous woodland copse, which provides the perfect backdrop to photograph kites against, even in overcast weather.
It is an action-packed day full of wildlife photography opportunities and fully guided throughout.
The price includes the hide booking exclusively for our group.
The price does not include accommodation. It also excludes all meals.
