Orkney wildlife photography tour

GET IN TOUCH

22nd - 27th March 2027

For this workshop we will be based on the island of Sanday which is the largest of Orkney’s north isles at sixteen miles end to end, it is most famous for its stunning white beaches and sand dunes.
Fortunately, these wide expanses host a wide variety of wading birds during the winter months, attracted by the rich pickings on offer. Flocks of Sanderling remain faithful to these sites and return to the same stretches of beach year after year chased by the waves. Bar Tailed godwits and Ringed Plover probe amongst the sheltered lagoons and the rocky shores are alive with Purple Sandpipers, picking amongst the seaweed covered rocks.

Sanday is surrounded by a vast underwater kelp forest and so cast kelp torn from holdfasts during winter storms piles up on the shore. Turnstones love to pick amongst it often approaching closely if you sit still in the same place. Curlew are more wary but their bubbling call an ever present part of the landscape.

Given the mix of Orcadian island weather, we’re also likely to have the chance to photograph dramatic seascape scenes under Orkney’s huge skies.

JOIN RAYMOND AND ESPEN ON A SPECTACULAR PHOTOGRAPHY tour on the ORcadian island of Sanday

Stunning Sanday will leave you wanting more time wandering its white sands, chasing the long evening shadows and observing its unique bird and marine life.

With 6 days packed with a variety of opportunities for photography and observing the local nature, you will get an intimate experience of the rhythms of this special island.

We will be renting a beautiful house as a group to make our stay on the island comfortable. Each guest will have their own room to ensure time and space to be able to rest and relax between the outings we will take from dawn until dusk.
Espen and Raymond will also be on hand to help guide guests through tips and tricks editing photos taken throughout the day, when not out and about.

Espen and Raymond will take care of all the logistics, including organising and preparing meals, during the trip, so you can immerse yourself in the local culture and wildlife, focus on your photography and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

As with all Scottish Islands, the weather is likely to be very mixed, and we will be able to take advantage of these conditions to get spectacular shots in a variety of lights, conditions and settings.

WHAT TO EXPECT

With 6 days packed with a variety of opportunities for photography and observing the local nature, you will get an intimate experience of the rhythms of this special island.

We will be renting a beautiful house as a group to make our stay on the island comfortable. Each guest will have their own room to ensure time and space to be able to rest and relax between the outings we will take from dawn until dusk.
Espen and Raymond will also be on hand to help guide guests through tips and tricks editing photos taken throughout the day, when not out and about.

Espen and Raymond will take care of all the logistics, including organising and preparing meals, during the trip, so you can immerse yourself in the local culture and wildlife, focus on your photography and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

As with all Scottish Islands, the weather is likely to be very mixed, and we will be able to take advantage of these conditions to get spectacular shots in a variety of lights, conditions and settings.

PROPOSED TOUR ITINERARY

Stay tuned!
This will be shared nearer to the time and will depend on tide times and weather conditions.

Cost Per Person £2150

£500 deposit on reservation (non refundable) full payment 30 days before trip

pay a deposit to secure your spot on this unforgettable trip!

GET IN TOUCH to book

Accommodation for 5 nights

All transportation on Sanday, and travel between Orkney mainland and Sanday

All meals

Guidance from wildlife and photography experts Raymond Besant & Espen Helland

What’s included:

Travel to & from Orkney mainland (Kirkwall or Stromness)

Personal items, including camera equipment and clothing

Travel insurance

Alcoholic drinks or any additional drinks and snacks beyond what we offer

Not included:

Raymond Besant

Although watching wildlife has been a passion since childhood, the early part of Raymond's photographic career was as a press photographer in Aberdeen before embarking on a career as a wildlife. cameraman.

Raymond has been fortunate to spend the last 15 years working all around the globe for clients such as National Geographic, the BBC, Netflix and Apple TV. He got his break with BBC Springwatch and has gone on to work on productions such as Highlands: Scotland’s Wild Heart for BBC Scotland, Wild Isles and Frozen Planet II narrated by David Attenborough. He's also worked further afield on projects such as Wild China, filming wolves at 16,000ft and the beautiful courtship lekking of the Ruff for Wild Scandinavia in arctic Norway.

Born in Orkney Raymond is deeply passionate about the wildlife that also calls it home, and the extraordinary light that often shines upon the landscape. Photography is still his first love and he's currently working on the third in a series of Naturally Orkney wildlife photography books.

Espen Helland

Espen is a Norwegian wildlife photographer and filmmaker based in the Scottish Highlands. With a passion for ecology and photography, Espen has spent over a decade traveling the globe honing his skills to capture breathtaking images of wildlife and landscapes. His stunning images reveal a deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and his skillful use of light and composition creates images that are both powerful and intimate. In addition to his photography work, Espen is also a filmmaker, with a particular focus on natural wildlife photography, and his films are celebrated for their powerful storytelling and stunning visuals.

Espen's passion for wildlife photography and conservation is evident in all of his work, and his dedication to capturing and sharing the beauty of the natural world has made him a respected and admired figure in the photography community. Whether in front of the camera or behind it, Espen is committed to using photography to tell stories of the natural world, and help others experience it too.

YOUR GUIDES

FAQs

You’ll be picked up and dropped off in mainland Orkney, so please make efforts to get to Kirkwall. We will arrange travel to / from Sanday.

Are transfers included?

Email Espen to enquire about booking (info@espenhelland.com).

How do I book?

Camera, lenses, binoculars, tripod/beanbag, batteries, memory cards…

What gear should I bring?

Comfortable clothing for photography. Scottish islands have very variable weather, so we advise bringing layers, a jacket and waterproofs so you're prepared for anything!

What kind of clothing should I wear?

Travel insurance is required and it’s recommended that you insure your camera equipment.

Do I need insurance?

Depends on what we are photographing on the day, on some days we will be out before sunrise and photographing at sunset.

What time will we start each day?

In a house on Sanday with all other guests.

Where will I be staying?

Given the limited eateries on Sanday, most meals will be prepared in house by Espen and Raymond.
Dietary requirements will be taken into consideration in advance and all needs will be catered for. Please let us know if you have any specific needs.