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Dawn and Stuart are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. What a milestone! In Dawn’s own words: “this session is to celebrate all we’ve been through and to celebrate our relationship and love for each other”. What a beautiful sentiment for a beautiful photo session to celebrate love.
How did you choose the location?
Ieva, the photographer: Dawn and Stuart are local to Scotland so they were familiar with the area, however they wanted my input in terms of what locations in the Highlands (since they wanted mountains!) would be the most picturesque for photos. Glencoe was one of five beauty areas I suggested to them, and the one they decided worked the best for them.
Do you require any special permits or permission from landowners to take photos here?
Ieva: No, thankfully most of Glencoe is public land and you are welcome to take photos wherever you like (excluding places like hotels and private property grounds).
How easy is the location to access? Is it suitable for all ages and abilities?
Ieva: Glencoe has a wide range of beautiful photo locations within a short driving distance of each other. Dawn, Stuart and I visited three of them. Two of them were only a 5 minute walk from the car park on relatively flat ground (though as everywhere in the Highlands, there are muddy and slippery patches). The last location was more of a hike, around 20 minutes walk from the car park, up and down the hill but so worth it! I would say the locations are suitable for all ages and require a light to medium level of fitness.
Why should couples consider having a photoshoot in this location/area?
Ieva: Glencoe valley is one of the most picturesque areas of Scotland, which boasts of not only some of the most impressive mountains (such as the Three Sisters) but also beautiful waterfalls, lochs (or lakes) and woodland areas. There are lots of places to park and take photos only a short walk from the parking lot, so it is ideal for those who want photos in the mountains but do not fancy doing a big, strenuous hike.
What are your top tips for planning a shoot in this area?
Ieva:
1) Plan to explore a variety of locations a short drive away from each other so you can showcase the diverse beauty of the Glencoe valley.
2) Plan your photoshoot in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds of visitors and full parking spaces.
3) Bring footwear that is waterproof and has a good grip. The ground in many places tends to be soggy, muddy and slippery all year round.
4) Take waterproofs and extra layers to combat the ever-changeable Scottish weather. 5) Bring midge/insect repellent.
Is there a best time of year to visit this location?
Ieva: Glencoe is absolutely beautiful all year round. If you want those gorgeous autumn oranges and reds, October is the best time to go. However, September is super beautiful too, as the green of the grass intertwines with blooming purple heather that covers most of the hills. Summer is gorgeous too, though I should warn you that in summer Glencoe (like most of the Scottish Highlands) is plagued by tiny but very bitey flying insects called midges which enjoy the hikers’ blood and their bites may leave you covered in itchy bumps for a few days if you do not take care to use insect repellents! If you visit in winter or early Spring, you are likely to see snow or at least snow capped mountain tops (like Dawn and Stuart had during their session).
Any other advice or tips you would like to share based on your experience?
Ieva: The phone service in Glencoe valley is patchy at best, so I always recommend that clients download an offline Google map for the whole area so they can easily navigate even when phone service is not available. Take care driving on the winding roads and be on the lookout for deer, especially at night when they might unexpectedly cross the road. Book accommodation well in advance if you are planning to stay over as the accommodation options are few and fill up quickly. However, if you can’t get accommodation in Glencoe itself, nearby towns like Fort William and Tyndrum tend to have more and cheaper choices. Another point of consideration is to plan for dinner in advance as most places tend to stop serving food early (like 9pm) and you may struggle to find dinner in the area any later than that.
The Vendors:
Photography: Ieva Marija Photography
