In this post, I’d like to share some travel tips for Scotland, particularly aimed at landscape photographers. Instead of writing a day-by-day travel report, which would probably end up being quite repetitive, I think a few practical tips and insights will be more useful for you.

Which Season Is Best?

There really isn’t a single “best” season for landscape photography in Scotland – each season has its own unique advantages.

Spring:
Often, there is still snow on the mountains in April, which can look stunning in photos. Spring is also a good season for those who prefer a quieter experience, as there are fewer tourists around. The hills and mountains start turning green. Rainfall tends to be lower in many areas, including the Isle of Skye, and there are no midges yet (more on Highland midges later). If you want to combine hiking with photography, spring is a great time to visit.

Summer:
Summer is Scotland’s peak tourist season. Popular areas like Fort William and the Isle of Skye can get very crowded! Daytime temperatures are around 20°C, while nights are about 10°C. Unfortunately, summer is also midge season – and you’ll definitely need to prepare for those tiny bloodsuckers.
The days are extremely long. Sunrise can be as early as 4:30 am, which makes it tough to get up and be on location in time. On the plus side, late summer brings blooming purple heather on the moors and fields – an absolutely phenomenal sight and a great subject for photography.

Autumn:
Autumn is especially rewarding for landscape photography. The lush greens give way to vibrant autumn colors. From mid-October onwards, the midges are gone. There are also far fewer tourists compared to summer, and you don’t have to get up quite as early for sunrise or blue hour, which makes things a bit easier. By late autumn, snow is already present in many places, and ice patterns along loch and river shores make for excellent foreground elements.

Winter:
Frozen lochs and streams have their own unique charm. Ice textures work wonderfully as foreground subjects.
The weather is often rough and windy, and it can take days to get the right light at the right time. Heavy snowfall sometimes leads to road closures, which can be frustrating – especially since landscape photographers often rely on smaller, less-traveled roads to reach their locations.

Clothing, Rain Protection, and Footwear

Scotland is very rainy. It rains almost every day, and that’s normal. If it doesn’t rain, that’s the exception! Be prepared for this reality when planning your trip. On my last visit, it rained nearly nonstop for two weeks. Rain gear is essential.

You’ll need a good waterproof jacket and rain pants that can keep you dry for hours. You can wear the rain pants over regular hiking trousers. The layering principle (“onion system”) works very well here.

I also recommend merino wool T-shirts. They’re expensive, but you won’t sweat as much, they dry quickly, don’t show stains, and won’t smell even after multiple uses.

Your clothing should have plenty of zippered pockets – there’s always a lot to carry and stow away while photographing outdoors.

Proper ankle-high hiking boots are a must!

In addition, I strongly recommend Neos Overshoes (waterproof overshoes). These are waterproof boots you wear over your hiking boots. Rubber boots will do in a pinch, but overshoes are far more practical since you can slip them right over your regular boots. They’re also lightweight, foldable, and pack down small, yet still have a sturdy sole.
When I was there, the ground was completely waterlogged from rain. Hiking trails were muddy, and fields were flooded with standing water up to 20 cm deep. Without those overshoes, I wouldn’t have been able to reach more than half the photo spots!

Scotland and the Midges

Scottish midges are tiny blood-sucking insects about three millimeters long. They appear in huge swarms during summer, especially in forested and boggy areas. Their “high season” runs from early June to mid-September. Female midges bite to draw blood, which they need to produce eggs.

What do midges like?

• They thrive in dim light – overcast skies, early mornings, and evenings (i.e., golden and blue hour – exactly when photographers are out!).
• They are most active at 12°C to 22°C in calm conditions.
• Even light rain doesn’t deter them.

What do midges dislike?

• Wind. Just 6 km/h of wind is enough to drive them away – they’ll hide in tall grass.
• Bright light. You won’t see them at midday or in strong sunshine.

How to protect yourself?

Buy midge nets and hats. They’re inexpensive and the most effective protection. Just wear the hat and pull the net over it. You can even tie the net with a cord so they don’t crawl in from below. You’ll look like a beekeeper – but trust me, you’ll be grateful to have it!
On three occasions (two mornings and one evening), the midges were so bad that even with repellent, I could only manage with the net.

Wear long clothing. They’re tiny and can crawl into the smallest gaps.

Use repellent creams made for midges. I recommend Smidge That Midge – it works very well. Apply it to your hands and face, but avoid eyes and lips.

Scotland and the “Outdoor Access Code”

In Scotland, everyone has the right to access most private land, as long as you follow a few simple, respectful rules.

Be considerate of landowners and nature. For example, don’t wander around near people’s houses at night. Always close gates behind you, avoid unnecessary noise, don’t pick or damage plants, don’t disturb or hunt animals, and never leave litter. Whatever you bring, you also take back with you.

Gear Tips for Landscape Photographers

Here’s what I recommend:

Microfiber cloths for cleaning lenses and filters. The ones from Fielmann (a German optician) are excellent – large, high-quality, and inexpensive (about €1.50 each). Buy 5–10, you’ll need them, especially when wiping lenses in the rain.

Headlamp with red light – for hiking and shooting in the dark.

Plastic bags as rain covers for your camera. Freezer bags work best. Cut a small hole at the bottom for the tripod screw. Place the camera inside the bag, attach the tripod plate, and operate the buttons through the plastic.

Cleaning fluid for filters and lenses – especially important for coastal photography. Saltwater leaves streaks when wiped with just a cloth. You can buy ready-made cleaning solutions, but they’re overpriced and come in tiny amounts.
I recommend mixing one part isopropanol with four parts distilled water (credit goes to Raik Krotofil from raiklight.de). Fill a small spray bottle, and you’re set. A 100 ml bottle of isopropanol from the pharmacy is cheap and will make half a liter of cleaning fluid – enough to last for years. Spray directly onto filters. For lenses, spray the cloth instead of the glass.

Final Thoughts

Scotland’s landscapes are breathtaking, and with the right weather, it’s a paradise for landscape photographers. You’ll find vast forests, wild meadows, and untouched moorlands, interspersed with large lochs, small streams, and rivers winding through rolling hills.
On the Isle of Skye, you’ll encounter dramatic cliffs, beaches, and of course, the sea.

I hope these tips have been helpful and have brought Scotland a little closer to you.

I will definitely return – to photograph, and of course, to enjoy the wild beauty of nature once again.