"We believe there is more to a photography retreat than visiting stunning landscapes. We prefer to expose you — and your camera — to the vibrant stories woven amongst magical backdrops."

Two award-winning photojournalists. One historic Highland home. A week that changes how you see.

As featured in

Our days in the field

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Arrival at Spean Lodge

Day 1

Arrival &
Welcome

Settle in, welcome briefing, dinner, and an evening of Scottish storytelling by the fire.

Waterfalls and Wildlife

Day 2

Waterfalls
& Wildlife

Glencoe Lochan at dawn, then an exclusive shoot with Highland Cows in their natural environment.

Steam Trains and the Sea

Day 3

Steam Trains
& the Sea

The Jacobite at Glenfinnan Viaduct, a beach shoot with horse and rider, evening editing session.

Isle of Skye

Day 4

Isle of
Skye

Full day on Skye — Elgol, rugged coastlines, and a lone piper at Eilean Donan Castle.

Highland Culture

Day 5

Highland
Culture

Highland Dancers at Glencoe, editing workshops, building your personal story.

Dawn with Deerstalkers

Day 6

Dawn with

Deerstalkers

A morning in the hills with traditional Highland deerstalkers — the landscape, the craft, and a world few photographers ever see.

Departure and Farewell

Day 7

Departure
& Farewell

A final breakfast together, prints in hand, and fond farewells from Spean Lodge.

Step inside a retreat

Six days in the Highlands — the landscapes, the learning, and the people who made it unforgettable.

We take our photographers to amazing locations,
and share what we know.
Then the magic happens as their creativity shines.

Highland Retreats
Paul Hackett outside Spean Lodge

The Retreat

A week-long
storytelling adventure

Come and join us for a week of photographic storytelling in the magical Scottish Highlands. We'll photograph stunning landscapes, Highland dancers, castles, pipers, deer stalkers, Highland coos — and so much more. Leave with a beautiful, varied portfolio of images and memories to last a lifetime.

You'll be welcomed into Spean Lodge, and Kieran and I will take you out on fantastic photographic adventures each day. We'll picnic on remote beaches and in moody glens, then gather at the lodge each evening for incredible dinners in our candlelit dining room. We'll edit our work together and make prints to take home at the end of your week.

We love hosting these retreats, and our guests love coming. Get in touch and we can talk things through.

All the best, Paul

View retreat dates →

Spean Lodge by night

A home in the
heart of the Highlands

Spean Lodge is Paul's home — an historic Highland lodge set in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. You are a guest in Paul's home, and he is delighted to welcome you there.

The evenings unfold slowly — Jacqueline's cooking, a whisky by the fire, stories from careers spent photographing the world. The days are spent in some of Scotland's most dramatic landscapes, learning to find and tell the stories hidden in plain sight.

Explore Spean Lodge →

Paul Hackett

Host · Reuters · The Sunday Times

Paul is an award-winning photojournalist with over 30 years' experience. For two decades he was based in London, covering everything from the Olympic Games to assignments in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan — and everything in between. Now settled in the Scottish Highlands, Paul runs reportage photography retreats from Spean Lodge, where he helps photographers sharpen their storytelling skills through hands-on guidance and field assignments.

Visit Paul's website →

Kieran Doherty

Co-host · World Press Photo Award winner

Kieran began his photojournalism career with Reuters in London in 1993, covering major global events including the Iraq war, the Asian tsunami, the Sydney Olympics and the Rugby World Cup. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Time, Stern and National Geographic, and is held in the British Royal Household, UK Parliamentary archives and London's Imperial War Museum. He won the World Press Photo award in 2015 and a Pictures of the Year International award in 2022. His career has taken him to over 80 countries.

Read full biography →

Visit Kieran's website →

The retreat, in their own words

Highland Retreats
"I arrived thinking I might enhance my portfolio in a lovely setting but I left inspired, wiser, healthier and lighter in my soul. I really couldn't recommend this highly enough."
— Mary Turner
"I especially enjoyed each evening's debrief in the Green Room with its log-burning fire over a gin and tonic."
— Mike Wilkinson
"When I arrived I had a camera I'd only used on auto. I was patiently guided through everything. The resulting photos are my pride and joy."
— Anne Ritchie
"The team arranged so many great photo opportunities — Highland dancers, pipers, deer and horse riders. A magical experience. Highly recommended."
— Sue Cresswell
Lodge interior / fire image here

We take care
of everything

Six nights full board at Spean Lodge
Daily guided excursions
Real-time tuition in the field
Evening image reviews & critiques
All local transport throughout the week
Entertainment at the lodge
Printed keepsake image from your retreat

Come and join us

Spaces are limited. If one of these dates appeals, we'd love to hear from you.

2026

September

26 Sep – 2 Oct

From £3,200

Filling fast
Get in touch →

October

16 – 22 Oct

From £3,200

Places available
Get in touch →

October

24 – 30 Oct

From £3,200

Places available
Get in touch →

November

21 – 27 Nov

From £3,200

Places available
Get in touch →

2027

April

23 – 30 Apr

From £3,500

Places available
Get in touch →

September

10 – 17 Sep

From £3,500

Places available
Get in touch →

October

8 – 13 Oct

From £3,500

Places available
Get in touch →

October

17 – 23 Oct

From £3,500

Places available
Get in touch →

We'll reply within 48 hours.

Spean Lodge

We'd love to
hear from you

Tell us a little about yourself and we'll be in touch within 48 hours.

Or email us directly at hello@highlandretreats.uk