S

36 METRO Monday, August 24, 2015

Escape
Escape
Escape
Escape

Travel | Culture | Adventure

Stunning;
Rebecca Deals
photo of Castle
Stalker, and
inset, Philip
Prices sea
eagle shot

by stephen deal

ITS ONE of the most beautiful spots in Britain

and you would be hard pushed to find a more
iconic image of Scotland.
Castle Stalker sits on its own islet, boasting a
dramatic backdrop of mountains and, on the
morning Im standing on a beach looking towards
it with my family, there is a healthy dose of mist
just to give it more of that shortbread tin image.
So surely all I need to do to take a decent picture
with my phone is point and shoot, right? Well, no
actually. Rebecca, Callum, Freya and I are with
Loch Visions wildlife photographer Philip Price,
whose Wildlife Hub (www.wildlifehub.co.uk)
overlooks Argylls Castle Stalker on Loch Laich
Nature Reserve.
Visitors have the chance to see trout and bees
up close at the Hub, with herons and seals on
remote cameras and the piece de resistance, the
chance to hunt like an eagle a stunning 360
degree virtual reality film available to watch on

Smile... its all

for the camera
Samsung Gear VR headsets. Philip also offers
wildlife photography courses and so here we were
on the beach being challenged to take great
pictures with our phones.
And, after sharing some of the tricks of his trade
with us such as the importance of composition and
framing, he then tells us to go off and use our
surroundings and imagination to take some
interesting shots.
Surely I couldnt mess this up, could I? Well ... I

have to admit, being subsequently told that my

children had grasped almost every one of his ideas
better than I had left me pleased for them and
soon left them with the slightly ridiculous sight of
their dad trying to climb a tree to frame a castle
made famous by its part in Monty Python And
The Holy Grail.
Philips true passion, though, is for wildlife and
he didnt miss a trick when he excitedly pointed
out the passing overhead of a white-tailed sea

Nice, Monte Carlo

& St Tropez

Prague, Vienna &

Budapest

Departs April - October 2015

From Edinburgh

Departs March October 2015

THIS wonderful week-long holiday offers

plenty of time to relax and enjoy the
glorious Riviera surroundings, and also
includes four wonderful excursions taken
in the company of our friendly,
knowledgeable tour manager.

DISCOVER and explore a trio of Europes

finest cities and their delightful
surrounding countryside, with included
guided tours in each.
A visit to Slovakian capital Bratislava
completes this fully escorted tour.

eagle the biggest bird of prey you will find in the

wild in Britain.
After our time with Philip, which we all agreed
had been great fun, we headed down the coast to
Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland, before
heading back to our base in Taynuilt.
We were staying at a classic coaching inn, the
Taynuilt Hotel (www.taynuilthotel.co.uk), which
has been at the heart of the village for centuries.
As well as providing a range of modern en-suite
rooms all named after lochs, the hotel, under the
management of David Lapsley, is making
particularly good use of Argylls abundant food
sources, with Isle of Mull scallops, potted Loch
Awe trout and locally handpicked Girolle
mushrooms among its specialities.
Taynuilt itself is also an excellent base to see
and explore some of Argylls beautiful scenery,
including Ben Cruachan, one of the finest Munros
in the southern Highlands.
If you go, just remember to have your camera
with you.

From Edinburgh

8 Day Holiday from 689pp

8 Day Holiday from 799pp

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Return flights direct to Prague Seven nights bed and
breakfast accommodation Prague (3), Budapest (2), and
Vienna (2) Fascinating guided tours in Prague, Budapest
and Vienna Visit to Bratislava
Comfortable scenic coach travel and transfers Fully
escorted by a friendly, experienced Tour Manager

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Return flights to Nice or Genoa Visits to Nice, St Paul de
Vence, Cannes and St-Tropez, Monte Carlo, Italys Riviera of
Flowers Seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation
at the Quality Hotel in Menton
Coach travel and transfers Fully escorted
Single supplement applies

TRAVEL CENTRE

0844 448 1901

Single supplement applies

TRAVEL CENTRE

0844 448 1901

QUOTE SDR
To book or request a brochure call
NEWMARKET PROMOTIONS/AIR HOLIDAYS LTD. ABTA V787X/V7812 ATOL Protected 2325

QUOTE SDR
To book or request a brochure call
NEWMARKET PROMOTIONS/AIR HOLIDAYS LTD. ABTA V787X/V7812 ATOL Protected 2325

www.newmarket.travel/sdr18458

www.newmarket.travel/sdr18808