Host Karen Miller is a professional wildlife photographer and guide.  Since moving to the Scottish Highlands in November 2019 the vast majority of her work has been undertaken locally - there's never been a shortage of subjects to photograph!  To see many more of Karen's images and read her wildlife photography journal visit her photography website.  Red squirrels and mountain hares are the two species Karen has spent the most time photographing, very different species but both wonderful, personable subjects.

It doesn't matter what level you are as a photographer, there should be a workshop to suit.  The Intro to Wildlife Photography course (1 day) is especially suited to those with little experience.  All that's required is a camera - ideally a bridge camera, mirrorless or DSLR with a minimum of a 300mm focal length.

If you are interested in joining Karen on one of her workshops please visit her photography website for more information.  

Some of the options are:

• An Introduction to Wildlife Photography (1 day)
• Red Squirrels (1 or more days - mornings only in winter/spring)
• Crested Tits (Dec-March) - guided or unguided session.

Garden badgers - this is exclusive to The Drey guests.  Hire a pop-up hide in the garden to photograph the badgers that visit every evening.  Over the summer months they come out in daylight, especially if there's been no rain. Otherwise, it'll be after dark. So depending on the time of year this could be very late.  I will provide bait, LED lighting.  £25 for 1 person, £40 for 2.  If you are booked on a workshop, visits to this hide are free of charge.  (Please note that if the weather is nice, or it's a weekend there's the chance that noise from neighbours could keep the badgers away until much later).

Residential Workshops

"Red Squirrel Therapy"  This includes 3 nights accommodation, 3 mornings with red squirrels at my site and a site in the Cairngorms plus the option to photograph other species in the afternoons on Days 1 and 2.  Suitable for 1-2 people.  Can be booked any time there's availability in the cabin/I have the availability. 

"Highland Winter Wildlife"  Available December-March (except over Xmas/New Year).  Includes 4 nights accommodation and 3 days of photography.

Visitors to The Drey qualify for a 10% discount on all non-residential workshops, please check with Karen regarding her availability.  For residential packages please also check availability.

If you'd like to photograph any other species or would like a guide to take you to specific areas then please contact Karen to discuss - if she can help she will, or she can certainly give recommendations.

The gallery below includes images Karen has taken in the Highlands, many of them within walking distance of The Drey.  All images © Karen Miller

Guided walks & red squirrel 2 hour experience

If you'd like a guide for a local walk from The Drey then, subject to availability, Karen can do this too.  Choose from a walk through the local woods listening out for the many bird varieties that live there. Go down to the Beauly Firth and watch the waders and (in summer) ospreys.  Or why not book a couple of hours with Karen's red squirrel family to enjoy their antics.  

Walks are £25pp, Red squirrels are £25pp. Both last  approx 2 hours.

These are nature walks, not geared towards photography. Suitable footwear - wellies or walking boots are essential.  For the walks binoculars are recommended (Karen has a scope for the Beauly Firth), for the red squirrels photographs and videos are only permitted on a smart phone. Please book a red squirrel photography workshop if you wish to take photographs with a DSLR/Mirrorless or Bridge camera.

Check availability