overview

Margaret is running a one-off photography workshop on the Isle of Harris — small, welcoming, and encouraging, held at a quiet time of year when the light is magical and the swells are at their most dramatic. Margaret’s own work is characterised by her use of long exposures to transform wild seas into quiet, reflective images. In this workshop, she will share her expertise, skills and process with you. Helping you see, photograph and produce long exposure images yourself. 

Take this opportunity to slow down, step away from the pressures of daily life, and fully immerse yourself in your photography amidst the island’s wild beauty.

6 nights / 5 days based at The Harris Hotel, Tarbert

Included: Pick-up from Stornoway or Tarbert, lunches, outdoor excursions, and indoor teaching sessions.
Not included: Accommodation, Travel to Harris, Insurance, Evening meals & alcohol. (Rooms have been held at the Hotel for you to book in and pay separately from the workshop fee)

Your leader

 Margaret encourages and inspires others in a genuine way. She specialises in landscapes and seascapes, in particular the quiet, remote and wild coast of the Hebrides.

Margaret is best known for her long exposure seascapes, which she exhibited at the Bosham Gallery in a solo exhibition called “Quiet”, since producing several books featuring Hebridean imagery. Her newly built gallery at her home on the East coast of Harris shows her work and books, and provides a space of quiet and reflection for people to be immersed in art and nature. You will have the opportunity to spend time in The Galerie during this week.

Margaret has been creating and leading photography workshops since 2018 and now also runs creative retreats. This is a one – off workshop for 2026.

                     A taste of what’s on offer

Join Margaret for a bespoke landscape photography workshop designed to help you gently develop your photography through connection, observation, and slowing down. Our main subjects will be seascapes and long exposures — the work Margaret is best known for. You are also welcome to come along and photograph in your own way as well, or if you’re a beginner, to experiment and learn new skills.

This workshop is for those who love truly remote and beautiful places and wish to experience the Isle of Harris from a deeper, more connected perspective. The focus is on you as an individual, with gentle, encouraging tuition throughout.

The Outer Hebrides is tranquil, peaceful, and welcoming, one of the most remote and inspiring locations you’ll ever visit. Margaret has been visiting and photographing the Isle of Harris for over 16 years and now calls it home, living in Geocrab on the island’s east coast. Her local knowledge allows her to introduce you to the island’s community, food, and hidden corners, creating unique experiences throughout the week. Harris feels like an island on the edge of the world, especially in the winter months. In February, we may have entire beaches to ourselves. The weather can be wild, changeable, and exhilarating — often offering all four seasons in a single day, with fast-moving clouds, rainbows, and bursts of golden light. In addition, you’ll also find inspiration in smaller details such as textures, patterns, and minimalist compositions that reflect the quiet beauty of Harris.

With an intimate understanding of locations, tides, sea states, and wind direction, Margaret selects the best spot each day according to the weather. Sharing this knowledge openly and generously is at the heart of her teaching. Her aim is to guide you to the places she loves, help you find your own voice through your creativity.

This is a unique workshop where we’ll balance time outdoors, when conditions allow, with relaxed indoor sessions focused on teaching, editing, and creative discussions. We will not stay outdoors all day unless the weather allows, and there will be a relaxed and gentle pace. 

What to expect

Please come along expecting personal input and a slow pace. Margaret is very in tune and focused on helping each person the best way possible and will adapt according to your individual needs. This is not a traditional photography workshop and Margaret works in a slow, mindful way that embraces truly enjoying the landscape you are in with zero fear of missing out on better places.

There are no barriers to taking part – if you do not understand your camera well or if it is new to you, please do not worry at all. You do need filters that fit if you wish to photograph long exposures, but if you prefer to come along for general photography, you do not need any particularly great camera equipment. I have had many people attend with just iPhones, and that is also perfectly fine.

Lots of local knowledge  & possible visits to artists, makers, if they are open and time allows. Each day is flexible and guided by the weather and intuition of what is best for the group.

The weather in the winter can be changeable and wild, so we will make the most of the good times outdoors and then warm up and enjoy nice coffees and cake, discussions, interesting visits and time to chat through your ideas and thoughts. Do not expect to be staying outside all day if the weather is bad. Margaret will ensure you will be comfortable all week and get the best out of each day.

You will have the option to eat as a group at the Harris Hotel in the evenings.  Margaret will be staying at her home in Geocrab, so will collect you first thing and leave you around 6pm so we are all refreshed for the next day.

Please send an email for further information. Please tell me a little about yourself and what you hope to gain from this week. Ask any questions at all that you may have and I will get back to you quickly. Thank you!

To get a flavour for Harris at this time of year, here is a video from 2023 when I spent February and March leading workshops in Harris.