{"id":128259,"date":"2019-06-01T11:13:59","date_gmt":"2019-06-01T10:13:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amateurphotographer.co.uk\/?p=128259"},"modified":"2019-06-01T11:15:51","modified_gmt":"2019-06-01T10:15:51","slug":"location-guide-elgol-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/technique\/location-guide-elgol-ready\/","title":{"rendered":"Location guide: Elgol"},"content":{"rendered":"

The road from Broadford to Elgol on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, is littered with photo opportunities, and what should take about 35-40 minutes to travel the 15 or so miles to the coast can easily take you all day. However, the fabulous lochs of Cill Chriosd and Slapin are purely appetisers for what awaits at the end of the road.<\/p>\n

A beach that faces west and is littered with an abundance of rocks is going to attract anyone with an interest in landscape photography, but throw in a backdrop of the staggeringly dramatic Cuillin Ridge, and the place becomes a bucket-list destination. For this reason the area within 200 metres from the pier can get crowded and is always a popular spot for workshops.<\/p>\n

The beach heads north from the little car park towards a yellow overhanging cliff, after which it bends right. The majority of the interesting rocks can be found here, but take your time to explore, and try to anticipate new compositions as the tide gradually moves in or out.<\/p>\n

Elgol isn\u2019t just a one-trick pony. The clifftops south of the harbour offer a nice vista across Loch Scavaig, or follow the path south of the village and you will find a much quieter shore with some interesting rocks and that same dramatic backdrop.<\/p>\n\t\t

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I was on my way back to the car when I noticed the face in the rock. Fujifilm X-T2, 16-55mm, 6.5sec at f\/10, ISO 100. Credit: Dave Fieldhouse<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Shooting advice<\/h2>\n

When to go<\/h3>\n

Elgol can be photographed at any time of the year, but the location works best in the late afternoon or around sunset. Don\u2019t be put off if epic light isn\u2019t forecast \u2013 a cloudy day can still produce a moody image if your composition is strong enough.<\/p>\n

Food and lodging<\/h3>\n

There are very few facilities at Elgol itself, especially out of season, so maybe take a snack and drink with you. The town of Broadford (15 miles from Elgol) has a good selection of places to eat and stay. Caf\u00e9 Sia always has a great choice of coffee and cake, as well as handmade pizza and locally sourced wines.<\/p>\n

Word of warning<\/h3>\n

As with any coastal location check the tide times before you go (it is unlikely you will pick up any 3G\/4G signal here). This is a beach that is mostly rock. While the variety of rocks provides unlimited photographic potential, they can be very slippery when wet. I would advise you stow your camera gear safely in the bag as you traverse the shoreline.<\/p>\n\t\t

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If you don\u2019t like the weather at Elgol wait five minutes and it will change. Fujifilm X-T2, 16-55mm, 3sec at f\/11, ISO 100. Credit: Dave Fieldhouse<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

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Kit list<\/h3>\n