Otter Photography Tour

Tour

Dates

Availability

1

8th - 13th November 2026

3 places available

2

15th - 20th November 2026

3 places available

Mull Otter Tour

Welcome to Pete Walkden's Mull Otter Photography Tour. This five day adventure out on the west coast of Scotland aims to deliver a wild experience, focusing on the healthy population of otters that live on the island.

Limited to a maximum of three photography clients per week, you will have a great opportunity to not only see the Eurasian otter, but learn about them, and to capture some cherished images and videos.

Run in November, the tours hope to enjoy some early winter light, and avoid the dreaded heat-haze that can plague the warmer months around the shores. 

While the tour will be primarily focused on otters, other wildlife subjects can be photographed, plus landscapes and even the Aurora, if conditions suit.

I hope you will leave with many happy memories of encounters with otters, a greater understanding and appreciation of them, and lots of images to enjoy.

 

Otter Photography Tour

About Your Guide - Pete Walkden

I first visited Mull in 2010, and fell in love with the wildlife and landscapes of the island.

In January 2021, I moved from the Midlands to live in the northwest of the island with my brother, and remained there for over two years, exploring the isle, finding great locations for wildlife, and sharing my passion for the wildlife with friends and clients alike.

While I no longer call Mull "home" (circumstances meant I had to relocate to Inverness), I continue to work and holiday there every year, and I have amassed over 15 years of experience of watching and photographing otters, in all weather conditions, through all four seasons.

I've been running tours and workshops on Mull since 2016, in some format, and hope these photography tours can provide new and existing clients with another opportunity to enjoy the wonderful wildlife the island has in abundance.

Otters are probably my favourite animal to photograph, as every experience is different, they are energetic, can be elusive, can be both solitary and gregarious, vicious and extremely caring, and aren't bothered by the wild weather of the west coast.

I hope to spend quality time getting to know you during the tour, and sharing our time with these wonderful creatures.

The Tour

  • Each day will be spent looking for otters, with me driving you round the island in a 4x4 equipped with all-season tyres, so ready for whatever weather we encounter. 
    • You will learn lots about the otters such as:
      • signs of them
      • where they live
      • what they eat
      • how they hunt
      • how they look after themselves
      • where they rest
      • how they mark territories
      • how they interact with each other
    • I will on hand to advise on:
      • when to approach
      • when not to approach
      • how to approach and leave
      • what field-craft techniques to best use
      • suggested photographic settings
  • Other wildlife subjects can be photographed too - I'm a firm believer of making the most of any opportunity, and as winter approaches, chances of encounters with the eagles increases, plus other raptors like hen harriers, buzzards, kestrels, sparrowhawks and even occasionally merlin might be seen. Plus other birds, seals and deer.
  • While the tour is focused on the wildlife, any landscapes can be photographed, and should the Aurora be showing, then it can be photographed during the evenings.
  • The evenings can be spent discussing how the day has gone, highlighting any issues encountered to work out possible solutions, or different approaches, plus reviewing the images taken, looking at post-processing techniques and software tools to get the very best result.
  • The welfare of the otters is paramount on this tour. I will teach you what I believe is the most ethical way of watching and photographing these animals.

Accommodation

  • Centrally located on Mull, near a well stocked shop, open 7 days a week.
  • Each client has their own bedroom, with en-suite shower-room.
  • Plenty of parking space at the accommodation.
  • Wifi available.
  • Breakfast provided by me, plus a packed lunch when out.
  • Evening meal is on a self-catered basis, with full access to the kitchen.
    • Option of travelling to Tobermory for a meal out (clients pay for their own food and drinks), if desired. I can drive, so you can have a drink!
  • Cleaning carried out by me, though any help will be gratefully accepted.

Itinerary

  • Meet at the accommodation to have tea or coffee, settle into your room and meet your fellow guests. Have a meal together, chat and get prepared for the week ahead. 
  • Breakfast before it gets light each day, with tea, coffee and fruit juice available. 
  • Then out to look for otters, making the most of the light each day. 
  • The car will have our packed lunches in, plus drinks and snacks to keep us going.
  • The day will end when we lose the light, and head back to freshen up and prepare dinner.
  • The evenings will be spent chatting about the day, what is hoped for, what could be improved, and just having a light-hearted chat. We can also share post-processing techniques, as everyone seems to do something slightly different these days.
  • Batteries on charge, before sleep and repeating again.
  • The final day will see everyone packed up, but we can go out again for most of the day. Then sadly it's time to say farewell, but hopefully by then, everyone will have enjoyed some amazing encounters with otters and other wildlife on Mull, and will be well prepared to find and approach otters by themselves in the future.

Equipment

  • 500mm or more on a full frame sensor camera
  • 400mm or more on a cropped sensor camera
  • A waterproof cover for your camera, made from a quiet material
  • Dark, waterproof and wind-proof clothing, made from a quiet material
  • Hat, gloves and sturdy boots
  • Spare batteries and cards
  • Support for your camera that you're used to using, and don't bring gear you're unable to carry on the move.

    • Fitness

  • Tracking otters often involves scrambling along rocky shores, over slippery rocks and lying or crouching in seaweed, or other not-so-pleasant things that are around the edges of the lochs. You need to be confident of being able move quickly and as quietly as possible for short periods of time, as instructed by me.
  • You should be able to sit / crouch / lie in a location for anything up to and over an hour, in all weathers.
  • Any fitness concerns should be raised and discussed with me prior to the tour, or even booking, if you're really concerned.
  • Common sense will be applied should the weather be really bad!

    • Included

  • 5 days of photography
  • 5 nights accommodation
  • Guidance, photography help and advice
  • Breakfast
  • Packed lunch
  • Transport around Mull in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle
  • Snacks and drinks during the day

    • Not Included

  • Evening meals
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Transport to and from Mull
  • Items of a personal nature

    • Cost

  • £1395 per person
  • £395 non-refundable deposit*
    •
  • Balance due 10 weeks before tour
  • Arrival at 16:00 on Sunday
  • Departure at 15:00 on Friday


    • * Refunds can only be made if I am able to re-sell the place again.

    Email To Book Your Place

    FAQ

    1What are the arrangements for evening meals?
    The property has a spacious kitchen and plenty of fridge space, so clients can prepare and cook their own meals.
    If one client wishes to cook a meal for everyone, then that's fine.
    The evening meal is on a self-catering basis, and there is a well stocked shop nearby that I can drive to, for supplies.
    2What's for breakfast?
    I will ask each client before the trip for their preferred breakfast, and ensure I have something suitable ready in the accommodation for the tour.
    3What's in the packed lunch?
    Typically this will be a sandwich or roll containing a filling that suits the dietary requirements of each client.
    In addition to this, there will be a tuck box of snacks to accompany it, including crips, chocolate and fresh fruit.
    Drinks will also be provided.
    4Can I stay a 6th night?
    For an additional cost agreed with Pete, this might be possible, but departure would have to be by 9am on the day, to ensure I have time to clear the accommodation ready for the cleaners.
    5Will I have a private bathroom?
    Three of the rooms are en-suite. There is an additional bedroom and bathroom downstairs, that could be used if someone preferred to be downstairs.
    6How long will each day last?
    The days are short in November, so I will be aiming to be out for first light, and head home after the light has been lost, to maximise the available daylight hours.
    7I'm travelling by public transport
    I will collect you from the ferry terminal if this is the case, by arrangement, on the first day of the tour (Sunday), and drop you at the terminal on the final day (Friday).
    8Can I bring a non-photographer partner with me?
    This would need to be discussed with me when booking. In theory, given the size of the property and available beds, then it would be possible, at a discounted rate, as an additional person to the three photographers. But this would need to be agreed with all parties beforehand.