When Storm Amy Hit Glencoe: A Workshop to Remember
It began, as all good photography adventures do, with high hopes, packed lenses, and waterproofs that turned out to be more “optimistic” than “storm-proof.”
Our SheClicks crew, led by the brilliant Angela Nicholson and me, Emily Endean, gathered at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel - ready to capture Scotland at its dramatic best. The mood was high, the coffee was strong, and the weather (for the first day, at least) seemed to be cooperating - well kind of, it is the highlands of Scotland after all!
Me, captured in action at the Buchanty Spout.
Thanks for the photo Felicity!
Chasing Light in the Highlands
We spent our first day exploring some of Glencoe’s most iconic spots: the atmospheric Glencoe Quarry, the roaring Buachaille Etive Mòr waterfall (which was already rushing with so much water it felt alive), and of course the Langarbh “wee white hut” and Blackrock Cottage, sitting proudly beneath those misty mountain backdrops every photographer dreams of.
Closer to the hotel, we wandered along the loch, finding reflections, boats, and quiet moments between the gusts of wind. Spirits were high, memory cards were filling fast, and it felt like the perfect Scottish photo adventure.
Then Came Storm Amy.
By the next day, the forecasts had gone from “a bit breezy” to “hold onto your tripod” levels of wind. Storm Amy arrived with 90mph gusts, sideways rain, and an attitude. Within hours, trees were down, the power went out, and Glencoe fell eerily quiet - no lights, no heating, no phone signal.
The Isles of Glencoe Hotel had to close for safety, and suddenly our workshop turned into a real-life adventure story.
Me in a flapping poncho laughing in the wind and rain of Storm Amy in Glencoe.
Thanks for the photo, Karen! :)
Team Spirit in Action
Despite the chaos, everyone remained calm, kind, and practical. Cameras were packed, torches were found, and Angela and Emily somehow managed to keep everything running smoothly.
Two of our lovely participants made the difficult decision to head home early for safety reasons - a completely understandable choice, and they did so with such grace and good humour. They were every bit part of the team spirit that defined this trip.
The rest of us set off - boots soggy but smiles intact - at that point into the unknown…. headed for Crieff Hydro, the Isles’ sister hotel about an hour or so away. It was a surreal journey - a real hazard perception test trying to dodge the fallen trees! Leaving dark, stormy Glencoe, we stepped into a warm, bright lobby with power and heat, a group of windblown photographers holding cameras and snacks.
Examining the details of composition while sheltering from the rain in what felt like a bin bag!
Thanks for the photo Alison!
New Scenery, New Stories
Our Glencoe workshop may have taken a detour, but creativity doesn’t stop for the weather. We hunkered down in our new lodges that night and came up with a new plan….
The next day, we explored Loch Turret, where - to everyone’s amazement - the storm clouds finally broke, and the sun came out in full force. The reflections were glassy, the light golden, and the laughter echoed across the hills. We were back in action!
After a well-earned lunch, we visited Buchanty Spout, a beautiful waterfall where we were treated to an unforgettable sight: salmon leaping upstream, defying the current just as fiercely as we’d defied the storm.
Reflections on a Wild Week
What began as a landscape photography workshop became something much deeper - a reminder of resilience, adaptability, and community.
Yes, we faced chaos, unpredictable weather, and a full power outage… but we also shared laughter, teamwork, and a renewed appreciation for the beauty of Scotland - sunshine and storms included.
As the saying goes, “bad weather makes good stories.” And this one’s definitely a story we’ll never forget.
So if you ever hear someone mention “that SheClicks workshop in Glencoe,” you’ll know the one they mean: The week we braved Storm Amy, moved mountains (and hotels), and came home with memories, friendships, and photographs that say it all.
Full video coming on Youtube…… and thanks for the wonderful photographs used here, all provided by the team - and what a team it was….
Thanks for reading,
Emily x
