If you've ever dreamed about working and living within a stunning remote Highland village, we might have the opportunity for you! Right now we're looking for a Gallery Manager to join our team.
Why Join Us at the Applecross Gallery?
Applecross Photographic Gallery is not your usual retail operation; we’ve seen a large expansion in our web, wholesale, and events operations and we do it from the best view in the Highlands, overlooking Skye and Raasay.
Founded by photographer, Jack Marris, we capture the beauty of Scotland’s Highlands, contribute to the local community, and always make time to enjoy a good coffee.
At the Gallery, you're not just an employee; you're part of the wider community. We're a family that celebrates diversity and fosters an environment where everyone is welcome and empowered to excel.
“Applecross is a beautiful place with a magical call that’s hard to get out of your mind.” – James, Team Member
As a senior member of the operation, you’ll oversee a busy operation and focus on developing the business, the team, and yourself. You'll enjoy:
Rewards for Excellence: A competitive salary with a commission structure and an end-of-season bonus to celebrate your accomplishments.
Development Opportunities: We support our team's growth, offering a pathway for professional development.
A Supportive Team: We pride ourselves in our values and culture. Join a group of passionate individuals dedicated to upholding our reputation as the #1 Gallery in the Highlands.
Life and Living: Applecross is a rich community, with an award-winning pub, restaurant and gym and sports facilities in the village. We provide Live-in accommodation nearby.
A Day in the Life of Our Gallery Manager
Your role is pivotal, featuring tasks such as:
Orchestrating the gallery’s daily operations to maintain a great experience for customers.
Stretching and framing our canvas prints, managing websales and international distribution.
Cultivating a team culture that thrives on growth, and pride in attention to detail.
What We Seek in You
We're on the lookout for someone who is:
Enthusiastically engaged with the world of photography or the outdoors, demonstrating a passion for sharing the beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
Agile and adaptable, with a talent for balancing the operational with the inspirational.
Experienced in managing a retail space, bringing a track record of success and innovation
For more info and to apply through Indeed, click here.
Time and time again, we hear people saying that the Isle of Skye is too busy around the holiday season, with all the hotspots losing some of their charm due to overcrowding.
So, we wanted to share a hidden gem on the Isle of Skye that's less well-known but worth your time! It involves a fairly easy 4km hike and offers incredible views of the Cuillins. It's Camasunary Bay!
Jack visited this spot in early 2023 with Toivo the dog and had quite the experience there. This is a throwback to that trip, with Jack telling the story in his own words. Hopefully, it gives you inspiration for a future trip.
A Hidden Gem On The Isle of Skye: Camasunary Bay
Leaving Applecross and driving over to Skye, I turned off the main road at Broadford and headed down the winding single-track route towards Elgol, past Torrin and Loch Slapin, admiring the amazing views of Blà Bheinn (pronounced Blah-Ven) offered on the way. Instead of going all the way to the end of the road I parked up at the small township of Kilmarie and began the hike along the well-made track west.
The sign at the start of the walk
As mentioned before, this walk might not be as popular as the well-known hikes you'll find on Google or Trip Advisor, but it has just as much to offer, with terrific panoramic views, fresh Skye air, and unlike some of the top results, plenty of peace and quiet. Admittedly it was January, but I only saw one other person the entire time. If you're also like a couple of members of our gallery team, you'll love the opportunity it provides for a wild swim when you get to the other end too.
Toivo posing at the top of the bay
After about two miles of steady uphill hiking, you'll reach the best viewpoint overlooking the bay with Sgurng sharply on the other side and hints of the impressive Black Cuillin ridge behind Sgurr na Stri.
My original idea with this trip was to get a picture similar to the February 2023 image in my calendar, from Sgurr na Stri, hoping for a clear sunrise to display the knife edge of the Black Cuillin Ridge beyond.
This extended hike would involve a river crossing on the far side of Camusunary Bay, which is usually doable, but with the amount of rain we’d been subjected to over the last few weeks, I was worried about how high the river would be. This was also Toivo’s first winter camp, and I wanted to make sure we stayed safe and didn’t tackle anything too challenging.
With that in mind, I decided to stay at the bothy, but I’m hopeful that this camp will be completed in the future when the weather is a little less wet.
If you don’t know, bothies are buildings you can find across the UK, maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. They offer simple shelters in remote locations for the benefit of anyone wanting to sleep in the wilderness. Bothies are free to use, and you take all your own equipment with you for your stay but are safe knowing you’ll have a decent roof over your head for the night.
An example of what you might find entering a bothy - random socks! Toivo enjoyed looking out the window
Arriving At Camasunary Bay
We arrived at the bay around sunset to overcast conditions, hopeful of a sunrise in the morning. With it being January, it got dark early and I wasn’t feeling too hungry after eating a ‘bothy beast sandwich’ from the Coffee Bothy at Broadford, so I decided to head to bed early. With it being so early, I couldn’t sleep, and at around 11pm, I decided to get up again and head out to fill up my water bottle and make something to eat.
A Light Night Aurora On The Isle of Skye
I went outside to see that the night was clear, and with no light pollution, the stars were brilliant. I looked on my left up toward the north and was greeted with the bright green sky of an aurora.
Stunning aurora display outside of the bothy around 11pm
Dinner had to wait a while as I ran to get my camera. As mentioned in a previous blog (which you can read here for more tips on aurora photography), you can have just a short window of time to photograph an aurora, but this one decided to stick around long enough that I got some amazing footage. As I headed back to bed, I knew this had become a bothy trip that I’d remember for a long time.
The Next Morning
Waking up to my alarm I hoped to be greeted with a clear morning sky. Instead, I could see a mixture of clouds and clear sky passing through, and as I properly looked out of the window I saw that everything was covered in a beautiful blanket of snow, right down to the edge of the beach.
The next morning
A happy Toivo in the snow
Toivo went out first and had a wonderful time bounding around and playing in the snow, and I followed on with my camera. As the sun rose, the clouds were thin enough to diffuse the light coming through, changing the colours surrounding me from cold blues and greys to vivid pinks and purples, lighting everything up like a neon sign. The panorama just below really showcases those colours. I love the way that you start with the freezing snow clouds and cool blues on the left and experience a gradient over to the warmer sunrise colours on the right.
A winter's sunrise at Camasunary Bay
Before I headed back to Applecross I decided to go and enjoy another bothy beast sandwich in front of the welcome warmth of the fire at the Coffee Bothy. This cafe is owned by Andrew and Rich, alongside Jynx the dog! They always provide a friendly welcome and good conversation. If you’re headed to Skye, make sure you go to try a bothy beast yourself, or just enjoy some wonderful coffee and cake!
Andrew, Rich, and Jynx at the Coffee Bothy in Broadford
It continued to snow heavily, and I drove back to Applecross surrounded by picturesque scenes. Applecross itself had been missed by a lot of the snow, meaning that the Bealach was passible in my Land Rover (Never seen the Bealach in the snow? Check out this image).
As ever, please send over any questions you have from this post! Would you be keen to know about more hidden Highland gems that I've discovered over the years?
Isle of Skye FAQs
What are some recommended hiking trails on the Isle of Skye?
Hiking trails on the Isle of Skye include the challenging Cuillin Ridge, the Fairy Glen, the Old Man of Storr, and the Trotternish Ridge, offering great views of the island's landscape.
What are some lesser-known attractions on the Isle of Skye?
Lesser-known attractions on the Isle of Skye include Talisker Bay, Neist Point Lighthouse, and Coral Beach, offering secluded spots away from the crowds.
How do I get to the Isle of Skye?
You can reach the Isle of Skye by car via the Skye Bridge from the mainland, or by bus from major cities like Inverness and Glasgow. Alternatively, you can take a scenic ferry ride from Mallaig to Armadale.
What activities are available for families on the Isle of Skye?
Families visiting the Isle of Skye can enjoy activities such as wildlife watching, boat trips to spot seals and dolphins, visiting the Skye Museum of Island Life, and exploring fairy-tale castles.
In Glencoe and across to the Glen Coe Valley, there are so many hiking opportunities to enjoy, whether you're a seasoned pro aiming to scale every Munro going, or you're planning on a shorter walk with impressive views. Today we'll be sharing some of the best, which have all been experienced and photographed by Jack.
Aonach Eagach Ridge
The Aonach Eagach Ridge (notched ridge) is a formidable traverse often touted as the narrowest ridge in mainland Britain. It covers around 10km of challenging terrain, linking the Munros of Meall Dearg and Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh. The route is classed as a grade 2/3 scramble and involves moderate rock climbing, suited for experienced hikers. The trail boasts stunning panoramic views of Ben Nevis and Loch Leven. Make sure you choose a dry day for this one and leave plenty of time to complete it in daylight.
"The Aonach Eagach is not for the faint-hearted but to photograph it and camp high up for golden hour pictures, I took a less well-known and more straightforward route to get to the top. Meall Dearg, the Munro in the middle of the dramatic scramble, can be accessed via a path from the north, starting near Loch Leven. Surprisingly in the middle of such a dramatic ridge, there are lots of patches flat enough to pitch a tent for wild camping here!"
Buachaille Etive Mor is one of the best mountains to climb in Glencoe and is also one of the best-known Munro peaks, popular for both hiking and photography. You can't miss the pyramid peak dominating the skyline as you drive the main A82 road, and from the top, it provides stunning panoramic views of Glencoe and beyond. The steep hike is around 8km, offering a well-defined path and some scrambly areas, but overall a more manageable adventure compared to some of the more demanding peaks in the valley.
"To get away from the masses heading up it and to get a great view across towards it, I camped on Beinn a’Chrùlaiste instead. It was memorable for many reasons but in the morning the cloud rolled in the glen below to form a beautiful inversion."
Bidean nam Bian is the highest peak in a group of mountains south of Glencoe and north of Glen Etive. The mountain partially consists of the famous Three Sisters of Glen Coe, three steep ridges extending north into the Glen. There are several routes to the summit, with well-worn paths available, but a very rocky terrain needing mild scrambling.
What You Need To Know: The Best Mountains To Climb In Glencoe
Glencoe is full of opportunities for hiking and climbing. If you're after something a wee bit shorter and on the ground, we recommend Glencoe Lochan, which is perfect for a family walk and picnic! If you are aiming to head up into the mountains, don't forget to take essential clothing and stay safe. You never know when the Highland weather will change. If you're looking for somewhere to set up camp before or after your hike, head for the Red Squirrel Campsite.
For more Glencoe inspiration, make sure you check out our Glen Coe Collection!
What wildlife can I expect to see while hiking in Glencoe?
While hiking in Glencoe, you may encounter a variety of wildlife, including red deer, mountain hares, ptarmigan, golden eagles, and various species of birds and small mammals. It's essential to respect wildlife and observe from a distance.
Are there any guided hiking tours available in Glencoe?
There are several guided hiking tours available in Glencoe led by experienced local guides. These tours offer insights into the area's rich history, geology, and wildlife while ensuring a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.
Can I wild camp while hiking in Glencoe?
Wild camping is permitted in certain areas of Glencoe, but it's essential to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and leave no trace. There are also campsites and bothies available for those looking for more established accommodation options.
Are there family-friendly hiking trails in Glencoe?
Yes, there are several family-friendly hiking trails in Glencoe, such as the Glencoe Lochan Loop, which offers a gentle stroll through beautiful woodlands and around a tranquil lochan, perfect for families with children.
