Gannet Photography in Scotland at RSPB Troup Head

Scotland's Only Mainland Gannet Colony

Experience one of Britain's most spectacular seabird photography locations at Troup Head RSPB Nature Reserve. The high cliffs of Troup Head provide a dramatic setting for Scotland's largest mainland gannet colony, where thousands of these majestic seabirds create an unforgettable wildlife spectacle.

Join us for a full day of guided photography at this remarkable location, where you can get incredibly close to nesting gannets and witness the bustling seabird city at the height of the breeding season.

Troup Head's twenty-nine hectares of cliff-face rise to more than 90 meters, offering nesting perches, nooks and crannies to over 50,000 seabirds each year. This is one of the most accessible seabird photography locations in the UK, with birds nesting right up to the clifftop, only yards from the path.

The Stars of Troup Head: Northern Gannets

Over 3,000 pairs of Northern Gannets return to Troup Head each spring, creating Britain's largest mainland gannet colony. These magnificent birds, with their creamy gold-colored heads, striking blue eyes, and black-tipped wings spanning up to two meters, are spectacular subjects for photography.

What makes Troup Head truly exceptional is your proximity to these beautiful birds

You can photograph hundreds of nests almost all the way down to the sea, with birds right at the clifftop edge. Watch gannets skillfully maneuvering and hanging in the breeze, witness their elaborate greeting displays as pairs renew their bonds, and capture them as they dive head-first into the sea at speeds up to 60 km/h with their wings folded back.

Perfect for Flight Photography: The constant activity of gannets returning with nesting materials, circling the colony, and diving for fish provides endless opportunities for dramatic flight photography against stunning coastal backdrops.

Beyond the gannets,

Troup Head hosts thousands of other seabirds creating a cacophony of sound and motion:

Kittiwakes - Thousands of these graceful cliff-nesting gulls
Guillemots - Crowding the ledges in vast numbers
Razorbills - Distinctive black and white auks
Puffins - In smaller numbers, nesting in burrows and crevices
Fulmars - Gliding effortlessly along the cliff faces
Herring Gulls - Adding to the bustling seabird metropolis

The Perfect Light for Seabird Photography

Our full-day workshop is scheduled from 10am through to early evening specifically to maximize the beautiful light that transforms Troup Head.

The warm afternoon and early evening light enhances the creamy gold of the gannets' heads, creates stunning backlit opportunities, and adds depth and atmosphere to the dramatic cliff-face photography.

By staying until early evening, you'll experience the changing light conditions that can make ordinary scenes extraordinary, with the low sun illuminating the white plumage of thousands of seabirds against the deep blue of the sea.

Expert Guidance from Local Specialists

Our team has photographed at Troup Head many times and knows this spectacular reserve intimately. We understand the best positions for different lighting conditions, where to stand for optimal gannet flight shots, and how to make the most of the incredible proximity to nesting birds.

We'll provide guidance on:

Camera settings for photographing diving gannets and fast-moving seabirds
Composition techniques for the dramatic cliff-face scenes
Working with the challenging light conditions at the cliff edge
Capturing the behavior and interactions of nesting gannets
Making the most of the afternoon and evening light
Safety around the unfenced clifftop areas

Whether you're photographing the intricate detail of gannet plumage, dramatic aerial action, intimate nesting behavior, or the grand spectacle of the entire colony, we'll be there to help you capture stunning images.

Workshop Details

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