Meet the rest of the group at our accommodation in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, or alternatively, we can arrange a pick-up from Inverness. After meeting Kevin and settling into our accommodation, which overlooks Loch Alvie, there's time to explore the grounds as an introduction to the area. Riverine woodland, pine forest, flood meadows and the broad gravel bed of the Feshie are all waiting to be explored directly from the lodge.

It is likely that most of the photographic opportunities that appear will be woodland birds, including crested tits and woodpeckers that frequent the characterful lichen-laden trees.

Accommodation: The Rowan Tree, 7 nights

After a good rest and a hearty breakfast, we take a drive through the Cairngorms to a location where there is a good population of mountain hares.

During the winter months, mountain hares are resplendent in their white winter coats. The approach to the site where we aim to photograph mountain hares is on foot. It is possible to find and photograph mountain hares a short distance from the roadside, on lower ground, within a 20-minute walk.

We aim to spend all day on the hillside, allowing us to maximise the time we have to photograph these iconic animals in their environment. Kevin will guide us to the best locations to photograph mountain hares and provide expert tuition throughout the day.

In the evening, after a well-earned dinner, we have time to go through images and image processing, with Kevin again being on hand to provide expert tuition

For the next couple of days, we will visit a purpose-built red squirrel hide that is in a stunning forest location and hope for plenty of activity from these busy icons of the Scottish wilderness.

In the afternoon, we drive the short distance to an area of Caledonian pine forest where we photograph crested tits. With no hides (the crested tits are used to the presence of humans), we are free to move around in the open, making the best use of the light. With the variety of old gnarled pine trees with lichen-covered branches and younger pine trees with lush green pine needles, this area offers many different opportunities to photograph this pine forest specialist.

In the morning, we look for snow buntings at a location where they can be found at a low altitude during the winter months.

During the afternoon we will photograph red deer on a nearby estate where the deer come down from the hillside to be fed by the estate’s rangers in a woodland environment. These two locations are stunning in any condition but become magical in snowy conditions.

For these two days of the itinerary, we aim to work with the conditions to target our preferred photographic preferences. If the conditions are right, and for those that want to we will walk up into the Northern Corries in search of ptarmigan, which will be in their white winter plumage. We could also return to the location where we photographed mountain hares or alternatively explore a different area in search of red deer.

Another option is to spend more time exploring the local area, looking for wildlife. If you would prefer an easier day, you can stay at the hotel for the day and spend time photographing the wildlife in the grounds of the hotel.

This morning after breakfast, it is sadly time to depart. If you have arranged a transfer back to Inverness, Kevin will drop any group members off; otherwise, you are free to make your own journey home.