FRIENDS, SOCIETY AND CLUB TRIPS
RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES
Bird-Watching and Walking in the Highlands and Islands
Trip Highlights: Bird-Watching and Walking Holiday, Scotland:
- Visit the Outer Hebrides, which boasts a fantastic diversity of birdlife
- Spend time in the forests of the Cairngorms National Park, searching for the Scottish Crossbill and the Capercaillie
- Learn about the local birds from our expert wildlife guides
Scotland is Europe's best destination for wildlife viewing, with hundreds of bird species, land mammals and abundant marine life. Scotland's islands are home to some of the largest bird colonies to be found anywhere in the world, so visiting these sites is an awe-inspiring experience.
Spending three nights each in the Cairngorms National Park and then on the Isle of Lewis, your guide will lead you on a different hike each day, helping you find and identify many of the birds to be found in these areas. On Lewis, you may see puffins, corncrake, black-throated divers and golden eagles while in the Cairngorms we will seek our capercaillie, Scottish crossbill, crested tit and ospreys.
In a private group, the guide can tailor each day's walk to match your fitness levels, so if you are seeking leisurely walks with a strong focus on wildlife, this is what our guide will provide. Alternatively, if you want to enjoy good long walks and identify some birds along the way, our guide will be happy to recommend and lead suitable routes. On a bespoke trip, it's largely up to our guide to advise while you to choose the routes!
Approximate price based on a group of 6: £895 per person
This includes 6 nights guest house accommodation with breakfast and packed lunch each day, the services of an experienced Wilderness Scotland wildlife guide throughout the holiday, transport in a private vehicle and all ferry fares.
Bird-Watching and Walking in Scotland – Sample Itinerary
Day 1 – We travel to the Cairngorms National Park and enjoy a leisurely walk in the Rothiemurchus Forests in search of some of the local characters!
Day 2 – We visit Glen Feshie where the forests are rich in birdlife - Crested Tits, Dippers, Goosanders, Redstarts, Goldeneyes, Buzzards and Ospreys are among the species which could be seen on this day.
Day 3 – A walk through the beautiful Abernethy Forest is always a treat and many birds can be found amongst the tall Scots Pines. Scottish Crossbill, Capercaillie and Whinchat are just some of the birds found here, and ospreys are regular summer visitors.
Day 4 – A morning drive north to Ullapool allows us to catch a ferry which arrives on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides by early afternoon. The crossing itself will be a treat with a wide range of seabirds easily spotted. We’ll enjoy a coastal walk in the afternoon before reaching our accommodation.
Day 5 – The Outer Hebrides are home to many seabirds including puffins and gannets. On the coast, we can search for corncrakes or move inland in search of divers and golden eagles. These islands are so rich for wildlife viewing that you’ll be spoiled for choice – they even boast one of the densest populations of otters in Europe!
Day 6 – With so much variety, your guide will choose a walk which will help you see some of the birds and other wildlife which is of most interest to you.
Day 7 – There will be time for a final walk in the morning before making the crossing back to the mainland, keeping a look out for whales and dolphins from the ferry.
Longer trips and alternative itineraries are also available - please contact our office for details.
SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES
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