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      Wildlife Adventures
      Scotland: Big Picture
      Rewilding Retreat

      2 review(s)

      Next Trip(s): 22nd Oct Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

      From £1,395 View Prices & Dates

      Travel Planning & Advice

      Our assurance that we continue to deliver responsible and financially protected adventure holidays.

      Book With Confidence

      Trip created by Rachael Gavan
      View Rachael's Profile

      Region: Cairngorms and Central Highlands
      Trip Type: Wildlife
      Accommodation: Classic
      Max Group Size: 8
      Confirmed: When 3 Traveller(s) Book
      Deposit From: £348.75 £348.75

      Grading:

      Carbon Footprint: 131kg ? What does this mean?
      Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      Download Itinerary

      Imagine a Scotland where nature is reawakened. Where the lost tapestry of Scots pine, rowan, birch, oak, aspen, alder and hazel that once draped itself across our hillsides is stitched back together. Where our land and seascapes teem once again with wildlife. Where nature-based enterprises support thriving communities. Where human connections to the natural world are strengthened in villages and cities. Where land and sea, people and wildlife, businesses and culture flourish together.

      This is rewilding. Rewilding in Scotland is part of a growing worldwide movement that seeks to bring about the large-scale restoration of ecosystems on land and at sea. There are many exciting rewilding initiatives underway in the Scottish Highlands that will see large areas of forest, peatland and wetland restored and revitalised. These are the places where sea eagles soar, pine martens forage and beavers shape forest and loch. These are the places where one day, lynx might stalk their prey again.

      Trip Highlights

      • Explore rewilding sites in the Scottish Highlands in the company of local expert guides.
      • Look out for eagles, beaver, osprey and more.
      • Relax in the comfort of a secluded lodge in one of Scotland's most beautiful glens.

      Did you know?


      This trip can be booked as a private departure


      Learn more

      Day by Day Itinerary

      Day 1 – Arrival

      Your guide will meet you at Kingussie train station in the Cairngorms National Park, and a short transfer takes you to our mountain lodge accommodation in beautiful Glen Feshie. After introductions, we will sit down to a welcome dinner, and afterwards enjoy a presentation by our host and rewilding expert Pete Cairns.  (D)

      Day 2 – Wild Glens

      This morning we’ll go for a short morning walk in search of ospreys and to learn about the history of persecution and recovery these birds have gone through in recent times. We’ll then visit a glen that’s right at the start of its rewilding journey; in search of mountain hare, red deer and golden eagles. After lunch, we will then head to a different glen for a gentle walk in a landscape that has been regenerating for some time, to enjoy the scenery and contrast the two glens and the impact of regeneration. (B, L, D)

      Day 3 – Forests and Dolphins

      Today we will head further north to visit one of the first established tree planting sites in the Highlands, to get an idea of what a rewilded Scottish landscape looks like. Keep an eye out also for soaring red kites – another successfully reintroduced species. Afterwards, we will head to the Moray coast to look for bottlenose dolphins which can often be seen feeding and playing close to the shore. We’ll then return to the lodge and have dinner, but to cap off the day a visit a local wildlife hide for a close encounter with pine martens. (B, L, D)

      Day 4 – Working with Nature

      The first stop of the day is a traditional sporting estate, in search of red grouse and black-throated divers, to offer insight into a traditionally managed Scottish landscape. Following this, we visit Lynbreck Croft nearby; to meet the animals and receive a talk from the owners about how they are farming with nature, and how rewilding can become an integral part of a working croft. After a comfort break in the afternoon, we will journey down south to visit an established beaver habitat and learn about how these amazing creatures modify the landscape. Hopefully, we’ll be lucky enough to see one of these elusive animals. (B, L, D)

      Day 5 – West Coast

      A scenic drive will take us to the West Coast of the Highlands, where we’ll drink in the views of the ancient mountains and beautiful sea lochs. Here your guide will point out numerous species, including white-tailed eagles, red deer, divers, and otters. After lunch, we will walk through Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve – the first in Britain – where we will enjoy a talk by one of the local rangers. (B, L, D)

      Day 6 – Caledonian Pinewood

      On the final full day, we’ll have a leisurely breakfast followed by a short trip to observe red squirrels feeding. We’ll then visit the stunning ancient Caledonian pinewood, accompanied by a talk from another expert, to really appreciate what an established forest should look like. Here, we will hopefully have another chance to enjoy golden eagles. Finally, we will head out on a local walk to enjoy a spectacular view over the Cairngorms National Park. (B, L, D)

      Day 7 – Depart for Home

      After a relaxed breakfast we’ll leave the lodge and return you to Kingussie Station for the end of the trip. (B)

      Download Itinerary

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      Wildlife
      Scotland: Big Picture

      To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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      Trip Dates & Prices

      Trip Dates for 2022AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
      22nd Oct - 28th Oct 20224 place(s) leftCONFIRMED£1,395Book Now

      Trip Details

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      Accommodation Read More

      ACCOMMODATION
      This itinerary is based in a single location for the week, at a private mountain lodge in a secluded glen in the Cairngorms. The accommodation offers double and twin rooms with en-suite facilities.

      The lodge is unlicensed, so there will be an opportunity to stop at a local shop on the first day to purchase any alcoholic drinks you would like during your stay.

      SINGLE ROOMS
      There is no supplement charged to solo travellers however, you may be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you require a single room please request this at the time of booking and we can check to see if one is available for you. There is no supplement for single rooms as we have exclusive use of the lodge, but availability is limited and on a first come, first served basis.

      Meals Read More

      All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7 are included in this itinerary.
      Throughout the journey, varied produce will be served up in hearty and imaginative meals. Any special dietary requirements can, of course, be catered for.

      Inclusions Read More
      • 6 nights accommodation in a welcoming lodge accommodation
      • All meals during the trip
        (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
      • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout
      • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Kingussie
      Travel Read More

      Your Guide will meet you at Kingussie railway station at 5pm on Day 1 of your trip. You will be returned to Kingussie station for 10:30am on the final day of your trip.

      If you would like to use your own vehicle on the trip please get in touch with our team to discuss.

      Photo Gallery

      Make This Trip Private

      Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

      Meet Your Guide

      James Shooter
      22nd Oct - 28th Oct 2022

      View guides for all departures

      Difficulty Grades Explained

      Green Graded Wildlife Holidays 1-3
      All of our wildlife trips are graded Green and involve straightforward hiking with no major ascents, as well as other activities which are pitched at novice level. You can expect to be active for around 5 hours each day so you will need a reasonable level of fitness. Please note that there may be some early starts and late nights as we seek to maximise our chances of finding wildlife, although you can always opt out of activities if you prefer an early night or long lie in the morning!

      So to help you decide if you are fit enough for this kind of trip, ask yourself:

      1. Are you generally active and, for example, happy to hike for 6 miles (10km), including some ascent, with rough ground in places?
      2. Are you up for a challenge and trying new activities such as sea kayaking or boat trips?
      3. Are you looking for a wildlife trip which involves more than simply sitting in a hide?

      Compare wildlife trip grades

      Trip Reviews

      Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 2 review(s) of Wildlife Adventures – Scotland: Big Picture – Rewilding Retreat

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      Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

      That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

      RR

      Ria Robinson

      Reviewed on 19/10/2021

      Age: 30 - 40
      Country: United Kingdom
      Trip Date: 02/10/2021
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      Great trip all round, thank you

      Show More
      LR

      Luke Robinson

      Reviewed on 18/10/2021

      Age: 30 - 40
      Country: United Kingdom
      Trip Date: 02/10/2021
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      It was a fantastic trip. Very informative. Accommodation was great as was the food. Couldn't have asked for much more really. Some of the longer journeys were a little tedious, not helped by the current covid mask rules. However that wasn't in your control and is the nature of traveling around Scotland. Would love to come back and see the progress of the rewilding efforts.

      Show More

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