Trip Overview

There’s nothing quite like the mystique of winter in Scotland. Join us for a journey deep into the heart of the Highlands, exploring some of Scotland’s richest winter habitats, including the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest and hills of the Cairngorms National Park, which are home to some of the UK’s most elusive wildlife.

From snow-capped mountains to enchanting forests, frozen lochs and dark night skies, we’ll set out each day on foot to explore a variety of different habitats and learn more about the Highland wildlife and their ability to endure during the harsh winter conditions. Exploring with your expert guide, they will help you spot tracks, identify different species and interpret fascinating wildlife behaviours.

Discover how these vast areas of wilderness are managed and learn about the extensive re-wilding programmes that are in place intending to restore a greater natural balance to the ecosystems. Return to your handpicked accommodation each evening, where you’ll receive a warm welcome and a hearty meal.

Day 1 – Wonders of the Wetlands Read Less: Day 1
Wonders of the Wetlands
Meet your guide in the town of Kingussie this morning and kick off your adventure by exploring the Insh Marshes Nature Reserve. One of the largest wetlands in the UK, this diverse ecosystem provides a home to many species of birdlife throughout the seasons, including the arrival of winter migrants such as whooper swans and greylag geese, as well as wintering ducks like wigeon and tufted ducks. As we explore, your knowledgeable guide will point out various species and distinguish between their fascinating calls. Later this afternoon, we’ll settle into your cosy accommodation, our home in the Highlands, for the duration of the trip.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 – The Caledonian Pine Forest Read Less: Day 2
The Caledonian Pine Forest
Stretching from the River Nethy to the top of Ben Macdui, high on the Cairngorm plateau, the Abernethy National Nature Reserve is one of the largest natural habitats in Scotland. It encompasses the largest remnants of Caledonian pine forest, sweeping moors, wetlands, and of course, the iconic Cairngorm mountains range with its arctic-like plateau. The reserve is home to a host of specialist pinewood as well as many native upland plants and animals. We’ll venture deep into the Caledonian Pine Forest, where we will look for red squirrels, birds of prey and forest birds. Keep an eye out for signs for the pine marten and the rare capercaillie. Red deer are also common here, so tread lightly as an encounter with one of these majestic animals is truly unforgettable. As you walk with your guide, you’ll learn about the ongoing land management and rewilding projects in the Cairngorms National Park and across Scotland.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 – Coastlines and Constellations Read Less: Day 3
Coastlines and Constellations
Stepping away from the Cairngorms National Park today, we head north to Findhorn Bay – a large tidal lagoon that provides shelter for various wildlife throughout the seasons. As we explore the sweeping sands that skirt the coastline, you’ll see waders like oystercatchers, curlew, and golden plovers dart across the wet sand through the shallows. Other species here include wildfowl such as pintail, teal and goldeneye. We will keep our eyes on the water as well as we may spot a bobbing head of a seal. The area is also home to wintering pink-footed geese – catching the sounds and sight of their flights in and out of the bay is a special experience on a cool winter day. We’ll enjoy an earlier dinner this evening before wrapping up warm and heading out for a short evening walk. We’ll admire the countless stars this area of dark sky affords us while looking out for owls and other nocturnal creatures. You may even catch a glimpse of the elusive northern lights if you’re lucky enough.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 – Cairngorm Mountains Read Less: Day 4
Cairngorm Mountains
High in the hills of the Cairngorms National Park, you’ll find some of the UK’s most resilient wildlife, including the mountain hare and snow bunting, and species of ground-nesting birds like the ptarmigan which are unique to this area. We’re able to drive to 600m elevation, so we are high in the mountains from the start of our walk. We’ll keep an eye out for snow bunting nesting in the northern corries and listen for the distinct call of the ptarmigan travelling through the crisp mountain air. You may also spot red deer as well as the free-roaming reindeer – this area is home to the UK’s only herd. Returning to your accommodation, we’ll enjoy our final evening meal together and reflect on the many different plants and animals we’ve seen so far.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 – The Water of Life Read Less: Day 5
The Water of Life
After a hearty Scottish breakfast this morning, we will step out to explore one final wintery habitat. Enjoy a local walk along the bank of the River Spey, not too far from its source. Look for signs of the winter inhabitants, such as the otter, whose dense fur allows it to stay warm in the cold winter months. We may spy a grey heron fishing in the currents. As we walk, you’ll learn the river’s importance for salmon and other fish – and its crucial role in producing some of Scotland’s finest whiskies. After the walk, we will transfer you to the railway station again, where we’ll say goodbye, and you will start your journey home, leaving the wintery Highlands behind you.
Meals Included: Breakfast

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Winter Wildlife

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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 preferred departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

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Winter Wildlife

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Trip Details

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Accommodation Read More

Throughout this trip, we will be based in a small guest house located in the Cairngorms National Park which offers double and twin rooms with en-suite facilities and a relaxing lounge area. Each evening, a variety of local produce will be served up in hearty meals, and of course, any special dietary requirements are happily catered for, just let us know at the time of booking.

Room Types

Single – A private room with one large bed. Available for an additional supplement. Limited availability; allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Double – A shared room with one large bed.

Twin – A shared room with two separate single beds.

Meals Read More

Meals included on this trip are breakfast and lunch each guided day, with evening meals included on day one and day four. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

On this trip, we generally eat dinner as a group, however, if you would like to make alternative arrangements, you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group.

Inclusions Read More

4 nights accommodation in handpicked accommodation
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide/driver throughout
All transport throughout the trip, starting from the train station in Kingussie on Day 1 and finishing there on the last day.

Grading Read More: Green Graded 1-3
Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails, but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km, but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

Travel - Arrival and Departure Read More

All transport and travel are included in your trip from your meeting point at Kingussie Railway Train Station at 11:30am on day 1 to your final day when you are dropped back to the station for 12:30pm.

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

Trip Reviews

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 17 review(s) of Wildlife Adventures – Winter Wildlife

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.

Carl Broomhead

Reviewed on 25/03/2024

Age: 50 - 60
Country: United Kingdom
Trip Date: 07/03/2024
Trips Taken: 11

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Another lovely trip, you cannot underestimate how good it is to have a guide who not only loves his job but excels at it as well. That was Joe. Roll on the next trip!

Deborah Robson

Reviewed on 15/03/2024

Age: 50 - 60
Country: United Kingdom
Trip Date: 07/03/2024
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Very well organised trip, excellent accommodation with great guide and a relaxed walking pace. We spent time in a variety of different landscapes, all very beautiful in different ways. We didn't see as much wildlife generally as I'd hoped for but I did learn a lot about conservation, rewilding, the problems faced by the wildlife in the areas we visited and the positive interventions that are taking place. The evening encounter with a mountain hare was a very magical experience and definitely the highlight of the trip for me.

Eliza Romm

Reviewed on 29/02/2024

Age: 40 - 50
Country: United States
Trip Date: 22/02/2024
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

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Wilderness Scotland

Winter Wildlife

Trip Overview

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Day by DayItinerary

Day 1

Wonders of the Wetlands

Day 2

The Caledonian Pine Forest

Day 3

Coastlines and Constellations

Day 4

Cairngorm Mountains

Day 5

The Water of Life

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Green Graded 1-3

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