Highland Wildlife Safari

Departing: June 2027 - June 2027

Wildlife takes centre stage on this journey through the Scottish Highlands, where mountains, forests, lochs and wetlands provide a home for an extraordinary variety of species. At the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve and Loch Garten, look out for ospreys alongside red squirrels, deer and woodland birds, while a boat trip on the Moray Firth offers the chance to see its famous bottlenose dolphins. At the House of Aigas, discover conservation projects involving beavers and Scottish wildcats, then head west to Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, where ancient pinewoods survive beneath the dramatic mountains of Wester Ross. The exotic planting of Inverewe adds another dimension, before visits to Insh Marshes and other protected habitats reveal the richness of the Highland landscape. With wildlife, scenery and conservation woven throughout, this is a fascinating look at Scotland’s natural world.

Included

Explore Lowes Visitor Centre & Wildlife Reserve, with entrance fees included
All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
Professional Tour Manager
3 nights at the Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 3 dinners
Private air-conditioned coach travel

Highlights

Ospreys on the nest at Loch Garten and Loch of the Lowes
The chance to see the famous Moray Firth dolphins
A walk on the wild side at Ben Eighe
Spectacular plant life at Inverewe
Beavers and wildcats at the House of Aigas

Tour Itinerary

We depart from our designated points and head up the A9, stopping for refreshments, to the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve, near Dunkeld. Loch of the Lowes covers 98 hectares and from early April to late August, the star attraction is a pair of breeding ospreys. From the hide, you can also spot fallow and roe deer, otters, red squirrels and common woodland birds, including tree creepers and great-spotted woodpeckers. We continue to the Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore, which has an extensive collection of both native and exotic animals and birds.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Duke of Gordon Hotel

After breakfast, we make our way to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, for our Moray Firth Dolphin Cruise. Though nothing is ever guaranteed where wildlife is concerned, we hope to see some of the bottlenose dolphins at close quarters, plus common seals, grey seals and porpoise. There is also a wide variety of bird life such as terns, gannets, fulmars, razorbills, kittiwakes, red kites and ospreys, and a variety of wading birds on the shoreline. Following our cruise, we depart for the House of Aigas Field Centre, near Beauly. Here we enjoy an included lunch using produce from the estate before embarking on a guided walk to view the beaver dam, Scottish wildcat project and other native wildlife such as red squirrels.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Duke of Gordon Hotel

This morning, we travel through some glorious mountain scenery to Kinlochewe, at the head of Loch Maree. Here we visit the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, located on the loch’s southern shore beneath the mighty 3000-foot face of Slioch. It is the oldest nature reserve in Britain, comprising 10,500 acres, and was established in 1951. The reason for its designation is the 500-acre remnant of the Western Caledonian Pine forest which is carefully protected, the whole reserve having been fenced and sheep removed to allow natural regeneration to take place. Now the short nature trail through the ancient woodland of Scots Pine, birch, juniper and heather gives a wonderful impression of the Wild Wood of Caledon as it once was, now hopefully preserved forever.

After our woodland walk, we continue for an afternoon visit to Inverewe Gardens, unquestionably recognised as one of the most outstanding gardens in the country with a host of botanical specimens both native and exotic. The balmy Gulf Stream Drift Climate promotes luxuriant growth and today it is a jungle of mature trees and shrubs laced with winding walks, rising and falling, giving sudden glimpses of shimmering water through the foliage.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Duke of Gordon Hotel

Following breakfast, we check out of the hotel and travel south to visit the Abernethy National Nature Reserve at Loch Garten. In this remnant of the Caledonian Pine Forest, we hope to see a number of different bird species, including the crested tit, crossbills (three species) and more ospreys, which have been nesting here since the 1950s and can be seen from the comfort of the osprey centre. Continuing south, our final stop is at the RSPB Reserve at Insh Marshes, near Kingussie. The marshes, part of the River Spey floodplain, are home to large populations of breeding waders, including curlews, lapwings, redshanks and snipes. We depart for home, returning to the original pick-up points in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation

Set in the Cairngorms village of Kingussie, the Duke of Gordon Hotel is a historic Highland property with origins dating back to the 18th century, surrounded by mountains and beautiful countryside. All en-suite rooms include flatscreen TV, direct-dial telephone, tea and coffee-making facilities and free Wi-Fi. The hotel also has a traditional restaurant, bar and lounge, garden and regular evening entertainment.

Availability & Booking

2027

19th June from $1,535

Call to Book

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