about heatherlea

1. Local Knowledge
   Guides who live in the area know what is going on! All Heatherlea guides live in Nethybridge or the surrounding area. Our team members see Capercaillie, owls, Pine Marten and more when off duty, and you benefit the next day. Local guides will always know more than those travelling into the area.
2. Continuity
   We work here every week from early March until November. Where are Capercaillie most active this season? Which Blackcock lek is still going strong? Where are Golden Eagles best seen this year? These are the questions a Heatherlea guide answers every week. We build an enormous reservoir of information not available anywhere else, and you get the benefit.
3. Training
   All Heatherlea guides go through a long induction process. Learning how to find Capercaillie every week and many other skills are demanded of all Heatherlea guides. Skill in the field is very important in this wilderness area.
4. Integrity
   We never mislead anyone, or suggest that you might see something we don’t believe in. A good example is Scottish Wildcat – there are many feral and released cats in the area, so we often discount animals we see. We want you to have confidence, and with Heatherlea, you get the real, wild experience.
5. Teamwork
   Heatherlea guides are a close-knit team, working together to give you the best possible holiday. Our guides are good friends, they pool information and work hard together to make sure everyone sees the birds. Our groups have a happy, friendly atmosphere.
6. Good contacts
   Heatherlea guides work alongside neighbouring estates to develop brilliant birding close to hand. Fancy leaving at 4.30am to see Blackcock? Brrrr! Heatherlea promise we never leave our Hotel before 6am to see Black Grouse and Capercaillie, and our success rate is very high.
7. Qualified Advanced Drivers
   Kevin, Ian, Mike, Jonny and John are all Advanced Drivers – it’s a Heatherlea rule! Capable, well-trained drivers give better driving performance and greater safety for you. It also means large PCV minibuses, invaluable as a mobile hide.
8. A good night’s sleep
   One of the secrets of an alert guide! At Heatherlea we don’t ask our guides to do anything else. When the guiding day is done, they are free to enjoy themselves. This means they are bright eyed, bushy tailed and refreshed to give you their best next morning.
9. Attitude
   We know we are lucky to work with wildlife and with you, our valued customers. Without you, we wouldn’t be here!
10. Responsibility
    Our guides minimise disturbance. We work in close co-operation with landowners, including private estates granting privileged access. Heatherlea helped to write RSPB guidelines for watching Capercaillie and Black Grouse.

Above all, the best holidays are those where you receive exceptional personal attention, and all our guides love working with others. We have great fun during our days in the field, and this enthusiasm is addictive!