Heatherlea Birdwatching Holidays

Heatherlea - 20 years of outstanding Wildlife holidays

A 5 star rated Wildlife experience - Scottish Tourist Board

Birdwatching & Wildlife Holidays in Scotland and Worldwide

Our mammal and birding holidays are amongst our most popular, as we visit key sites across the mainland to find key wildlife in winter. Beneath the crystal clear winter skies, wildlife is highly active during the shorter days, and with less human disturbance at this time of year, Otter, Pine Marten, both eagles, Crested Tit, Capercaillie and Black Grouse are easier to find, and Ptarmigan and Red Deer are at lower altitudes to avoid the icy hilltops. This is the time to see the real Scotland - unspoilt, undeveloped and unbelievable wildlife. A genuine winter wonderland!

KEY MOMENTS at our Friday round-up - which will be yours?

• Pine Marten coming to bait at our private site
• Pure white Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare on the snowy mountainsides
• Black Grouse lekking during the crisp, still morning light
• Otters and eagles in stunning remote terrain on the West Coast

The Top Twenty

ALSO POSSIBLE Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Diver, Peregrine, American vagrants…over 100 birds, and Badger, Wildcat, Sika Deer, Bottle-nosed Dolphin…up to 15 mammals!

Outline Itinerary

DAY 1:  Saturday
Arrival, welcome, dinner and briefing. Don’t forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore.

DAY 2:  Sunday
Our award-winning hotel is right in the middle of the best birding habitats, and we start in the nearby Abernethy Forest to look for Red Squirrel and Roe Deer. Crested Tit and Scottish (Parrot) Crossbill are found here, and during this time of year we often see Capercaillie too. A trip to the Black Isle should produce Red Kite, wintering divers and ducks including overwintering Pintail, Scaup, Tree Sparrow and Greylag, Barnacle and Pink-footed Goose. Perhaps today will include rarities such as Red-breasted Goose, Snow Goose, Green-winged Teal or American Wigeon. There is often something about locally!

DAYS 3/4:  Monday/Tuesday   WEST COAST WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
We leave early after breakfast, watching out for Black Grouse, Hooded Crow, Slavonian Grebe, Common Seal, Black Guillemot and possible Iceland and Glaucous Gull as we travel. Once across the Corran Ferry, west of Fort William, we spend the day targeting both Golden Eagle and White-tailed Eagle over the barren, rocky hillsides and in the long, winding glens of the desolate west coast. In quiet, isolated sea lochs and bays, we keep an eye out for Otter either fishing or playing on the rocky foreshore. In the evening we look for Pine Marten in secluded locations, before dinner and an overnight stay. Next day, we drive across the wild and lonely hills in search of more Golden and White-tailed Eagles. Otter, Common and Grey Seals can be seen in the undisturbed lochs and waterways, and Red Deer strut majestically in the valleys. Return to Nethybridge on Tuesday evening in time for dinner.

DAYS 5 - 7:  Wednesday - Friday
Capercaillie! We may visit exclusive private estate woodlands or other favoured spots depending on where birds are showing. Staying inside our large minibus, we have an excellent chance of seeing this large grouse at their most active. Later we search for moorland specialities including Peregrine, Red Grouse, Raven, Mountain Hare, and scan the flocks of passerines for Twite and Brambling amongst the commoner buntings and finches. Most years there is the possibility of Waxwing or Great Grey Shrike in the area too.

We head to the hills for Ptarmigan, and rarely fail to find the birds in winter, when both the birds and mountains can be pure white. Ptarmigan tend to forage at lower elevations during this period, allowing us good opportunities to see them without venturing too far. The hills support few other species, but look out for Snow Bunting, Reindeer and the white Mountain Hare. After visiting the mountains we may head back to the birds of forest or moorland.

Birding along the Moray coast is very rewarding in winter, and a wide range of species, should include geese, Whooper Swan, Common Eider, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Common and Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern, Black and Red-throated Divers, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Stonechat, and lots of winter waders including Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Watch out also for farmland specialities including Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Grey Partridge, all still found on this fertile northern coastline. We will also search for any rarities within reach, often including Surf Scoter and King Eider.

DAY 8:  Saturday
Breakfast and departure. Don’t forget our courtesy return service to Aviemore.

Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and elements beyond our control (eg weather).

More Holiday Information

Accommodation at Mountview Hotel can be seen here. www.mountviewhotel.co.uk . All accommodation is en-suite unless otherwise advised before your booking is confirmed.
Food There is a choice of evening meal, and vegetarian, vegan and other diets are welcome. Breakfast may be chosen from a full Scottish menu. You don't need flasks for hot drinks or wellies.
Walking will be moderate, although mountain walking for Ptarmigan is strenuous.
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Blazing sunshine and rain are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing.
Biting insects are unlikely to be encountered.
Group size maximum 7 clients per guide.
Optics. Telescopes will be useful, and you should bring binoculars. We have a limited number of top quality Swarovski binoculars, which you may borrow at no charge (subject to availability). A camera would be useful too!
Getting here is easy!
BY CAR Travel north to Perth. Take A9 signposted Inverness to exit north of Aviemore. Follow signs northeast through Boat of Garten to Nethy Bridge (ten miles). In Nethy Bridge, drive through the village, over the River Nethy, and you will see our sign 200 metres ahead on the right.
BY RAIL The best train to Aviemore is the ‘Highland Chieftain’ on the East Coast Line. This leaves London Kings Cross at 12.00, arriving Aviemore at 19.28. This train stops at York (13.54), Darlington (14:22), Newcastle (14.53) and Edinburgh (16.32). Change of train may be required at Edinburgh. We recommend you connect with this service if possible. Travellers can reach Edinburgh direct from Plymouth, Bristol, Birmingham, Crewe or Preston. In general, rail travel via Edinburgh is easier than via Glasgow, where a trip across the city between stations is needed, often followed by a change at Perth. Return trains leave Aviemore at 07.25, 08.29 (fast train to London –recommended), 10.00 and 11.33. Please check details before you travel. Rail enquiries: 0845 7484950, www.nationalrail.co.uk . Don't forget our courtesy collection service on Saturdays!
BY AIR Flights to Inverness are becoming available all the time, for latest info call our office. Currently flights to Inverness are available from: Southampton, Birmingham, Manchester, London Gatwick, Isle of Man, Jersey (via Manchester or Gatwick), Newquay (via Manchester) Bergen (summer only), Amsterdam (Flybe), Luton, London Gatwick, Bristol (Easyjet), Dusseldorf (Lufthansa) Zurich (Helvetic – summer only).

What's included in your holiday price

* Six nights comfortable accommodation at The Mountview Hotel, VisitScotland rated 3 Star. All rooms are en-suite, with TV and hospitality tray. There is no single supplement, and guests are never expected to share. Single guests may be upgraded to double room accommodation at no extra charge.
* One night en-suite accommodation in Sunart featuring comfortable, quiet accommodation and good home-prepared food. Our groups have great fun here!
* Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.
* Six full days wildlife watching.
* Guidance from a professional Group Leader.
* All transport by comfortable PCV minibus.
* All estate access and ferry fees.
* A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes.
* Courtesy bus service to transport in Aviemore.

What's not included in your holiday price

* Transport to The Mountview Hotel.
* Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.

WHY CHOOSE HEATHERLEA?

Heatherlea is THE place for top quality birding holidays in Scotland, chosen by more and more birders each year. Stay in our own three star Small Hotel, and enjoy first-rate birding with Scotland’s best guiding team. Relax and enjoy yourself, as we do all the planning! Above all, we make it our business to show key wildlife to you. Our fully inclusive guided holidays concentrate on the real experience, and we take time to ensure that each of our guests enjoys everything we do.  Our groups have great fun here.

* We have been organising birding and wildlife holidays for over 22 years, and have a highly experienced and capable office team. We also offer a telephone and email service outside normal office hours.
* From Jan 2014, Heatherlea holidays based at Mountview Hotel will have a maximum ratio of 7 clients per guide, putting the emphasis on personal service, and helping you get the best possible experience.
* Heatherlea are the only operator in Scotland awarded 5 stars for Wildlife Experience. This is the highest available grading, classified as ‘exceptional’ by visitScotland.
* There is no single supplement. Single guests are never expected or invited to share.
* Our holidays often include things which others might invite you to pay yourself, for instance loan of Swarovski binoculars, packed lunch and tips to hotels.
* We offer a courtesy transfer between our Hotel and Aviemore rail/bus links on Saturdays.
* Heatherlea hold full Tour Operator Insurance for your added protection.
* Heatherlea is a limited company, registered in Scotland. We are also registered to pay VAT, which is included in your holiday price as quoted on this page.
* Once your holiday is confirmed in writing by us, we promise not to surcharge the price for any reason.

Enjoy an excellent wildlife holiday with mainland Scotland's only 5 star Wildlife Experience.

'Exceptional' Visit Scotland