Mull, Coll and the Inner Hebrides

Eagles, Corncrake, Otters and more as we visit Mull and six other Inner Hebridean islands.

Sat 10 May – Thurs 15 May 2008

Price £1045 pp.  Single supplement £100. Maximum ten guests plus leader from our resident team.

Last two places available, couple or singles welcome.

A short holiday to fully explore the birding delights of Mull, with with more eagles (both Golden and White-tailed) than anywhere else in Britain. We also make exciting seatrips to beautiful islands of the Inner Hebrides to see wildlife from Corncrake to Minke Whale. This spectacular adventure will target Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Otter, Corncrake, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Minke Whale, Manx Shearwater and much more as we thoroughly explore Mull, and also take exciting seatrips to the islands of Coll, Lunga (largest of the Treshnish Group), Iona, Staffa, Eigg and Muck. You will also see the fabulous limestone formations of Fingal’s Cave on Staffa and visit the ancient Abbey on Iona. All this amongst magnificent scenery of towering mountainous cliffs, rocky coastlines and beautiful pristine island beaches. Comfortable en-suite hotel accommodation in a single-centre base.

Day 1 Saturday 10 May

We transfer from Heatherlea in Nethybridge to the magical Isle of Mull, watching out for Hooded Crow, Black Grouse, Black Guillemot and both Common and Grey Seal as we travel. If you prefer, you can join at the Mull ferry point on the mainland or make your own way from Oban. Once on the island we immediately begin looking for both eagles and otter before checking into our comfortable hotel in time for dinner. Mull holds Golden Eagle in their highest density in Europe, and White-tailed Eagle are becoming firmly established, so it is no wonder Mull has a reputation as the eagle capital of Scotland!

Day 2 Sunday 11 May

Today we take a specially chartered voyage around the Ardnamurchan Peninsula towards the isles of Eigg and Muck, where we watch for birdlife and cetaceans. We hope to see Manx Shearwater and various auk species on the water, and Gannet, Shag, Kittiwake and the occasional Great or Arctic Skua will also be expected. Our experienced skipper will detour towards any ‘fishing flurries’ we might spot on the horizon, where Bottle-nosed Dolphin and perhaps Minke Whale might be feeding. We expect to land on Eigg, where Golden Eagle circle the highest points of the island, and Red Grouse and Red-throated Diver are often seen.

Day 3 Monday 12 May

Our visit to the Treshnish Islands is always a favourite, with Puffin arriving to breed, and noisy Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag and Kittiwake jostling for space in good numbers on spectacular Harp Rock, with Black Guillemot, Manx Shearwater and Arctic Tern and ‘real’ Greylag Goose offshore. On the flatter upper slopes Twite are present. On Lunga the ‘Puffin experience’ is perhaps the best in the British Isles, as we pass right by the burrows (a careful birder can enjoy views from a few feet). Everyone will enjoy the unusual chance to observe nesting seabirds at eye level. Our cruise also heads for Staffa, where stunning Fingal’s Cave can be visited by careful birders if conditions allow. On this flat-topped island a pair of Great Skua are usually on territory. We may also hear Corncrake at various stages of the journey, and can discuss the merits of Rock Dove plumage in this remote western outpost!

Day 4 Tuesday 13 May

We drive to the very southern tip of Mull and cross to Iona, dominated by its famous Abbey. We visit the Abbey partly to see the treasures within, but principally to connect with the 20 or so calling male Corncrake which have colonised here. Usually the birds are only heard, though we were lucky enough to see Corncrake on Iona in 2006. This is a leisurely day, with time to search the shoreline for Otter and watch the hills for Golden Eagle. Depending on the status of the birds, we may visit the White-tailed Eagle site monitored by RSPB, although we should be able to see these birds at close quarters in any case. Greenshank, Dipper, Common Sandpiper, Raven, Peregrine and perhaps Short-eared Owl and Hen Harrier are possible on this day.

Day 5 Wednesday 14 May

Corncrake on Coll! We sail on a specially chartered vessel past the north of Mull and across to the Isle of Coll. Here we have several hours ashore, which should be plenty of time for us to find Corncrake, easier to see at this time of year before vegetation begins to grow. En-route we will again be watching for ‘flurries’, perhaps betraying the presence of Minke Whale or Bottle-nosed Dolphin.


Day 6 Thursday 15 May

A final round up of anything we have missed on Mull, then a leisurely drive across Morvern and via Loch Laggan back to Heatherlea in Nethybridge.

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).

Field Notes Expect a wide variation of weather. Cold winds and rain are possible.  Bring warm clothing, waterproofs, and walking boots or shoes. Walking will generally be easy. Bring binoculars and a telescope if possible. A camera may be useful too!  You don't need flasks for hot drinks or wellies. Biting insects not expected.

What's included: 

* Five nights comfortable 3-star accommodation on Mull. Rooms are en-suite, and guests are never expected to share.
* Full Scottish breakfast, packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.
* Six days wildlife watching with guidance from a Heatherlea Group Leader.
* All transport by comfortable minibus. All access and ferry fees including expeditions to named islands.
* Checklist to record sightings and notes.