highlands & MULL     

9 August – 16 August*, 16 August – 23 August, 23 August - 30 August 2008
(* easy walking option available)

PRICE £855pp, no single supplement.
Been before? Returning guests can deduct £25pp. ‘Worldbird’ guests can save another £100pp – see 'Special Offers' for details.
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8 August - 15 August, 15 August - 22 August, 22 August - 29 August 2009

EARLY BIRDER PRICE £875pp, no single supplement.
The Early Birder catches the lowest price at Heatherlea. Our prices may increase as time goes by, but if you book and pay your deposit now, you get this Early Birder price.
Been before? Returning guests can deduct £25pp. ‘Worldbird’ guests can save another £100pp – see 'Special Offers' for details.

A real adventure where the accent is on rounding-up summer specialities and tracking down any available rarities. Capercaillie, Ptarmigan, Black Grouse returning to lekking areas, Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill are the main targets inland, but this holiday also includes an exciting west coast expedition to the magical isle of Mull, where the birding is fabulous and the scenery unforgettable. Golden Eagle and Sea Eagle will have young on the wing, a mouth-watering eagle spectacular!  We will also adjust our plans to catch up with any migrating rarity that may be passing. Another brand new and unique holiday from Heatherlea, with lots of birds and hopefully a few real rarities!

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

• Golden Eagle and Sea Eagle on Mull!
• All the specials including Capercaillie and Dotterel.
• Otters on the Mull shoreline
• Rarities on the Hebrides, the Moray Coast or Aberdeenshire

DAY 1 (Saturday)

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

DAY 2 (Sunday)

Purple heather moors, the deep greens of the ancient pinewoods, this is a lovely time to visit Scotland. Mixed parties in the Caledonian pines contain good numbers of Crested Tit, and Scottish Crossbill form their own noisy flocks, often in dozens. Golden Eagle, Peregrine, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel are the main upland raptors we seek today, though White-tailed Eagle are often seen at this time.

DAY 3/4 (Monday/Tuesday)

MAGICAL MULL!
Land of eagles and otters, Mull is a ‘must see’ place. We journey west, watching out for Black Grouse, Black Guillemot, Common Seal and Hooded Crow as we travel. We have good chances of Great and Arctic Skua, Minke Whale, Bottle-nosed Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise. Depending upon tides, this may be our best time for Otter, and we may be able to view Pine Marten in the evening before we settle down to dinner just north of Mull. By staying here we can get an early morning ferry across to ...... MAGICAL MULL! We immediately target White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle, now with young on the wing, and at their highest density on the year. Off the rugged shoreline we aim to find Otter and Great Northern Diver in breeding plumage. Worth a trip to Scotland in itself, we do this in one action-packed day, returning in time for dinner at The Mountview. This day is a firm favourite at Heatherlea!

DAY 5 (Wednesday)

Our private estate woodlands, good for hen Capercaillie with cock birds now more visible after moulting. Later we drive to the Moray Firth, to look for rarities and scour the coast for waders, gulls, divers and ducks. Common Scoter, Black- and Red-throated Divers, Purple Sandpiper, Little Stint and unexpected migrants are all possible on this day. Redpoll, Siskin, Redwing, Fieldfare and Red Grouse are also possible.

DAY 6 (Thursday)

We allocate a full day on the mountains to look for Ptarmigan and Dotterel. At this time Dotterel are highly mobile, preparing to return to wintering grounds in Africa, and may already have left the plateau. Ptarmigan give good sightings once located as they rely upon camouflage more than flight whilst moulting into white winter plumage. Lingering Snow Bunting may also be seen.

DAY 7 (Friday)

Another great coastal experience, we go north to the Moray Coast or east to Aberdeenshire, depending upon the local birding. We may look for concentrations of waders, including Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone, Knot and more, some individuals in summer plumage, or we will make a special trip for one of the rarities which make early Scottish autumn so special.

DAY 8 (Saturday)

Breakfast and departure. Don’t forget our courtesy return service to Aviemore.

Field Notes

Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Sunshine, showers and cold winds are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing. Walking will be easy/moderate, although mountain walking for Ptarmigan and Dotterel can be strenuous. See 'Easy Walking' holidays with less walking. Telescopes will be useful, and you should bring binoculars. A camera would be useful too! You don't need flasks for hot drinks or wellies. Biting insects are not expected.

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 colour TV and hot drinks facilities.
• One night comfortable en-suite hotel accommodation on the West Coast north of Mull. Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner. All rooms are ensuite, with colour TV and hot drinks facilities.
• Six full days birdwatching. Ferries to Mull.
• All transport by comfortable PCV minibus. All estate access fees.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader with extensive up to the minute local knowledge.

What's not included in your holiday price

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

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