highlands & the far west coast

17 March – 24 March, 24 March – 31 March * (* easy walking option available)

PRICE £745pp, no single supplement.
Been before? Returning guests can deduct £25pp. ‘Worldbird’ guests can save another £100pp – see 'Special Offers' for details.

This holiday takes you from Ptarmigan on the mountain tops to Otter playing in Loch Sunart on the far West Coast. We show you Capercaillie and Black Grouse, Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Scottish Crossbill and Crested Tit, and with a special visit to the Ardnamurchan peninsula, the most westerly point of the British mainland. Here we enjoy the first signs of Scottish spring, and look for elusive Pine Marten, Black Guillemot, Great Northern Diver and Short-eared Owl in a remote western wilderness environment.

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

• White-tailed and Golden Eagle in full view
• Black Grouse popping and cooing at the lek
• Capercaillie, Ptarmigan and all the Scottish specials
• Seawatching from Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly part of our mainland.

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 a local drive should produce Black Grouse popping and cooing at the lek, followed after breakfast with a walk in the nearby Abernethy Forest to look for Red Squirrel and Roe Deer. Crested Tit and Scottish/Parrot Crossbill are found here, and during these months we often see Capercaillie too. A trip to the Black Isle should produce Red Kite, wintering divers and ducks including newly arriving male Goldeneye, Tree Sparrow and lingering Greylag and Pink-footed Goose, perhaps including rarities such as Red-breasted or Snow Goose.

DAY 3/4 (Monday/Tuesday)

ARDNAMURCHAN – WILDLIFE AND WILD LANDS OF THE FAR WEST We leave early after breakfast, watching out for Black Grouse, Hooded Crow, Common Seal and Black Guillemot 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 Ardnamurchan peninsula towards the Point, where we look out towards the islands of Coll, Muck and Eigg for Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake, divers, some early Manx Shearwater, and possibly even dolphins and porpoises. There is a chance of more Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Otter, Red Deer and – just maybe! – Scottish Wildcat as we round-up all the wonderful wildlife of a western Scottish spring. Return to Nethybridge via Glenfinnan and the Bonnie Prince Charlie monument on Tuesday in time for dinner.

DAY 5 (Wednesday)

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 male and female birds. Later we search for moorland specialities including Peregrine, Red Grouse, Mountain Hare, and the first returning Blackthroated Diver, Merlin, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, Slavonian Grebe and Twite.

CAPERCAILLIE - a responsible and caring attitude, especially in the breeding season! Our private estate access and unbeatable local knowledge are invaluable for seeing Capercaillie, and our success rate during March and April is very good. Heatherlea helped to write the RSPB Code of Conduct for Capercaillie watching, and this is a reliable and responsible way to see the wonderful ‘Horse of the Forest’. In the evening, Badgers the easy way! We have private and exclusive access to a comfortable hide close to a very active sett. Photography is allowed, and you should be home by 11pm.

Field Notes

Expect a wide variation of weather. Blazing sunshine and heavy snow are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring warm clothing, waterproofs, and walking boots or shoes. Walking will generally be easy/moderate, although mountain walking on Ptarmigan day can be strenuous. See 'Easy Walking' for holidays with less walking. Telescopes will be useful, and you should bring binoculars. A camera may 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 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 accommodation in Sunart featuring comfortable en-suite 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 birdwatching.
• All transport by comfortable PCV minibus. All estate access and ferry fees.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader
• Checklist to record sightings and notes

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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