holidays with walking options

BIRD WATCHING WITH EASY WALKING

Would you like to see the special birds of Scotland, but without too much exertion? We know many people want to see Capercaillie, Golden Eagle, Scottish Crossbill, Black Grouse, Crested Tit and all the other Scottish specials, but may not be as able to get around as other birders. Our ‘Easy Walking’ holidays involve no more than one mile each day, and sometimes hardly any walking at all. You can choose dates throughout the year, so you can still enjoy birding in Scotland whenever you want, and you will visit special places by comfortable minibus and stop close to the best birding sites. Don't worry about the quality of your birding; Scotland offers many thrills, and we will find special birds close to transport whenever you decide to join us. You can even look forward to seeing Ptarmigan!

Over recent seasons these holidays have become very popular, and many guests join two or even three per year. We are often told how difficult it can be to find holidays designed for those who want easier walking – with Heatherlea you don’t need to worry. You will find a wide choice of suitable holidays at all times of the year. You don't need to miss out on Scotland's special birds!

All other aspects of your Heatherlea birdwatching holiday are as published elsewhere on this website. Comfortable en-suite accommodation, great food, glorious mountain views, skilled and attentive guides...and don't forget our courtesy collect and return service to rail and coach. Wonderful birdwatching from start to finish!

2008 dates...

• HIGHLAND WINTER BIRDING
  8 March - 15 March
• 'THE TOP TWENTY' the best of Highland wildlife in winter
  10 Feb - 23 Feb
• SPRING INTO SCOTLAND including Mull
  22 March - 29 March
• HIGH SEASON ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS
  7 June - 14 June
• EAGLES, DIVERS and DOTTEREL
  5 July– 12 July
• ‘THE TOP THIRTY’ the best of Highland wildlife in summer
  2 August – 9 August
• HIGHLANDS and MULL
  9 August - 16 August
• SCOTTISH SPECIALITIES and AUTUMN MIGRATION
  30 August – 6 Sept
• SCOTTISH SPECIALS and the ‘OUTER LIMITS’ ADVENTURE
  4 October – 11 October
• ‘THE TOP TWENTY’ the best of Highland wildlife in autumn
  25 October – 1 November

Prices and other details are as published elsewhere on this website. Your 'Birdwatching with Easy Walking' holiday may run alongside a similar group involving more walking.

Ptarmigan without Ptears!

Ptarmigan is perhaps the most inaccessible of all the Scottish specialities if you can‘t walk far, since the birds are only found at altitude. If you want to enjoy birding with easy walking, you may feel you will never see Ptarmigan. We can’t make promises of course, but the holidays on this page all include a good attempt at seeing Ptarmigan without walking more than a few hundred yards. You have every chance, and many of our guests have been delighted by the results! NB Whilst we frequently see Ptarmigan on these holidays, Dotterel are unlikely.

Easy Walking Scottish Specials and Autumn Migration, a few guest comments

"The Applecross day with the ptarmigan and golden eagle was really nice, and I think you should have more dates for easy walkers throughout your itinerary." M R

"I don't think I have ever been on a holiday, where I have felt so welcomed and made at home. All the staff have been excellent and able to take a joke as well! I was absolutely amazed by the Stornoway trip and back, and the birds were not what I expected to see, what with Great Snipe, Curlew
Sandpiper, Grey Phalarope and Common Snipe! The trip to Applecross for Ptarmigan and Golden Eagle was also very special." JF

"My highlights were the Great Snipe seen on the crossing over the Minch, the Surf Scoter at Roseisle and our trip to Applecross." YS

"The wondeful light and scenery on the Applecross trip was very special. The Surf Scoter was a lifer. The Basking Shark with its nose sticking out of the water, - and the colours of the Common Crossbill were the best views I have ever had." MH

"This is the first time I have been on a holiday like this, and I have been made to feel very much at home. I was very pleased to be the one to find the Ptarmigan, and my other highlight was looking down on the Common Snipe, as
it tried to keep up with the ferry on our trip over the Minch. I was also impressed by the contrasts in the weather from wild and wet, to calm and sunny." SP

"I really enjoyed the whole week, and I have never seen so many geese before." LP

"Thank-you again, Ian and Jonny for leading us so well. The Basking Shark was an unexpected bonus. We will be back!" BG

"I was really amazed watching the Scottish Crossbills grabbing hold and flipping over the pine cones they were eating from." SG (Partially sighted)

"We have been looked after so well by you, and it is so nice to be driven by somebody else. The Applecross day was very special and finding the Ptarmigan. The Basking Shark was another of my highlights." JF

"In my opinion it is how you two have worked together to put us in the right places that we have seen all that we have." DF

"My favorite place this week has been the Findhorn Valley. I don't know quite what it is, but it is always so peaceful there. I also enjoyed the Ptarmigan on the Applecross day." MF

Guides Comments
"The Autumn Migrant weeks are always special for us because you never know what might turn up during this time of year. But none of you have mentioned the cock caper we saw on the estate! Each week we hope to get good views of
caper and occasionally a cock bird does show well in the vicinity that we saw him. Also this week we have observed migrants that have flown hundreds of miles, making us look pretty puny in comparison, as we watched them in the relative safety of the ferry, battle with the elements to get to
destinations thousands of miles away. The Curlew Sands we saw were probably blown off course on their way to Africa. As for our cock caper, sitting there in his tree eating pine needles, resplendant in his fine plumage; he has probably barely moved a mile away from where he was born!" Ian Ford

"Although the last two days' weather has been absolutely brilliant and we have seen some really superb birds like Ptarmigan, Golden Eagle, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck and Red Kite, the longer you are in this job the more you realise some of your best days birding can be on the wet
and driech days! Take our trip over the Minch to Stornoway; it all began quite undramatically with some Redwings and Meadow Pipits trying to keep up with the ferry, almost at times considering landing on the railings. It was wet and foggy, when out from the cloud came a flock of waders with short
curved bills and white rumps. A flock of thirty Curlew Sandpiper! Not long after was the biggest surprise of the day; a Great Snipe flying over the top of the ferry to the starboard side, then way ahead of the ferry back to the port side and away! We had come to see petrels and shearwaters, but only one Storm Petrel and a Sooty Shearwater were seen by guests. One Great and Arctic Skua were seen. On the gull front we saw a Ring-billed Gull that morning on our way to catch the ferry. Now as we docked at Stornoway a
second summer Glaucous Gull was sitting on the quayside.
The return journey was no less eventful. The Redwings were still with us, not sure which way across the Minch they wanted to travel. Then out of the gloom came a tiny wader. It turned out to be a Common Snipe, trying for all his worth to keep up with the ferry. He eventually caught up, and we had the most extraordinary close up views, looking down from above. Next to come hurtling onto the scene were two Merlin! Yes, the thought did cross my mind,"What might have become of the Snipe?" But I suspect that all these migrants wanted the confusion of being all at sea to come to an end. One more excellent sighting for the trip were two Grey Phalarope on the sea, only yards out from the side of the boat. As for cetations, there were several porpoise sightings and one pod of Risso's Dolphin. Throughout this season, every journey across the Minch has been special for both the guests, my fellow guides and for myself. Jonny Pott.

.......................................................................................

WILDLIFE & WALKING

Winter into Spring Sat 1 March - Sat 8 March 2008
Summer Walking Sat 12 July - Sat 19 July 2008
Late Summer Sat 8 Sept - Sat 15 Sept 2008

See the special birdlife of the new Cairngorms National Park whilst walking the wilderness with Heatherlea.

These are wildlife days with added walking! Each day will involve a walk of between five and eight miles, and this element of the holiday is guaranteed whatever the weather. We cover all the key habitats, and you will walk across mountain and moor, beside loch and river and along forest rides and coastal paths. We enjoy peaceful days with only each other and the wildlife for company, as we uncover hidden history and magical folklore. You’ll be walking on thieves’ roads, stalkers’ paths and traditional clan raiding routes, as our guides avoid the main tourist areas. Nowhere else has such a variety of terrain, or so many contrasting, unspoilt landscapes. That’s why we talk of the Scottish Highlands as Britain’s last remaining wilderness – the Cairngorms have the look and feel of another country in another time. One day at least will be spent in the Cairngorm mountains, and this day involves quite strenuous walking, including an ascent towards the plateau. Hidden lochans, sheer cliff faces, montane grassland carpeting the high tops, this day will take you to the most amazing landscape in Britain. You will seldom walk anywhere with quite the same quality of stillness and silence. A refreshing and very rewarding experience!

We will arrange our days to maximise chances of seeing the birds and mammals of Scotland, along with good walking. Wildlife should include Golden Eagle, Ptarmigan, Crested Tit, Scottish Crossbill, Red and Roe Deer, Capercaillie, Snow Bunting, Mountain Hare, and Red Squirrel. These holidays may run alongside Heatherlea birdwatching groups, and if so you may join in all the optional early morning and evening activities as advertised on this website, including Badger watching (at a surcharge of £5) and Black Grouse at the lek.

With Heatherlea you can enjoy the very best of Highland walking whatever the season. Ancient forests with the smell of spring, summer on the mountain tops and rolling heather moorland in autumn – it all awaits you here at Heatherlea! All holidays are based here in the heart of the new Cairngorms National Park, and are ideal for the walker who enjoys open countryside featuring mountain, forest and river with a good helping of wildlife and local cultural history thrown in. Our pace is predominantly relaxed, walks are generally classed as moderate and we enjoy all the home comforts of the Mountview Hotel. For a fully detailed itinerary please contact us directly, we will change our routes to get the best from each season. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and elements beyond our control (eg weather).