Ian Ford
Ian has been guiding with Heatherlea since 1999, and describes his guiding career with the words 'it has been wonderful working at my hobby and playing a part in the company’s move from only Highland trips to taking over the world'.
Ian's interest in wildlife dates back to his early childhood, with lots of freedom to explore local ponds and woods, finding newts and learning bird song and wild flowers. A licensed ringer from his schooldays, Ian visited the Isle of May Bird Observatory and Bass Rock, and was delighted to find a singing Woodlark in a local forest in the 1990s, leading to Scotland’s only breeding record.
His favourite places include Spain, particularly the Ebro river and delta area, Yellowstone for its scenery, geysers, hot springs and other thermal features as well as the wildlife, and of course the Cairngorms and Scottish islands, describing the Hebrides as 'a secret jewel recently shared with many'.
In recent years Ian has worked to help develop wildflower meadows and woodland by the Tay estuary, and he holds a license to grow Greater Yellow Rattle, a flower which grows wild in only one location in Scotland. His oakwood and orchard project will keep him busy for many years to come!
Ever popular with guests and fellow guides alike, Ian will be leading groups for us across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, in England, and around the world. Ian particularly enjoys visiting the Inner and Outer Hebrides throughout the summer, though of course his knowledge extends to many birding destinations around the globe.
Follow this Guide
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NEW! Svalbard with BBC Wildlife
- 26 May - 03 Jun 2019
From £4295 pp. Deposit £2000
A unique adventure in The Kingdom of the Polar Bear!
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Yellowstone
- 19 Jul - 31 Jul 2019
£5495 pp, £895 single supplement. Deposit £1500
Birds and mammals in Yellowstone
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Highlands and the Outer Hebrides
- 10 Aug - 17 Aug 2019Special Offer
£1395 pp, No single supplement. Deposit £200
A week long summer holiday to the Highlands and the Southern Outer Hebrides
- 10 Aug - 17 Aug 2019
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Outer Hebrides in Early Autumn for birders
- 31 Aug - 06 Sep 2019
£1545 pp, £60 single supplement. Deposit £200
A six day birders tour of Lewis, Harris, Berneray, Benbecula and both North and South Uist!
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Raptors and Grouse
- 07 Sep - 14 Sep 2019Special Offer
£1395 pp, No single supplement. Deposit £200
The best of the Highlands in early Autumn
- 07 Sep - 14 Sep 2019
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Coll and Tiree in Autumn for birders
- 13 Oct - 19 Oct 2019
£1645 pp, £225 single supplement. Deposit £200
A pioneering birding adventure on underwatched Hebridean islands.
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Solway Firth
- 09 Nov - 14 Nov 2019
£1295 pp, £100 single supplement. Deposit £200
A winter wildfowl spectacular on the Solway Coast of Dumfries and Galloway!
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NEW! Lancashire
- 19 Nov - 22 Nov 2019
£895 pp, £120 single supplement. Deposit £200
Spectacular birding in late autumn/early winter
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Gambia
- 10 Jan - 17 Jan 2020
£2395 pp, £250 single supplement. Deposit £300
A great introduction to African birding
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Camargue
- 29 Feb - 07 Mar 2020
£1895 pp, £130 single supplement. Deposit £300
Wonderful early spring birding in the south of France
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Spain - Catalonia and south-east Aragon
- 22 Apr - 30 Apr 2020
£1995 pp, £270 single supplement. Deposit £300
Superb spring birding from the pre-Pyrenees to the Ebro Delta
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NEW! Hebridean Island Cruise
- 15 Jul - 22 Jul 2020
£2450 pp, No single supplement. Deposit £700
An exciting exploration of Mull, Colonsay, Staffa, Iona and more by sea