Birders' Blasts in Autumn!

With an expert local guide and all travel and transfers, accommodation and food for the duration of your stay included in the price, this holiday offers an unbeatable way for busy birders to see the Scottish specials. Capacity is strictly limited to seven clients per guide, so please don't delay, come and join us! 

This is one of our 'for birders' tours, to see all our '... for birders' holidays, click here 

Client feedback: 'Thank you so much for a most enjoyable Short Break. Sincere thanks to Mark for his guiding, Emma and Fleur for answering all our questions, housekeeping for looking after us and for all the lovely food. You have an exceptional team! Ms AB

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival, welcome, dinner and briefing. Don’t forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore.

Day 2:  Local Day
Our first day is firmly focused on the birds which make this wonderful part of the country so special. An early start for Black Grouse will get us off to a great start before breakfast, and you might see Red Grouse too. After breakfast we visit ‘hotspots’ in Caledonian pine forest to see Crested Tit, which can usually be found locally. Scottish Crossbill are found in the forests too and with both Common and Parrot Crossbill also present, separation of these three species can pose a real identification challenge! Capercaillie are also present though are increasingly scarce, and we no longer actively look for them. Any sightings should be seen as incidental. Depending on the weather conditions and level of the snow in the mountains, we may also look for Snow Bunting and Ptarmigan too.

Day 3:  Coastal Day
A complete contrast as we visit the Moray Coast, where birding is excellent at any time. This day is perhaps the most exciting, as every single minute can hold the unexpected. There are rafts of Common and Velvet Scoter, plus good numbers of Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser. Red-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe may also be offshore, and in recent years we have seen rarities including King Eider, Surf Scoter and White-billed Diver. Iceland and Glaucous Gull are both regular, and many wader species can be expected. In the fields, Whooper Swan herds and geese flocks are worth checking for scarcer species and other farmland birds may include Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Stock Dove, Grey Partridge and Yellowhammer. A great day's birding!

Day 4:  Eagle Day
Today is a firm favourite at Heatherlea, as we visit remote Highland glens looking for Golden Eagle, our top target. In suitable weather we spend most of our time in beautiful upland surroundings where we can expect sightings of other species, possibly including Peregrine, Red Grouse, Buzzard and Raven. White-tailed Eagle may also be seen as their numbers continue to increase locally. Red, Roe and Sika Deer, Feral Goat and Mountain Hare may also be seen. Many guests tell us this is the day they were hoping for when they chose to holiday in Scotland; top birding amid superb scenery!

Day 5: Departure
Breakfast and departure. Don’t forget our courtesy return service to Aviemore.

This holiday can be combined with:

MAINLAND SCOTLAND
Short Breaks in Autumn, Solway Firth

What's included in your holiday price

• Four nights comfortable accommodation at The Mountview Hotel, VisitScotland rated 3 Star. All rooms are en-suite, with 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.
• Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.
• Three full days wildlife watching.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.
• All transport by comfortable minibus, access to reserves and private estates.
• A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes.
• Courtesy bus service to and from transport in Aviemore.

What's not included in your holiday price

• Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.

More holiday information

Accommodation at the Mountview Hotel can be seen here. All accommodation is en-suite unless otherwise advised before your booking is confirmed.
Food There is a choice of evening meal, and vegetarian, vegan and other diets are welcome. Breakfast may be chosen from a full Scottish menu. You don't need flasks for hot drinks.
Walking will be moderate on the Local Day(s). We may visit mountainous areas for Ptarmigan, depending on weather and sightings. We often scope Ptarmigan, with an optional walk for a closer look.
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Cold weather, snow and rain are common during these months, as is blazing sunshine for the entire stay! You will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing.
Biting insects are not expected.
Group size maximum 7 clients per guide.
Optics. Telescopes will be useful, and you should bring binoculars. We have a limited number of top quality Swarovski binoculars, which you may borrow at no charge (subject to availability). A camera would be useful too!

Getting here is easy!

BY CAR Travel north to Perth. Take A9 signposted Inverness to the exit north of Aviemore for the A95. Follow signs northeast through Boat of Garten to Nethy Bridge (ten miles). In Nethy Bridge, drive through the village, over the River Nethy, and you will see our sign 200 metres ahead on the right.

BY RAIL Don't forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore on Saturdays at 16:30 and 19:30, but please let us know at least 48 hours in advance! The best train to Aviemore is the ‘Highland Chieftain’ on the East Coast Line. This leaves London Kings Cross at 11:00, arriving Aviemore at 19:22. We recommend you connect with this service if possible. Our pickup also works well with the 16:26 arrival from Edinburgh. In general, rail travel via Edinburgh is easier than via Glasgow, where a trip across the city between stations is needed, often followed by a change at Perth. Return trains leave Aviemore at 08:32 (fast train to London – recommended), 09:26. 10:31 and 11:30. However we can only make 2 journeys to Aviemore on Saturday morning, so you may be taken to Aviemore a little earlier.  Rail enquiries: 0845 7484950, www.nationalrail.co.uk

BY AIR Flights to Inverness are becoming available all the time, for latest info call our office. Currently direct flights to Inverness are available from: Belfast, Dublin, Birmingham, Manchester (all Loganair), London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol (all easyJet) and London Heathrow (British Airways). Guests arriving in Inverness airport can then take a taxi to Nethy Bridge, or take the Airport Flyer bus to Inverness, from there they can take the train to Aviemore where we can collect you. Our courtesy collection service is on Saturdays at 16:30 and 19:30, but please let us know at least 48 hours in advance if you wish to be collected! We will be able to meet the 15:44 and 18:53 trains departing from Inverness that arrive at 16:25 and 19:26 respectively.