Short Breaks - Scottish Birding in Autumn

These short breaks target the birds which make Scotland such a special destination for so many birdwatchers. Enjoy some of the very best wildlife-watching in Britain as we look for Golden Eagle, Crested Tit, Scottish Crossbill, Black Grouse and much more during this exciting wildlife-watching short break. Add rare geese, seaduck, divers, waders, gulls and farmland birds at either the Moray, Black Isle or Aberdeenshire coast, and you have an absorbing and rewarding few days of birding during November.

'Scottish Birding in Autumn' is ideal for busy birders who want to round-up special birds in a wonderful landscape, or for the first-time visitor looking to see Scottish species for the first time. The holiday is based here at our Hotel in Nethy Bridge, at the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. As usual with Heatherlea, everything is included in the price you pay before you join, so there are no extras. Relax in our comfortable three-star hotel, enjoy meals prepared by our talented chefs, and travel in minibuses which are great mobile hides.

Above all, your holiday includes the services of one of our resident guides, a very valuable asset! Much more than a friend to help you identify birds, or a driver to take you to special places, your Heatherlea Guide plans your entire holiday, from briefing on the first evening to round-up on the last. They know where the birds and mammals have been showing, and the best route to maximise your chances organising everything to suit wildlife, weather and progress through the holiday. We think you will see far more wildlife with a Heatherlea Tour Guide than otherwise, and of course you can relax and enjoy your holiday as we do the planning.

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

Day 2: Speciality 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. Next 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 present too, though are increasingly scarce and we no longer actively look for them. Any sightings should be seen as incidental.

Day 3: Eagle Day
A firm favourite here at Heatherlea, as we visit Highland glens looking for Golden Eagle, our top target on this day. In suitable weather we spend most of our time in the moorlands where we can expect several sightings. Other species might include Peregrine, Red Grouse, Buzzard and Raven and White-tailed Eagle are increasingly common in these areas in autumn so may also be seen. Red Deer, Roe Deer, Sika, feral Goat and both Mountain and Brown Hare may also be seen today. Many of our guests tell us that this is the day they were hoping for when they chose to holiday in Scotland.

Day 4: Coastal Day
Our third day offers a complete contrast as we visit either the Moray, Black Isle or Aberdeenshire coast. Your guide will choose the best possible destination based on up-to-date bird news offering us the highest birdlist possible on a day-trip from the Mountview Hotel. This day is perhaps the most exciting, as every single minute can hold the unexpected. In autumn there are growing rafts of Common and Velvet Scoter, and large numbers of Long-tailed Duck, Eider and Red-breasted Merganser can often be close to the shore. Red and Black-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe may be seen offshore, and in recent years we have seen rarities including King Eider, Surf Scoter and American Wigeon on this trip. Iceland and Glaucous Gull are both regular, and many wader species can be expected. Thousands of Greylag and Pink-footed Geese may hold rarities with Snow Goose seen in several recent years and if it is a year for Waxwing irruption then will consider searching for them at known sites. A great day's birding!

Day 5: Departure
Breakfast and depart. Don’t forget our courtesy service to transport links in Aviemore.

These short breaks are merely a ‘dip’ into the birdlife of the Highlands. You can reasonably expect 80+ species including many of the key specialities, and a host of northern birds which might be difficult to see elsewhere in Britain.

To see more, join our full week holiday Highland Autumn Birding in late October or early November.

This holiday can be combined with:

MAINLAND SCOTLAND
Scottish Wildlife in Late Autumn, Birders Blast

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 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 light, with slow walking on forest trails. We don't visit mountain areas during this holiday.
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Blazing sunshine and rain are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. It will probably be cold, and snow is more than likely. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing. Hat and gloves are essential for exposed coastal locations and the glens.
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.