The 'Outer Limits' in Summer

An exciting summer itinerary to see the birdlife of mountain, moor, forest and coast, with special attention paid to the rugged beauty and desolate vistas of the islands of Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, voted as the best island destination in Europe!

On this two-centre holiday we enjoy glorious scenery, long evenings and some of the best summer birding in Britain as we combine the summer birds of the mainland with a three-day, two-night visit to the northern Outer Hebrides, one of the most spectacular island destinations in the world!

During our time at the Mountview Hotel, we comb all the special habitats, including tranquil pinewoods and the vast Cairngorm mountain plateau. Target birds include Crested Tit, Scottish Crossbill, Osprey, Dipper, Buzzard, Goldeneye, Red Grouse, Black-throated Diver, Lesser Redpoll, Peregrine, breeding waders and Slavonian Grebe. We spend a full day on the Cairngorm plateau for Ptarmigan and Dotterel, and at the inner Moray Firth seek fishing Osprey, Eider, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, Yellowhammer, Sandwich, Common, Arctic and Little Tern, Gannet, Guillemot and Razorbill, and waders may include Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit and Red Knot in breeding plumage.

On Harris and Lewis our activities will suit the weather and any known rare birds. We visit the Butt of Lewis to search for seabirds and vagrants and explore the remote west coast and the peatlands, checking a few hidden lochans that hold nesting waders. White-tailed and Golden Eagle, Merlin and Hen Harrier are realistic targets on the vast moorlands, with Golden Plover and the occasional Greenshank and divers on the peatlands. Our last morning may be spent looking for eagles, Otter and perhaps Cetaceans from viewpoints such as Tiumpan Head. Two very different ferry crossings promise varied and exciting birding, with Manx Shearwater, Great and Arctic Skua, Black Guillemot, other auk species, gulls, terns and Gannet to entertain. A great birding adventure!

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

• Glorious Hebridean island landscapes.
• Dotterel and Ptarmigan on the high plateau.
• Golden and White-tailed Eagles wheeling overhead in a clear blue sky.
• Seabirds and cetaceans in the Minch.

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

Day 2: Sunday - Local birding
A morning in the Abernethy Forest to look for Crested Tit and local birds. 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! Later we investigate lochs, rivers and moorland perhaps adding Osprey, Dipper, Buzzard, Goldeneye, Red Grouse, Black-throated Diver, Peregrine, a host of breeding waders and Slavonian Grebe. Often over fifty species may be seen on this day. The beauty of divers and grebes in breeding plumage spellbinds many of our guests, and during this holiday we make time to find them at close quarters to admire them.

Days 3 - 5: Monday - Wednesday - The Outer Limits Adventure
A three-day, two-night visit to the northern Outer Hebrides, one of the most spectacular island destinations in the world! We sail from Skye to Harris, and in summer sunshine this can be an unforgettable experience, with majestic mountain scenery and rugged coastlines. We have often added an eagle species and a cetacean to our list before leaving the inshore waters of the west coast! The mountains of the Outer Hebrides loom larger as we scan for seabirds and marine mammals; Manx Shearwater, Great and Arctic Skua and Storm Petrel are possible, as are Minke Whale, Bottle-nosed and Common Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise and Grey and Common Seal.

On Lewis our activities will suit the weather and any known rare birds. We visit the Butt of Lewis to search for seabirds and vagrants, explore the remote west coast for raptors on the peatlands and check quiet lochans that hold nesting waders. White-tailed and Golden Eagle, Merlin and Hen Harrier are realistic targets on the vast moorlands, with Golden Plover, Greenshank and divers on the peatlands. Our last morning may be spent looking for eagles or cetaceans perhaps from viewpoints such as Tiumpan Head. We then head for home on the ferry via Ullapool, another crossing with an excellent chance of cetaceans and scarcer seabirds, returning to The Mountview on Wednesday evening. A great birding adventure!

Day 6: Thursday - Cairngorm Mountain
We spend a full day on the Cairngorm plateau, with unforgettable mountain scenery all around as we head to the right spots for Ptarmigan and Dotterel. We carefully choose the best day for your comfort and safety, and also take care not to disturb the birds. We look out for Snow Bunting, Wheatear and Ring Ouzel as we enjoy a brilliant day's birding in a very special habitat. We may also see Red-throated Diver, Goldeneye, Peregrine and Crested Tit as we descend, plus Redpoll and Siskin flocks in local birch woods. 

Day 7: Friday - Moray Coast
On our last day we may round up any inland species we have missed during the week before heading up to the Moray Coast. There, we expect to see a range of breeding birds including Osprey, Common Eider, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, Yellowhammer and Grey Partridge. Sandwich, Common, Arctic and Little Tern, Gannet, Guillemot and Razorbill are also possible, and late-summer waders may include Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit and Red Knot in breeding plumage.

Day 8: Saturday
Breakfast and departure. Don’t forget our courtesy return service to Aviemore.

This holiday can be combined with:

MAINLAND SCOTLAND
Highland Wildlife in early Summer, Wildlife of the Argyll and Inner Hebridean Islands, North West Scotland Explorer

SCOTTISH ISLAND ADVENTURES
Islands on the Edge

What's included in your holiday price

• Five 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 might be upgraded to double room accommodation at no extra charge.
• Two nights comfortable en-suite accommodation on Lewis.
• Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.
• Six full days birdwatching.
• All transport by comfortable minibus during six full days' birding. All access and ferry fees.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.
• Saturday courtesy pick-up and return service to Aviemore.
• A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes.

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. Our accommodation in Stornoway is comfortable and en-suite.
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 mostly light, although mountain walking for Ptarmigan and Dotterel is a strenuous, full day hike of around 5 or 6 miles with over 1000ft of climb. Guests can opt out of this day.
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Blazing sunshine and rain are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing. Even hardened Heatherlea guides will have hat and gloves in their bag whatever the time of year!
Biting insects may be encountered in the evenings or around standing water, though not as a serious problem. A good repellent is always recommended just in case.
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.