NEW! Walking and Autumn Wildlife

This brand-new autumn holiday differs from many Heatherlea itineraries as we focus on wildlife watching by foot!  At a time of year when birdlife and surroundings are naturally varied, we explore the Scottish Highlands as it begins the transition from summer to winter. As well as enjoying the exercise, we relish seeing a wide range of habitats from the pink heather moors, to the gold and red in the birch woods and the deep greens of the ancient pine forests. We plan to visit the coast twice, wildlife watching on foot around the beaches, estuaries and coastal headlands bordering the Moray Firth.

Daily walks will be between four and eight miles, many of them on former droving routes, old railway lines, or on marked footpaths. There may be a small element of wild walking across remote heather moorland or over the Cairngorm plateau to provide a different experience in a unique landscape. Most walks will be on level or undulating terrain, with some steeper trails on the mountain days, but rest assured – this is a group activity so nobody will be left behind, and there won’t be any rock climbing involved!

The wildlife we see will vary greatly and following the breeding season, our resident bird populations are at their peak. We hope to encounter Scottish specialities including Black and Red Grouse, Ptarmigan, Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Snow Bunting, Crested Tit and crossbills. Southbound migration will also be in full swing, and while exploring the coasts a variety of geese and other wildfowl, waders, seabirds, terns and passerines including thrushes, chats, pipits, finches, warblers are on the move. Walking in the hills we may see (and hear) Red Deer at the rut, as well as Mountain and Brown Hare, in the woods Red Squirrel, and on the coast Bottlenose Dolphin and other cetaceans likely. We also plan to run a moth trap on warmer nights, and when out for the day take in the flora and fungi at our feet, as well as any late dragonflies and butterflies that may occur.

A fabulous new adventure for the general naturalist that enjoys seeing a wide range of wildlife in picturesque Highland scenery, while placing one foot in front of the other!

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

• Key Highland wildlife perhaps including Golden Eagle, Black Grouse, Crested Tit, Scottish Crossbill and Red Squirrel.
• Walking amidst the dramatic Scottish scenery, with seasonal changing habitats from the pink heather moors, to the birch and pine woods.
• Hiking in the Cairngorm and Monadhliath Mountains, watching out for Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting, Red Deer and Mountain Hare.
• Incoming migrant wildfowl, waders, seabirds and passerines from the coast path bordering the Moray Firth.

Day 1: Saturday - Arrival
Arrival, welcome and dinner. Don't forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore!

Day 2: Sunday – Walking the Speyside Way, Nethy Bridge to Cromdale
Easing ourselves in gently, we take a lovely and relatively flat walk along a former railway line which loosely follows the banks of the River Spey. The changes of habitat bring a good variety of local wildlife, with different species likely when in the forest, passing through farmland or by the riverside. The calls of Crested Tit and crossbills will help us locate both and though Capercaillie also occur in these forests, they are increasingly scarce and we no longer actively look for them. Any sightings should be seen as incidental. In the fields, groups of locally bred Mistle and Song Thrush will soon be dispersing, replaced by incoming Meadow Pipit which can be especially numerous at this time of year. Dipper and Grey Wagtail are both likely on the river, as are Goldeneye and Goosander. As we walk, Red Squirrel, Brown Hare and Roe Deer are all likely and if the sun shines, Common Hawker dragonflies will still be on the wing and there are chances of a late Scotch Argus butterfly. Pausing frequently, we investigate anything we can find, be it any late flowering plants or the variety of fungi which are often at their most prominent in September. A great introduction to the massive diversity of Highland wildlife!

DISTANCE - 6 to 8 miles.
TERRAIN – Good quality grassy tracks and paths, occasionally muddy and damp in places.
GRADIENT - Generally easy walking and mostly flat.

Day 3: Monday – The Moray Coast
We have lots of options on the Moray coast, and in a complete contrast from our first day we follow the coast. Walking along beaches, through farmland, along the clifftop and passing harbours and a number of picturesque landmarks such as the Bow Fiddle Rock. We should see a wide range of birds, including post-breeding ducks and geese, and we listen out for the ‘wink-wink’ of Pink-footed Geese overhead, fresh in from their Svalbard breeding ground. Wader numbers will be starting to build, and we purposefully walk close to the shore to try and see as great a variety of species as possible. Around the cliffs, most breeding seabirds may have finished but species such as Black Guillemot, Shag and Gannet are still likely. At a time of year when young Osprey gather on the coast to learn their trade, we may see them fishing (or at least attempting too) today. Grey Seal are likely, and we may get lucky with cetaceans such as Bottlenose Dolphin, Harbour Porpoise and Minke Whale with chances of Basking Shark too. In farmland, Grey Partridge, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting and Brown Hare may be seen – there will certainly be no shortage of variety today!

DISTANCE - 4 to 6 miles.
TERRAIN - Riverside, beach, shingle, clifftop and concrete paths
GRADIENT - Flat beach or coast path walking, with some ascent to the clifftop to enjoy views of birds out on the sea.

Day 4: Tuesday - Cairngorm Mountains
We begin with a pre-breakfast visit to a Black Grouse lek, as birds begin to return to traditional display sites. Later we head into the hills to look for some of the specialist montane species only found at this altitude. Amidst stunning mountain scenery, wildlife should include family coveys of Ptarmigan and Red Grouse plus Snow Bunting, Wheatear and Mountain Hare. We have chances of a late Ring Ouzel too, and choosing the best weather conditions for our day in the mountains, one spectacular view follows another in a setting unique to the Cairngorm National Park.

DISTANCE - 6 to 8 miles.
TERRAIN – Strenuous Walking on maintained footpaths, but with no scrambling.
GRADIENT - Strenuous walking with periods of sustained ascent, potentially of 600m gain.

Day 5: Wednesday – Tarbat Ness peninsula
Today we visit the Tarbat Peninsula, a narrow headland north of the Inverness protruding out into the North Sea. Following the coast path, we watch out for migrant passerines in the scrubby cover, plantations, fields and sea cliffs. The peninsula is perfectly positioned to ‘catch’ southbound migrants and in the right conditions may produce warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, Wheatear, Redstart, Whinchat or something scarcer like a Red-backed Shrike or Wryneck. The fields support flocks of passing geese, Golden Plover, Skylark, pipits and wagtails with resident farmland birds including Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow and Linnet. Bottlenose Dolphin and Grey Seal may be encountered offshore, and later we investigate estuarine and coastal sites for passage waders and returning winter sea-duck such as Scaup and Common Scoter.

DISTANCE – 6 to 8 miles.
TERRAIN – Paths and tracks mainly along the coastpath.
GRADIENT - Mostly flat, with some undulations on the coast.

Day 6: Thursday – The Monadhliath hills and moors
Having already enjoyed a day on the high peaks of the Cairngorms, known as the Monadhruadh – (the red mountains), we explore the opposite side of Strathspey and into the Monadhliath – (the grey mountains). We have a number of options, and walking in over the open moors, raptors are our main target as we move. At a time of year when youngsters are learning to hunt, in the mid-altitude hills (approx. 400-700m above sea level) we have good chances to encounter Golden Eagle. Also likely are Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine with White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Goshawk and Merlin possible too. Traversing the open landscape, Black and Red Grouse might both be seen, as might Mountain Hare and Red Deer, the latter perhaps bellowing loudly as the rutting season begins.

DISTANCE - 6 to 8 miles.
TERRAIN - Open moorland, with some birch and pine woods. Most walking on rough tracks.
GRADIENT – Some steep sections depending on our chosen route.

Day 7: Friday - Abernethy Forest, Glenmore to Nethy Bridge via Ryvoan
We finish our week of walking and wildlife with the ultimate walk, meandering through the heart of the Caledonian Forest. Passing a number of famous Highland landmarks, historical bothies, picturesque lochans and vast areas of wet heath, in the afternoon we arrive back to the Mountview Hotel on foot to enjoy an end-of-tour dram and a relaxing evening reminiscing about the adventures of the week! Wildlife through the day is likely to include crossbills and Crested Tit in the forests again, Dipper by the river and perhaps raptors over open ground. Mammals may include Brown Hare, Roe and Red Deer and Red Squirrel with perhaps some interesting fungi such as Bleeding Tooth on this lovely final walk.

DISTANCE - 6 to 8 miles.
TERRAIN – Stoney, forest paths and a stream to cross.
GRADIENT - Easy ascents on paths.

Day 8: Saturday - Departure
Breakfast and departure. Don't forget our courtesy drop off service to Aviemore!

This holiday can be combined with:

MAINLAND SCOTLAND
The Outer Limits Adventure, Highland Autumn Explorer

SCOTTISH ISLANDS

North Ronaldsay and Orkney in Autumn for birders

What's included in your holiday price

• Seven 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.
• Six full days wildlife watching.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.
• All transport by comfortable minibus.
• 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 or wellies.
Walking as detailed above, though please note this is a guide only, and we will be happy to discuss walking in more detail if required.
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.
Biting insects may be encountered though not as a serious problem.
Group size maximum 7 clients per guide.
Optics Telescopes will be useful but remember you will have to carry them while walking. The guide will have a telescope for group use but you should bring your own 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!