Scotland's Mammals & Highlights of the Highlands

Tour Code: GBR37

An 8-day holiday in search of mammals and birds in Scotland's 'wild west', the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the westernmost area of the British mainland.

8 days from
£1,595 (land only)
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

The Ardnamurchan Peninsula is the westernmost area of the British mainland and on this 8-day tour we’ll be staying on the Ardnamurchan Estate on the south coast of the peninsula, from where we will make day-time and night-time excursions to look for the region’s special mammals, including Wildcat. Our base on the Estate gives us easy access to nearby woodland which holds a high density of one of Britain’s most beautiful and elusive mammals, the Pine Marten, as well as Roe, Fallow and Red Deer, Badger and Fox. The sheltered bays along the south coast of the peninsula are home to Otters, seals and seabirds and we will explore this, as well as the north coast where we will look for raptors and Red Deer. We will not confine ourselves to looking for land mammals, and on one day we’ll take to the sea to visit smaller isles and hope to see Minke Whales and other cetaceans.

  • Travel through breathtaking scenery in Scotland’s ‘wild west’
  • Look for Otters on Loch Sunart, a Special Conservation Area for the species
  • Stay on the Ardnamurchan Estate, close to Glenborrodale Castle
  • Woodland around our accommodation has a high density of Pine Martens
  • Red, Roe & Fallow deer plus Common & Atlantic Grey Seals
  • Night drive to look for endangered Wildcat & other mammals
  • Gannets, Manx Shearwaters, Black Guillemots & Kittiwakes
  • Great & Arctic Skuas & Arctic Terns at Ardnamurchan Point
  • Boat trip to Coll & Muck looking for cetaceans & seabirds
  • Common & Bottlenose Dolphins, Minke Whales, Harbour Porpoise & Basking Shark
  • Enjoy sweeping views to the ‘small isles’ from the north coast & visit Sanna Bay
  • Led by an expert naturalist & local guides

Grading

A. Gentle wildlife walks. Any more demanding walks will be optional.

The Ardnamurchan Peninsula has a very special atmosphere, deriving from its isolated location in the far west of the Scottish highlands. Here, the remote situation and an invigorating blend of superb wildlife, breathtaking scenery and crisp sea air combine to offer the visitor a unique experience that is far removed from the pressures of modern life. On this tour, as we travel through a variety of stunning landscapes, it will be impossible not to be moved by a real sense of wilderness. The pace of life here is dictated by the remoteness of the peninsula and, as we adjust, we can truly appreciate the wild beauty of this unique place.

To reach it, we will meet in Glasgow, then journey north through Glen Coe to take the Corran ferry over Loch Linnhe to Ardnamurchan. This crossing lies on one of the ancient routes along which the highlanders drove their cattle to market in central Scotland. We then turn west and head through the pretty village of Strontian. From here, the single-track road hugs the coast for most of the 50 miles to Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly place on the British mainland. 

We will be staying on the Ardnamurchan Estate, close to Glenborrodale Castle, from where we will have relatively easy access to the best areas for wildlife. Woodlands around our accommodation hold a high density of Pine Martens and provide cover for both Red and Roe Deer, and August is the best time to admire the full antlers on the biggest stags. Fallow Deer, along with commoner mammals such as Badger and Red Fox, are also possible. Most of these species are best looked for after dark so we will head our after dark on at least one occasion, with a spotlight, for an exciting drive around the peninsula. There is even the possibility of an encounter with the most enigmatic of all British mammals, the Scottish Wildcat.

We will spend two days exploring the south coast of Ardnamurchan, which is home to seabirds, seals and Otters. Loch Sunart, which stretches along the south coast of Ardnamurchan, is in fact a Special Area of Conservation for Otter — the sheltered bays near Glenborrodale being particularly good locations for this popular species. As we travel west, the coastline becomes more exposed and both Common and Atlantic Grey seals can be seen, often ‘spy-hopping’ to get a better view of their human admirers! Regular flocks of Gannets, Manx Shearwaters and Kittiwakes sometimes fly close to shore, where we can also expect to see small numbers of Black Guillemots and a range of waders. Looking out from the historic lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point offers the possibility of other seabirds such as Great Skuas (known locally as ‘Bonxies’), Arctic Skuas and Arctic Terns. We will also hope to see the Twite flock that often frequents this area from August onwards. 

One of the highlights of this holiday will be a day at sea with an experienced local skipper. We will sail from Loch Sunart across to Coll, where we can expect close views of the seals that live in the shallow, turquoise waters. After a visit to the Isle of Muck (including a well-deserved tea break in the café), we will return via the spectacular Ardnamurchan Point. We will be looking for the cetaceans that occur regularly in these waters, including Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise and Minke Whales; Basking Sharks are also possible. A boat trip across the ‘Sea of the Hebrides’ is an experience that will live long in the memory! 

We will spend our last two days visiting a variety of sites in the centre and on the north coast of the peninsula, including Sanna Bay, a truly magical beach with white sands and sweeping views across to the small isles. The journey to Sanna takes us through the geologically fascinating ‘Land of the Rings’, a landscape dominated by concentric rings of rocky ridges. This part of Ardnamurchan is home to a range of raptors including Golden and White-tailed Eagles. We will take time to seek out these iconic birds in their expansive wilderness, where displaying Ravens and herds of Red Deer are a common sight.

The Ardnamurchan Peninsula is a magical place that retains the wild character of the ancient highlands. This holiday offers the chance to see a range of wildlife in unspoilt and unforgettable locations.

 

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Meet Glasgow; transfer Ardnamurchan.
Day 2/7
Excursions on and from the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.
Day 8
Return to Glasgow
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Accommodation: Comfortable guesthouse; all rooms with private facilities.
  • Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2024

Departures Availability Cost
Thu 1st Aug – Thu 8th Aug FULL £1,595
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£255
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Marcus John
Marcus John

Tour Leader: Marcus John

Marcus developed a passion for wildlife during his childhood spent in rural Somerset. He was never without ‘The Observer’s Book of Birds’ and spent all his free time walking and cycling in the countryside between Wells and Cheddar. His obsession with birds soon extended to mammals and insects, as well as wildlife photography. Over the years, he has participated in various surveys for Natural Resources Wales and the BTO. He has also led walks and presented talks at RPSB events in Wales and England and is an active member of the Gwent Ornithological Society.

After graduating from Bristol University, he started a family and embarked on a career in education – but he never missed an opportunity to travel! Over the past thirty years, he has sought out wildlife across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and the Caribbean, and has been leading Naturetrek tours since 2011.

Ten years ago, he established our first tours to Ardnamurchan, and he has returned to lead in the Scottish Highlands every year since. He has subsequently taken Naturetrek groups to many European destinations, his favourites being Iceland and the Camargue. With a life-long interest in Africa, he has relished opportunities to lead tours in Ethiopia, Tanzania and The Gambia, and also has some expertise in Caribbean wildlife, having guided groups to both Jamaica and Trinidad.

Marcus has developed a strong reputation as a naturalist guide and his approachability, friendly advice and sense of humour are always appreciated by our clients!

Fri 9th Aug – Fri 16th Aug 4 £1,595
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£255
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Glyn Evans
Glyn Evans

Tour Leader: Glyn Evans

Glyn has been a bird watcher since he found a Waxwing on his way to school, aged eight. Ever since then, he says, his “lifelong underachieving in study and work has been mainly attributed to this distraction! Many a previous work colleague had a conversation abruptly aborted due to something much more interesting catching my eye out of the window…”

 

Eventually the penny dropped, and now he finds wildlife for a living! He lives in a lovely part of Essex where a good variety of local habitats deliver a wide range of birds and other wildlife. He regularly enjoys showcasing this on social media which, in turn, has helped several environmental causes he is now working on as an influential local councillor.

 

Nature watching isn’t always action-packed, so it is important, he says, to enjoy people’s company in the quiet and challenging times as much as when the wildlife is performing! People’s holidays should be fun, regardless of whatever luck they have.

Sat 17th Aug – Sat 24th Aug 4 £1,595
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£255
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Glyn Evans
Glyn Evans

Tour Leader: Glyn Evans

Glyn has been a bird watcher since he found a Waxwing on his way to school, aged eight. Ever since then, he says, his “lifelong underachieving in study and work has been mainly attributed to this distraction! Many a previous work colleague had a conversation abruptly aborted due to something much more interesting catching my eye out of the window…”

 

Eventually the penny dropped, and now he finds wildlife for a living! He lives in a lovely part of Essex where a good variety of local habitats deliver a wide range of birds and other wildlife. He regularly enjoys showcasing this on social media which, in turn, has helped several environmental causes he is now working on as an influential local councillor.

 

Nature watching isn’t always action-packed, so it is important, he says, to enjoy people’s company in the quiet and challenging times as much as when the wildlife is performing! People’s holidays should be fun, regardless of whatever luck they have.

Sun 25th Aug – Sun 1st Sep SPACES £1,595
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£255
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Steve Gater
Steve-Gater.jpg

Tour Leader: Steve Gater

Steve's had a life-long interest in wildlife, particularly plants, birds and butterflies. After graduating in biology and completing a PhD, he taught for many years, running field trips in the Yorkshire dales and elsewhere. As headteacher, he led trips to three continents before retiring to concentrate on conservation work. He established Durham Wildlife Trust botany group, chaired DWT and edited the 5th edition of The Natural History of Upper Teesdale. He especially enjoys giving talks and training, leading walks and surveying in his home county. When not on Naturetrek trips he is botanising and birding in Upper Teesdale and environs, or practicing his French and Spanish! Other credits to his name include being the secretary of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland and is the editor of newly published first edition ‘The natural history of Upper Weardale (companion volume to the 'Upper Teesdale' book). Steve is also the current President of Darlington & Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club.

Mon 2nd Sep – Mon 9th Sep FULL £1,595
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£255
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Steve Gater
Steve-Gater.jpg

Tour Leader: Steve Gater

Steve's had a life-long interest in wildlife, particularly plants, birds and butterflies. After graduating in biology and completing a PhD, he taught for many years, running field trips in the Yorkshire dales and elsewhere. As headteacher, he led trips to three continents before retiring to concentrate on conservation work. He established Durham Wildlife Trust botany group, chaired DWT and edited the 5th edition of The Natural History of Upper Teesdale. He especially enjoys giving talks and training, leading walks and surveying in his home county. When not on Naturetrek trips he is botanising and birding in Upper Teesdale and environs, or practicing his French and Spanish! Other credits to his name include being the secretary of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland and is the editor of newly published first edition ‘The natural history of Upper Weardale (companion volume to the 'Upper Teesdale' book). Steve is also the current President of Darlington & Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club.

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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