Autumn in the Cairngorms

Tour Code: GBR157

A 7-day holiday exploring the ancient woods, lochs, marshes and moorlands in search of the birds and mammals of the Cairngorms, plus a visit to a hide to watch for Pine Marten and Badger.

7 days from
£1,695

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Highlights

Summary

As the landscape changes colour it’s a great time to be in Scotland. This 7-day tour will visit the ancient woods of Caledon and a variety of other forests in search of Crossbills, Crested Tit and Red Squirrel. On the lochs are Greylag and Pink-footed Geese, Goldeneye and Goosander. Nearby marshes are inhabited by winter migrants such as Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Teal and possibly Hen Harrier. Moorlands and hillsides hold Red Grouse, Mountain Hare, Red Deer and Golden Eagles, while an evening visit to a hide will give us the opportunity to watch for Pine Marten and Badger.

Mammals include Red Squirrel, Mountain Hare, Pine Marten and Red Deer.
Woodland birds including Siskin, Crossbill and Crested Tit possible.
Stunning scenery of the Cairngorm Mountains, Speyside and Caledonian pine forests.
Raptors including Golden Eagle and Hen Harrier.
Coastal visit for sea ducks.
Led by expert naturalist guide.

Grading

Grade A/B. Easy to moderate day walks, some over rough terrain.

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Meet Inverness & transfer to Cairngorms

Day 2/6

Excursions around the Cairngorms

Day 7

Morning excursion then depart Inverness

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Accommodation:
Accommodation will be in comfortable, en-suite rooms, however the exact location may vary between tours. On departures where we are using the exclusive lodge, this is based in Glen Feshie, at Ballintean Mountain Lodge. Other groups will stay at the Rowan Tree Hotel, Nethy Bridge Hotel, or similar comfortable hotels in the Aviemore area.
Food:
All meals are included in the tour cost, from the evening meal on day 1 to lunch on day 7.

Reviews

I loved the variety, coastal and mountains, birds, mammals, plants and scenery. The hotel was very good, warm and comfortable. The staff were very pleased to help and the food was very good. Keith is a lovely man, and excellent leader, good humoured, kind and patient. His knowledge is amazing both of the area and of the different species. There was a good atmosphere and the group gelled really well which was due to Keith's good leadership.The highlights was seeing the badgers and pine martin, and the eagle and then the thousands of pink footed geese. I enjoyed it all and it was made better because it was such a lovely group that got on very well, with lots of fun.
J.W. West Sussex, Sep24
A week in the Cairngorms watching wildlife particularly birds. It was an amazing week, with a small group of like-minded people. The tour guide was incredible - well planned, used all available time, very knowledgeable of the area we were in as well as the wildlife. Couldn't have found a better guide. Everything was smoothly and efficiently done. Always a very kind and competent person on the end of the phone dealing with the booking and any queries I had.
W.L. London, Oct 23

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Sat 27th Sep – Fri 3rd Oct FULL £1,695

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£1,695

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£475

Tour Leader:

Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary

Mick Durham

Tour Leader: Mick Durham

Mick trained as an English and Outdoor Education teacher and spent much of his working life teaching a range of activities such as mountaineering and climbing, canoeing, orienteering and camping in a local authority centre in North Wales. When not working he spent much of his time watching and photographing wildlife. He moved to Scotland over 25-years ago and has continued with his photography, concentrating on Scottish wildlife. Since retiring he has worked as a guide leading wildlife photography groups abroad and guiding wildlife groups in Scotland. In 2013 he gained his Fellowship with the Royal Photographic Society and is currently the Chair of the Natural History Distinctions Panel responsible for assessing Associate and Fellowship submissions.

Although interested in all kinds of wildlife, Mick is particularly keen on photographing wildlife in cold climates and also the wildlife found throughout Scotland. In particular he is passionate about Scottish coastal Otters and he has been observing and photographing these enigmatic creatures since he first visited Mull in 1988.

2026

Departures Availability Cost

Sat 26th Sep – Fri 2nd Oct SPACES £1,895

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.

£1,895

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£495

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.

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Tour Reports

Tour report - October 2020

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