Birds & Mammals of the Cairngorms (Wildlife Photography)

Some of the finest opportunities for mammal photography in Britain are to be found in the Cairngorms, where the mountains also support good populations of moorland and alpine birds that are difficult to photograph elsewhere. During this short break, we will photograph several charismatic species that are rare or absent south of the Scottish border, such as Pine Marten, Red Squirrel, Mountain Hare and Ptarmigan, using a combination of hides and tracking on foot in the wild and rugged terrain. From our comfortable hotel near Aviemore, we will be surrounded by superb scenery, with easy access to the Cairngorms and numerous wildlife viewing spots.

We meet in Inverness before making our way south to Aviemore, where we will be based for the next 5 nights. After checking in and an introductory presentation from our photographer-leader, Robert Harvey, we will head out into the Caledonian pine forest at the RSPB’s famous Loch Garten reserve. We will spend the afternoon photographing woodland birds, including Treecreeper and Crested Tit, and staying out until sunset will also give us the opportunity to bring the forest to life with our lenses as the sinking sun spreads rays of golden light through the forest.

Over the following days, we will visit specially constructed hides in order to photograph Red Squirrel and woodland birds that might include Siskin, Redpoll, Crested Tit and Bullfinch. On one morning, an early start will allow us to visit a Black Grouse lek site, observing this stunning spectacle from specially situated hides. Getting so close to these lekking birds is a rare privilege, and so our early start should be well rewarded! We will also enjoy excursions searching for Red Grouse, Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare, both on foot and from our vehicle. With stunning landscapes wherever we go, there will often be the opportunity to enjoy some landscape photography too.

On our final evening in the Cairngorms, we will visit a specially constructed hide where Pine Marten one of Britain’s most beautiful and elusive carnivores, are frequently observed. We settle down in the comfortable hide during the early evening and wait, with luck being entertained by the local Badgers as we do.

On the last morning of the tour we will return to the Red Squirrel and Woodland Bird hides before enjoying a last lunch together, which will give us a chance to review our images and reflect on a productive week of wildlife photography.