Birds & Mammals of the Cairngorms (Wildlife Photography)

Tour Code: GBR53

A 6-day Wildlife Photography holiday to the Cairngorms, focusing on photographing the area's charismatic birds and mammals and stunning mountain landscapes.

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 01962 733051.
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Some of the finest opportunities for photography in Britain are to be found in the Cairngorms and during this short break we aim to photograph several charismatic mammal species that are rare or absent south of the Scottish border. This tour will be led by award-winning photographer Robert Harvey, an expert in landscape and wildlife photography. From specialist hides we will photograph Red Squirrels, Black Grouse, Pine Marten and woodland birds. In Braemar and Glenshee, our target will be Red Grouse with its wonderfully colourful plumage which can (with careful exposure) look especially good photographed against a background of snow, and we'll journey to the Findhorn Valley to photograph another Scottish specialty, the Mountain Hare.

  • Use specialist photography hides & tracking on foot
  • Photograph Red Squirrel, Pine Marten & Mountain Hare
  • Black Grouse, Ptarmigan & Crested Tit among special birds
  • Spectacular snow-capped mountain scenery
  • Led by professional photographer Robert Harvey

Grading

Grade B – Moderate day walks. Photography of Mountain Hares and Ptarmigan in particular is on foot, and involves walking in mountains, including uphill sections and steep/rough terrain at time. The Ptarmigan excursion is a four mile round trip on foot with almost 1000 feet of elevation gain (the trail is good but at this time of year can sometimes be buried under snow!). Ptarmigan especially is a demanding species to find, so some effort will be required, though the results are extremely rewarding.

We travel by minibus most days, but will spend plenty of the time exploring on foot. Enjoyment of this tour, therefore, demands a reasonable level of fitness and an enjoyment of walking (or, the unfit should be prepared to feel tired at times!). All walks will be taken at a leisurely pace, and a built-in flexibility will take into account of the overall abilities of the group.

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.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Sample Itineraries

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Meet Inverness; transfer Cairngorms
Day 2/5
Wildlife photography around the Cairngorms
Day 6
Return to Inverness after lunch.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED

What's Included?

  • Accommodation:

    We stay in a comfortable hotel near Aviemore, where all rooms have en-suite facilities.

  • Food:

    All food is included in the price, except for lunch on the first day.

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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!