Scotland's Winter Wildlife Photography Tour

Tour Code: GBR53

A 7-day wildlife photography holiday to the Scottish Highlands, focusing on photographing the area's charismatic birds and mammals and stunning mountain landscapes.

£2,595

Land Only
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Tour Itinerary and Reports

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Carbon Footprint

141kg CO2e

With International Flights

140.6kg CO2e

Tour Only

What does this mean?

Highlights

  • Use of specialist photography hides & tracking on foot
  • Photograph Red Squirrel, Mountain Hare & Red Deer
  • Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting & Crested Tit among special birds
  • Spectacular snow-capped mountain scenery
  • Led by a professional photographer

Summary

Some of the finest opportunities for photography in Britain are to be found in the Scottish Highlands and during this holiday we aim to photograph several charismatic mammal species that are rare or absent south of the Scottish border. In specific locations or from specialist hides we will photograph Red Squirrels, Crested Tit and Red Deer. On Dava Moor our target will be Red Grouse with its wonderfully colourful plumage which can look especially good photographed against a background of snow, and we'll journey to the Findhorn Valley to photograph another Scottish speciality, the Mountain Hare. We'll also visit the Moray Coast in search of wintering sea ducks and waders, as well as ascend the slopes of Cairngorm in search of Ptarmigan and Snow Bunting.

Some of the finest opportunities for mammal photography in Britain are to be found in the Scottish Highlands, where the mountains also support good populations of moorland and alpine birds that are difficult to photograph elsewhere. During this week long break, we will photograph several charismatic species that are rare or absent south of the Scottish border, such as Red Squirrel, Crested Tit, Mountain Hare and Ptarmigan, using a combination of hides and tracking on foot in the wild and rugged terrain. 

We meet in Inverness then spend one night by the Moray coast before making our way south. On the first afternoon we will seek out the sheltered bays along the coast in search of wintering sea ducks, waders and divers, such as Long-tailed Duck and Goldeneye, before transferring to our first hotel where our photographer-leader will introduce the week. The next morning we will have a further chance to photograph the wildfowl in this area before we head inland.

En-route south we will stop for opportunities to photograph Red Grouse on the moors, prior to arriving at our base for the next 5 nights. From our comfortable hotel near Aviemore, we will be surrounded by superb scenery, with easy access to the Cairngorms and numerous wildlife viewing spots. Over the following days, we will visit specially constructed hides in order to photograph Red Squirrel and woodland locations for both Crested Tit and Red Deer. We will also enjoy excursions searching for Ptarmigan, Snow Buntings and Mountain Hare, mainly on foot. With stunning landscapes wherever we go, there will often be the opportunity to enjoy some landscape photography too.

On the last morning of the tour we will have a final opportunity to seek out the wildlife of this region 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.

Outline Itinerary

Day
1
Meet Inverness; transfer Moray Coast
Days
2 - 6
Wildlife photography around the Moray Coast, Cairngorms and Speyside
Day
7
Return to Inverness after lunch.

What's Included?

Food

All food is included in the price, from the evening meal on the first day to lunch on the last day.

Accommodation

We stay in a comfortable hotel by the Moray Coast for the first night then at a small hotel near Aviemore. All rooms have en-suite facilities.

Documents

Tour Reports

Dates & Prices

2027

Land Only

£2,595

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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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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