Travel with
Purpose
- Conservation
Wild Discovery brings together a whole new model for ecotourism with conservation and sustainability at the heart of our ethos. In a world threatened by climate change and biodiversity loss we believe that valuing and supporting conservation should be a priority for wildlife-tourism operators and our own individual footprint should be as minimal as possible.
This is the basis of all of our tours or workshops. Without active conservation many of the habitats and species we set out to experience simply wouldn’t exist or will go extinct.
“We hope you will all return home as advocates for the species and places you have visited”
Wild Discovery works by partnering with conservation organisations which not only supports the work they are doing but gives you, the guest, a unique insight into some incredible species and places. Whether you are sailing the high-seas or on a high mountain peak, you will meet local conservation hero’s and find out first-hand about the latest projects. In some places you may even get the opportunity to help collect field data which directly contributes to ongoing research.
Our Network
We work with amazing conservation partners, find out a little more about each below. As we expand our network we will regularly update this page to introduce you to the organisations we work with.
Scottish Ornithologist Club
The SOC is essentially a birdwatching club but it also promotes the study, enjoyment and conservation of wild birds and their habitats across Scotland. Wild Discovery support Scotland’s Bird Club through our Conservation Cruise.
Cairngorms National Park
Wild Discovery is a proud partner and supporter of UK’s largest national park in the heart of the Highlands, and their home. Balancing the needs of nature, people and place requires everyone within the National Park to come together, collaborating with colleagues and partners to tackle the climate and nature emergencies. We also need to ensure the National Park works for residents and local businesses, as well as providing a warm welcome for visitors.
Tourism Cares
We are very proud to be one of the first Scottish Tourism experiences listed on the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map. Tourism Cares is a US based non-profit dedicated to advancing the social, environmental and economic impact of the travel industry to help communities thrive. See Wild Discovery on the interactive map here.
The Mammal Society
The Mammal Society is a UK based chairity working to give the mammals of the British Isles a brighter future through raising awareness of the issues mammals face and sharing their scientific research so they can be best protected in the future.
Scotland: The Big Picture
SCOTLAND: The Big Picture is a charity that advocates for rewilding as a positive and progressive pathway to breathe new life into our damaged and degraded ecosystems, so that wildlife flourishes and people thrive. Find out more here.
St John’s Pool Reserve
St. John’s Pool Bird Reserve is a unique attraction in northern Scotland.
Created in 1989, SJP is now recognised as a migration hot-spot, especially for waterbirds, and hosts hundreds of breeding terns, gulls and wildfowl every year.
The range of viewing facilities offers unrivalled opportunities for photographers and birdwatchers alike.
Plantlife Scotland
Wild flowers, plants and fungi are the life support for all Scotland's wildlife and their colour and character light up our mountains and glens, lochs and islands. But without our help, this priceless natural heritage is in danger of being lost.
From the spectacular landscape of Munsary Peatlands Reserve to the corridors of Holyrood, we raise their profile, celebrate their beauty, and protect their future.
Lynbreck Croft
Lynbreck Croft use nature as their guide to produce food for their local community. They are passionate about working with nature and their animals to build biodiversity and to help reconnect people with the land and understand where their food comes from using regenerative farming techniques.
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's vision is of healthy Hebridean seas for whales, dolphins, porpoises and people. A marine conservation charity, based on the Isle of Mull, HWDT works to conserve Hebridean whales, dolphins and porpoises through robust science, inspirational education and meaningful engagement, so that they thrive in harmony alongside coastal communities.
Butterfly Conservation
Butterflies and moths are a vital part of our wildlife heritage and are valuable as sensitive indicators of the health of our environment. Their mission is to have a world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever. Their work also benefits other wildlife and the ecosystems upon which all life depends.
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
A charitable social enterprise committed to environmental conservation and education. Their centre in Knapdale Forest, Argyll provides face-to-face information about all of the amazing diversity of species to be found there on both land and at sea. The stars are, of course, the beavers.
Wild Scotland
Wild Discovery is proud to be a member of Wild Scotland, the national association representing Wildlife, Adventure and Activity Tourism in Scotland. Through Wild Scotland we support & promote conservation-led wildlife tourism as viable option for rural communities, placing the highest value on Scotland’s natural heritage.
Cairngorms Business Partnership
Wild Discovery is also a member of the Cairngorms Business Partnership (CBP), the Chamber of Commerce for businesses in the Cairngorms National Park. The CBP represents and supports businesses, bringing partners and stakeholders together to develop and diversify business opportunities within the national park.
Cairngorms Capercaillie Project
Wild Discovery is proud to support the ‘Lek it be’ campaign, led by Cairngorms National Park. Capercaillie are rapidly declining in Scotland and one of the biggest pressures they face today is simply disturbance. This is easy to avoid so Wild Discovery does not go searching for this bird on any of their tours.
If you are thinking of going looking for Capercaillie please don’t. If you visit woodland please stick to the paths and if you have a dog please make sure they stay on the lead. Let’s do our bit to give these magnificent and iconic birds a chance.
Sustainability
Sustainability requires a holistic approach. Conservation, people, the landscape and economy are all connected, often tenuously but we strive through Wild Discovery to strengthen those links, to value our landscapes and to connect people with nature.
“ Tread lightly”
We aspire to tread lightly but travel with purpose. Through extensive research and our own in-depth knowledge we create our expeditions around engaging local services and sourcing local produce. We endeavour to contribute to local community enterprises, promote wildlife tourism and keep our carbon footprint as small as possible. Our aim: to deliver an unparalleled wildlife experience through sustainable means.
We look to identify and support conservation projects that incorporate the community and landscape within their approach to management. Using this approach, these projects can generate a substantial financial boost to local economies and provide new and engaging sources of income for individuals and businesses. We endeavour to support and promote this approach to community and landscape conservation.
Reducing our carbon footprint is an essential part of sustainable ecotourism.
With that in mind, Wild Discovery has set up a woodland grove with Trees for Life. Trees for Life are a Highland-based charity whose remit is to rewild the wider Caledonian landscape. Every person that joins a tour will have at least one tree planted in the woodland grove on their behalf.
Take a further eco-friendly step along your Wild Discovery journey and consider travelling by rail or bus. Sit back, relax and see more of the countryside whilst helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Our UK tours start and end by picking you up and dropping you off at a main train or bus station.