Mammals of the Highlands, Scotland

Day 1:

Pick up from Inverness train station at 1230 or 1600, transfer to Aigas Field Centre and settle in. This afternoon we will deploy some camera traps around Aigas Estate to see what we can capture over the week. Option for an evening watch for Beaver, Pine Marten and Badger.

Day 2:

We will start our first full day with a visit to the northwest coast of Scotland. Here we will focus on Otters, Common and Grey Seals with the chance of inshore cetaceans such as Harbour Porpoise, Common Dolphin and Minke Whale. On the way to the coast we can expect to see Red and Roe Deer and maybe even Field Voles which visit a suitably located bird feeding station at which we will stop. The scenery is spectacular and there will be ample photographic opportunities in this area.

This evening we will visit a Pine Marten viewing hide and with luck other local residents may also put in an appearance, such as Badger. We will also have the bat detectors out to see what we can hear and see.

Day 3:

In the morning we have a look at our camera trap footage and learn more about using these brilliant bits of technology for documenting mammals as well as checking small mammal traps set the night before which may yield Bank and Field Voles and Wood Mice. In the afternoon we will explore up Glen Affric, home to a variety of species including Red Squirrel, Red and Roe Deer. Option for an evening watch for Beaver, Pine Marten and Badger.

Day 4:

Full day exploring the Cairngorms National Park including rich areas of Caledonian forest home to Red Squirrels, as well as the upland habitats of the massif where Reindeer roam and Mountain Hare hunker down amongst the boulders and heather. We will search several glens (Strathdearn) and straths for Red, Roe and Sika Deer, Wild Goats and Brown Hares.

Day 5:

Today we will embark on a full day in the Minch, a rich area of sea separating the mainland with the Western Isles. Here we will be looking for Humpback, Fin and Minke Whales, Common Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise with the possibility of rarer species too. Both Common and Grey Seals are also seen along the coast. In the evening we will undertake a Bat walk and also deploy small mammal traps.

Day 6:

Today we will start by checking the small mammal traps as well as the opportunity to see the Aigas Wild Cats, part of the Scottish breeding programme for this endangered felid, followed by time on the Black Isle where a resident pod of Bottlenose Dolphins can give superb views as well as Common and Grey Seals. We will also look for Brown Hares in the lowland arable areas. 

Day 7:

Our final full day will give us the opportunity to revisit any sites or search for any elusive species as well as collect in our camera traps and review the footage. Option for an evening watch for Beaver, Pine Marten and Badger.

Day 8:

Following breakfast transfer back to Inverness where this tour will conclude.

Capercaillie Need Our Help

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.