Scotland’s Hidden North Coast

— Discovering the wildlife of Caithness and Sutherland

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Highlights

Stroll around Handa Island nature reserve in search of skuas, terns, and seabirds whilst soaking up the incredible views.
Visit Plantlife’s Munsary Peatland reserve to explore its rich flora including carnivorous plants.
Explore the seabird colonies on the jagged cliffs and stacks around John O’ Groats by boat.
Explore the spectacular coastal scenery of northwest Scotland.
Look for eagles, Osprey, whales and dolphins, Scottish Crossbill and Crested Tit.
Stay in high-quality accommodation.

Overview

A wild, untamed area the size of Belgium lies north of Inverness; Scotland’s hidden north. This expedition allows you to experience this northern outreach of the UK to its full. Our journey will find us exploring the sheltered waters of the Moray Firth, wild islands on the Atlantic coast, rugged mountain vistas in Sutherland, spectacular white sand beaches, shifting dunes and expansive peatlands of the Caithness Flows.

Each of these breathtaking regions and remarkable habitats is home to an abundant diversity of wildlife. Bottlenose and Risso’s Dolphin, and Minke Whale can be found along the coasts, a rich and varied coastal flora will add fragrance to the air, eagles cruise along the coast and above the rugged hills, and stunted, gnarled Atlantic hazel woods cling to any suitable bit of land available. Some of Britains rarest bumblebees inhabit the rich hay meadows and machair (a flower-rich sandy grassland). We will look for Osprey, Red Kite, Scottish Crossbill and Crested Tit. Seabirds should still be around many of the colonies that inhabit perilous cliffs and with any luck we will also be able to find breeding Red- and Black-throated Diver.

Join us as we explore a hidden side to Scotland’s diverse landscape and wildlife.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Meet mid-morning in Inverness and head straight out to look for Bottlenose Dolphin and Red Kite around the Moray Firth before driving north and into the depths of Sutherland.

Day 2:

We will spend a full day exploring the stunning Assynt landscape. In the shadow of such iconic mountains as Quinag and Suilven we will discover the efforts being made to rewild its glens and mountainsides. Our eyes will be peeled for Red- and Black-throated Diver on the lochans and Golden and White-tailed Eagle cruise the munros, corbets and sea lochs. Along the coast we will look for whales and dolphins, soak in the coastal flora and dip into the underwater world of rockpools.

Day 3:

We will spend the whole day on the magical island of Handa. This remarkable Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve is home to a huge abundance of birds and a fascinating coastal heathland flora.

Day 4:

The northern coast of mainland Britain is punctuated by deep sea lochs and peninsulas, backed by some impressive mountains and home to some great wildlife. We will visit several sites from flower-rich dunes and wetlands to impressive caves whilst looking for eagles, cetaceans and a variety of plants.

Days 5-6:

From the vast, open Flow Country to the imposing cliffs of Dunnet and Duncansby, Caithness teems with wildlife. Over two days we will explore the coast by sea and land, marvel at the huge coastal cliffs, gaze at the expanses of the peatlands, walk the white sand beaches and discover a truly remarkable private reserve.

Day 7:

The morning of our final day will be spent exploring the Caledonian forests and extensive estuary around Loch Fleet. We may see Scottish Crossbill, Crested Tit, Osprey, Grey and Common Seal amongst other species. We then head back to Inverness where the tour concludes.

Gallery

Orca are occasionally seen along the Caithness coast in summer

Many species of flower should be in full bloom

Mid-summer is the perfect time to enjoy a plethora of dragonfly species such as this Black Darter

Minke Whales should be foraging close to the coast

Grey Seals are widespread around Northern Scotland

A Six-spot Burnet moth on a Common Spotted Orchid

Rich grasslands adjoin crystal clear Atlantic waters

Who we Support on this Tour

Plantlife Scotland
St John’s Pool
Trees for Life

Scottish Wildlife Trust
Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Dates and Prices

            Set Departure Dates
            Cost
            Availability
       
            Sat 7th to Fri 13th June 2025
            £TBC*
            Spaces