Wildlife Watching Trip to See Scotland's Mammals

Ardnamurchan is the long, narrow peninsula that runs alongside along Loch Sunart and marks the most westerly tip of the Scottish (and British) mainland. This remote part of the west coast is a place of big skies, breathtaking sunsets and wide empty beaches. It will serve as our base for the first part of this new holiday which goes in search of some of Scotland’s key mammal species.

Ardnamurchan is one of the best places in Scotland to look for Pine Marten – these secretive and beautiful mammals are regularly seen at known locations throughout the peninsula. In addition we will spotlight for these on night drives, hoping also to see the elusive Scottish Wildcat. Other mammals we’ll look for here include Otters, as well as Grey and Common Seals. We’ll also make one or more boat trips, weather permitting, to explore the waters surrounding Mull and the peninsula, where it’s possible to see Minke Whale, Harbour Porpoise, Bottlenose Dolphin and Common Dolphin.

For the second phase of our tour we’ll transfer to Speyside, where we’ll look Mountain Hare, Red Squirrel, Badger and a trio of Scottish deer: Roe, Red and Sika. The Speyside region is noted for the tracts of ancient Caledonian woodland which still survive in the picturesque Spey Valley where farmland, peaty marshes, forest and lochs offer a variety of habitats in the shadow of the towering Cairngorm Mountains. Although our main focus will be mammals, there should be plenty of interesting birdlife to enjoy, such as Golden Eagle, Crested Tit, Black Grouse, Capercaillie and Scottish Crossbill.