March 20 - 25 Sat - Thu
Group Size: 9
Starting Point: Inverness
Based: Carloway (Lewis)
Walking: Easy

Description:

For several years now we have consistently enjoyed unsurpassable Golden Eagle viewing on Lewis and Harris, also achieving great success in our endeavour to locate and watch Otters. We have therefore put together this early-season package that will doubtless prove to be one of the top events of 2010.

On Lewis the eagles nest on low crags and may regularly be viewed virtually at eye level during their hunting forays over the low-lying peatlands. One eyrie is viewable from a public road where, from a discrete distance, we are able to enjoy full-frame images of perched birds through our scopes - a rare privilege indeed.

Timing of the event contrives to be in eagle country while the birds are courting, and before the females are incubating clutches of eggs. There are few sights more spectacular than that of a male eagle performing its 'roller-coastering' territorial display. In Harris we should also see White-tailed Eagles.

Coastal south-east Harris contains numerous craggy bays, several of which have on previous visits presented us with absolutely magical sessions of Otter watching. We can in fact claim a 100% success rate in this respect.

And what about other wildlife? Divers remain in large numbers, some already developing breeding plumage. A White-billed Diver sighting is a serious possibility - several birds having remained in the bays off West Lewis during late winter/early spring over the past few years. Glaucous or Iceland Gull may be expected, the expansive beaches of the west will abound in waders, while wintering sea ducks remain present offshore.

Itinerary

Day 1 Saturday: Morning rendezvous in Inverness followed by minibus journey to Uig on the Isle of Skye for the 15:50 ferry to Tarbert on Harris (1 hour 35 minutes).

Days 2 - 5 Sunday - Wednesday: Daily excursions with leisurely walks exploring all corners of the islands.

Day 6 Thursday: Midday we take the 13:50 ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool (2 hours 40 minutes). The tour finishes on arrival in Inverness at about 18:00, with transfers provided to accommodation or transport terminals.

Cost: £690...Includes: Accommodation, all meals plus packed lunches, all travel.

Deposit: £100

No Single Room Supplement