September 27- October 3 Sat - Fri
Group Size: 8
Starting Point: Inverness
Based: Loch Kylesku - 3 nights, Helmsdale - 3 nights
Walking: Easy
The first part of this tour explores the expansive wild haunts of the north-west Highlands, ranging from Ullapool in the south to Durness in the north. Sutherland's landmark peaks such as Stac Pollaidh, Cul Mor, Suilven, Canisp and Quinag manifest with magnetic appeal.
Day to day land and sea vistas continually stir one's senses; Golden Eagles surface above mountain ridges and Otters fish the shallows of coastal bays. Black-throated Divers gather offshore, sometimes numbering 30 or more birds.
The tundra-like flow country of Sutherland and Caithness is a virtual wilderness - one of the most sparsely populated regions of the UK. Although summer breeding birds have departed, the glens have come to life with the sound of rutting Red Deer. This is excellent country for sightings of Merlins and Hen Harriers.
Migrant waders are on the move and the first migrant geese are arriving. From protruding headlands there is chance of cetacean sightings - Minke Whales or dolphins. Seabird passage includes Sooty Shearwaters and skuas, and we have a reliable site for Little Gulls.
This is a fabulous time of year to visit the Northern Highlands, offering a taste of autumn and seasonal 'swan song' of wildlife activity - reflected in the Red Deer rut and bird migration.
Itinerary
Day 1 Sat...09:00 Rendezvous:
Leaving Inverness Common Buzzard and Red Kite will likely show as we cross the Black Isle en route to Ullapool. Lochs are checked for divers, Goosander and other waterfowl, while stops by burns may produce Common Sandpiper, Dipper and Grey Wagtail. Late afternoon we reach our base at Kylesku.
Days 2 & 3 Sun & Mon:Journeying through striking landscape from Achiltibuie to Loch Assynt a first Golden Eagle should appear, with excellent chance of an Otter. Natural broadleaf woodlands contain Siskin and Lesser Redpoll; Wheatear, Stonechat and Twite show in open country, with Snipe on bogs.
To the north we visit Faraid Head, an excellent promontory from which seabirds are watched: Manx and Sooty Shearwaters; Great and Arctic Skuas, plus Gannets, Kittiwakes and auks. Subject to a calm sea surface we may also spot cetaceans.
Days 4 – 6 Tue - Thu:
Transfer to our next base takes us north around Loch Eriboll where we may expect further encounters with Golden Eagle and Merlin. Crossing the remote and unpopulated heartland of Sutherland we pass Altnaharra en route to Helmsdale, reaching the splendid location of our next hotel early evening. This is a long journey passing through environments of the wildest nature Britain has to offer, producing a rare brand of scenic experience. We shall stop for short walks to look and listen for wildlife, the rutting of Red Deer being a dominant sound.
Forsinard is visited for the experience of 'flow country', a tundra-like environment peculiar to northern Scotland.
The harbours of East Sutherland and Caithness produce Black Guillemots, Rock Doves, Rock Pipits and seals. Turnstones and Knots congregate on nearshore skerries, numbers of visiting Wigeon and Greylag Geese increase by the day, and the first Redwings and Fieldfares appear on the scene. Little Gulls are a speciality regularly seen at one location.
Day 7 Fri:
Loch Fleet and Tarbat Ness are visited during our travels south. Fishing Gannets, fields full of Golden Plovers and the first Whooper Swans of the tour are among the concluding experiences.
The tour terminates on arrival in Inverness (about 16:00), with transfers provided to transport terminals or accommodation.
Cost: £820...includes:
six nights dinner, b&b in twin rooms en suite; lunches; excursions; transfers to and from transport terminals/accommodation.