March 24 – 30 Sat - Fri
Group Size: 9
Starting Point: Inverness
Based: Kintail 3 nights, Carloway on Lewis 3 nights
Walking: Easy to moderate
Description: Few Hebridean islands are able to offer the diversity of wildlife as that found on Skye - generally regarded as the most scenic in Scotland. Skye is a place of tranquility, breathtaking vistas and romantic historic associations. It accommodates the highest breeding density of Golden Eagles in Europe, and White-tailed Eagles include the most successful breeding pair in Scotland. Eagles remain on the agenda throughout the tour.
Located at the edge of the Atlantic the Isle of Lewis is a wild outpost that regularly lures in vagrant birds from the high Arctic. During the previous two seasons we enjoyed prolonged views of a Snowy Owl and, in 2011, a superb Gyr Falcon hunting Kittiwakes.
Otters, one of our favourite and most endearing mammals, are numerous - our familiarity with the best haunts provide excellent chances of sightings (we discretely visit a holt).
Great Northern, Black-throated and Red-throated Divers, Common Scoter, Greenshank and Ring Ouzel, plus cetaceans and seabirds, are other items we should see.
Wester Ross is the mainland region east of Skye, a largely mountainous area featuring the wild haunts of the Applecross Peninsula, Torridon and Ben Eighe. Loch Maree contains the greatest number of breeding Black-throated Divers in Scotland and, above Loch Kishorn, Ptarmigan present themselves at unbelievably close range.
Itinerary
Day 1 Saturday: Morning rendezvous in Inverness followed by journey to Kintail wildlife-watching en route.
Days 2 & 3 Sunday & Monday: Daily excursions featuring easy walks for the most part. Occasionally we may wander off-the-beaten track.
Days 4 - 6 Tuesday - Thursday: Evening ferry to Harris (1 hr. 40 mins.), transfer to West Lewis. Excursions around Lewis.
Day 7 Friday: Midday ferry to Ullapool from Stornoway (2hrs. 45 mins.), transfer to Inverness where the tour terminates at transport terminals or accommodation.
Cost: £825...Includes: Accommodation; all meals plus packed lunches; all travel.
Deposit: £100
No Single Room Supplement: £45
