July 26 - August 1 Sat - Fri
Group Size: 10
Starting Point: Inverness
Based: Strontian - 4 nights, Mallaig - 2 nights
Walking: Easy to Moderate
Description :
If you like to explore off-the-beaten-track locations, seek the more intimate brand of contact with nature, and are happy to occasionally follow paths made by deer - or where there are no paths at all - then this could be just the tour for you. Although not a hiking trip involving route marches, some walks will last for much of the day - albeit at an easy pace and with lots of stops to look at wildlife and enjoy the scenery. We shall inevitably see lots of good birds, mammals, butterflies and wild flowers.
In the hills there will be frequent encounters with Red Deer, views of Golden Eagles and every possibility of a Ring Ouzel. Golden Plovers, Merlins, Cuckoos, Wheatears and Twites are also regularly sighted on high ground.
In coastal areas we shall almost certainly meet with Otters, and in woodland see the full range of small passerine birds. It would come as no great surprise to meet a Pine Marten and, on one evening we watch martens at a baited site.
We don't anticipate many encounters with other people! Participants need to be basically fit and reasonably sure footed.
Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 Sat & Sun...09.00 Departure:
From Inverness we head down the Great Glen to Ardgour (via the Corran ferry), stopping at locations along the way to look at Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Osprey, Dipper and other wildlife. Any walks today will be fairly short. Strontian is reached late afternoon.
From Strontian we set off through pinewood where birds include Wood Warbler and Common Crossbill. Ascending through ancient oakwood the open hill is eventually reached - haunt of Red Deer, Golden Eagle and Raven. The track terminates on reaching derelict mine workings (c. 950 ft.), from which the rare metal 'strontium' (named after the location) was first discovered. Scoth Argus and Speckled Wood butterflies are seen along the lower stretch of the walk. Length of walk about eight miles.
Days 3 & 4 Mon & Tue:
After visits to key locations along Loch Siskin and Lesser Redpoll are seen, and Golden Eagles may show above flanking horizons. Length of walk about four miles.
A day on Skye is spent walking out to Point of Sleat, a location affording wonderful views across to Rum and the Small Isles. These are cetacean waters, where we scan the sea for Minke Whales and Basking Sharks. Manx Shearwater, Gannet and Great Skua are among seabirds seen. Length of walk about eight miles.
Days 5 & 6 Wed & Thu:
Returning to Strontian via Lochailort we reach Kinlochmoidart and walk into Glen Moidart. The opening stretch follows a tree-lined river where Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Common Sandpiper often show, eventually emerging in open country - a favourite haunt of Peregrine and Merlin. Length of walk about five miles.
A one-way walk across the hill from our hotel crosses the 1000 ft. contour before descending to Loch Doilet by Polloch where our minibus is parked. This is very much the realm of Golden Eagle and Red Deer, the views across surrounding glens and neighbouring peaks being quite breathtaking. Length of walk about six miles.
Day 7 Fri:
From the head of Lochaline we take the easy coastal walk round to Ardtornish Castle in the Sound of Mull. We can expect to see lots of good birds including Red-throated Diver, White-tailed Eagle, Black Guillemot and possibly Arctic Skua. This stretch of coastline is particularly good for Otters. Length of walk about four miles.
The tour finishes late afternoon on arrival in Inverness, with transfers provided to transport terminals or accommodation.
Cost: £690...includes:
Six nights dinner, b&b in twin rooms en suite; lunches; all excursions including transfers to and from transport terminals/accommodation.