A Highland weekend getaway with Birding Ecosse and the Grant Arms Hotel
Thursday 02 to Monday 06 September 2027
**** 4 Spaces Available ****
And
Thursday 09 to Monday 13 September 2027
**** 4 Spaces Available ****
The magnificent Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey
Join Birding Ecosse for a long weekend at the luxurious Grant Arms Hotel situated in Grantown on Spey, deep in the Scottish Highlands
Thursday
Arriving on Thursday afternoon why not treat yourself to a couple of “local brews” in the hotels stunning Capercaillie bar, prior to you enjoying your evening meal in the beautiful dining room.
Friday
All aboard!
An exciting day ahead as we head over to Ullapool to catch the Ferry across to Stornoway. Witness pelagic birds close up, Manx and Sooty Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Skuas and Divers, Puffins and Black Guillemots are all up for grabs. (Please note we do not spend time in Stornoway, it is purely a pelagic trip)
Immature Arctic Skua
Culinary highlight of the trip? A fantastic special hot chocolate with whipped cream whilst watching seabirds!
Target Birds for today: Manx and Sooty Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Great, Arctic and Pomarine Skua, Puffin.
(Bad weather: Very occasionally the ferry may cancel or run late due to weather or operational purposes, in these few instances we will operate a land based sea watch at a location suitable at that time)
Accessibility: No accessibility issues on this tour.
Sooty Shearwater – one of a single flock of 400 birds!
Pick up 07:30 – Drop off around 19:00
Saturday
Highland Birds
This is a “must do” trip when you visit the Highland of Scotland! The day starts off with a visit to a traditional Black Grouse Lek, and at the same time the “Go Back Go Back Go Back” calls of its Red Cousin fill the air.
We then head to some of the most beautiful valleys in Scotland, and it is here we will search for two of the “Big Ones” they are White Tailed and Golden Eagles. This area is probably one of the most productive sites in this part of Scotland to see these iconic birds, and the reason they are here? Other birds that we may encounter, Crossbill, Peregrine, Red Kite and Common Buzzard.
Crossbill
Herds of Red Deer roam the hillside, Britain largest land mammal is very common as its it smaller relative the Roe Deer, we may even stumble across the secretive Sika deer. White Mountain Hare, Brown Hare, Feral Goats and Red squirrel are also often encountered and provide lots of food for the above raptors.
Sika Deer
Great Birds, great Scenery and fantastic experiences it really is a day not to be missed.
Accessibility: No accessibility issues on this tour.
Pick up 0800 – Drop off 1630
Sunday
The Beautiful Moray Coast
From tidal estuaries, fresh water lochs, farmland, open sea and coastal Dunes bristling with migrant enticing bushes this is a brilliant day for turning up the unexpected!
This area of coast is a migrant friendly environment, who knows what we may turn up! And not forgetting our bread and butter birds at this time of the year, Arctic and Great Skua are frequently seen just offshore harassing the local Kittiwakes, Common and Velvet Scoters are beginning to arrive back after their summer holidays in the far North and the Handsome Male Common Eiders are just fresh in the new plumage.
The menacing Arctic Skua – Pirates of the Skies.
Pick up 0800 – Drop off 1630
Accessibility: Todays tour may involve a walk of around 1 mile on a rocky and uneven path.
*** 4 Nights Full Board, 3 Days fully guided Birding Trips all for just £880 per person***
So what is included?
4 nights Full board at the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey.
3 Full days Birding.
Delicious packed Lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tea/Coffee morning and afternoon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
All transport on outings
All guiding fees.
Use of binoculars if required.
Complimentary Checklist.
What’s not included:
Transport to and from the Grant Arms Hotel
Drinks at hotel
Personal insurance
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
Items of a personal nature
