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A Highland Weekend getaway
With Birding Ecosse and The Grant Arms Hotel
Thursday 10 to Monday 14 April 2025
** Sorry this tour is now full **
Thursday – Arrival day
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Arriving on Tuesday afternoon settle into your room in the Stunning Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey, Home of the BWWC, before enjoying your exquisite evening meal in the beautiful dining room prior to perhaps a few nightcaps in the Hotels “Capercaillie” bar.
Be sure to get a good night’s sleep though as the tour starts early tomorrow morning!
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Friday
The West Coast
The stunning West Coast of Scotland.
Today we head over to the glorious West Coast of Scotland and some of the most beautiful scenery on mainland UK. Birding en-route we will be searching for Slavonian Grebes in full breeding plumage (viewed safely from a public viewing area)
Great Northern Diver Diver
Arriving on the West Coast we expect to see Red, Black and Great Northern Divers all in Stunning Breeding Plumage and very often close to shore, Red Breasted Mergansers and Goosanders loaf about on the water giving great comparisons. One coffee stop is a great location to spend in the company of Arctic and Common Terns at their colony, and using our fantastic Swarovski Scopes (we now have three for our victims to use) it is a brilliant location to get to grips with the subtle ID differences of these problematic birds. We should also expect to see breeding Ringed Plovers as they scurry along the sandy beach.
This area regularly turns up both White Tailed and Golden Eagle so always keep your eyes scanning the skies! And not forgetting 2019 when this splendid drake Blue Winged Teal decided to have an extended holiday at Aultbea, who knows he may make a return appearance and in 2023 as we sat having a coffee a full plumaged Red Necked Grebe was seen offshore.
Not forgetting the small stuff either! Here we stand a great chance of Twite, Northern Wheatear, Whinchat and Stonechat. Plus this is an excellent spot to see Otters playing around just off-shore! So all in all a great day out.
Accessibility: No accessibility issues on this tour.
Pick up 0800 – Drop off 1700
Saturday
Highland Birds
Next it is off to a beautiful classic Scottish Loch, complete with ruined castle, in search of Black Throated and Red Throated Divers, sadly these stunning birds are under immense pressure through unintentional disturbance from watersports enthusiasts, fishermen and of course the renowned Scottish weather but hopefully successive breeding seasons may secure this bird as a regular, here is hoping. (The birds will be safely viewed from public roads and viewing points)
Slavonian Grebe, viewed from the hotels very own bird hide.
Calling in at a local lochan we will check for the arrival of another specialty, that being the beautiful, colourful and charismatic Slavonian Grebe, before heading up to the high car parks on Cairngorm in search of the newly arrived Mountain Blackbird – The Ring Ouzel.
Male Ring Ouzel – April 2022
We finish the day in a what has to be one 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 the most productive sites in this part of Scotland to see these iconic birds, and the reason they are here? 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, Mountain Hare, Brown Hare, Feral Goats and Red squirrel are also often encountered.
A majestic Red Deer Stag
Great Birds, great Scenery and fantastic experiences it really is a day not to be missed.
Pick up 0800 – Drop off 1700
Sunday
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- RSPB Troup Head and the Moray Coast
The Stunning Troup Head Gannetry.
Today is one of my favourite outings on the Birding Ecosse itinerary. A trip with Skipper Harold aboard the “Seacat” out to Scotland’s only mainland Gannetry, Some 9000 birds call this rugged bit of cliff home, and it is not just Gannets! We will also be looking for Kittiwakes, Common and Black Guillemots, Razorbills and …….. Puffins! - RSPB Troup Head and the Moray Coast
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What else may we pickup? Well how about Bottle Nosed Dolphin, Common and Grey Seals and the off chance of a Minky Whale!
(Bad weather alternative if Seacat not sailing will be exploring the nooks, crannies and pretty fishing villages this area has to offer)
Pick up 0800 – Drop Off 1630
Monday
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Give yourself a treat! Enjoy a long lie before you head down for your last breakfast. Sit back and enjoy the memories of the past three full days birding in the glorious Scottish Highlands, and start planning your next trip North!
*** 4 Nights Full Board, 3 Days fully guided Birding Trips all for just £795 per person***
So what is included?:
4 nights Full board (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)
3 Full days Birding.
Boat trip to RSPB Troup Head
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 Hotel
Drinks at hotel
Personal insurance
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
Items of a personal nature
Interested? Then please feel free to contact Birding Ecosse for more information or to book your place.