May 2026 – Weekend

A Highland Weekend getaway

With Birding Ecosse and The Grant Arms Hotel

 Thursday 21 to Monday 25 May 2026

   *** 4 Spaces available ***  

 Thursday – Arrival day

Arriving on Thursday afternoon settle into your room in the Stunning Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey, 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!

Friday

RSPB Troup Head 

The ever popular Puffin
Today is one of my favourite outings of the Birding Ecosse itinerary. A trip on the “Seacat” out to Scotland’s largest mainland Gannetry. Some 2000 birds call this rugged bit of Cliff home, and it is not just Gannets, Kittiwakes, Common Guillemot (some showing the Bridled form) Black Guillemot, Razorbills and….. Puffins all jostle for nesting ledges!
A beautiful back lit Gannet

The rest of the day is spent exploring this beautiful part of the coastline, Bowfiddle Rock, Portgordon, the list goes on and each village has it owns unique atmosphere and characteristics.

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)

Accessibility: Todays tour does involve descending and ascending a short set of steps to access the boat.

Pick up 0800 – Drop Off 1700

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.

Red Grouse

Next it is off to a beautiful classic Scottish Loch, complete with ruined castle in search of Black Throated and Red Throated Divers, 2018 was the first successful season in four years and it was a great feeling to see these two birds finally get off some young, hopefully securing the breeding in this area.

Calling in at the hotels very own superb hide we will check for the arrival of another speciality, that being the beautiful, colourful and charismatic Slavonian Grebe, before heading South to a hide with the definite “Wow” factor, this is one of the few remaining sites where we might, if we are lucky see Hen Harrier.  Being surrounded by grouse moors they are a v very scarce birdy up here.

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.

Great Birds, great Scenery and fantastic experiences it really is a day not to be missed. 

Pick up 0800 – Drop off 1700

Sunday

 RSPB Loch of Strathbeg

Today we head off to one of the flagship RSPB reserves in Scotland, RSPB Loch Of Strathbeg, hotspot at this time of year for migrants big and small! Yellow Browed Warblers, various waders up to Cranes and White Storks! All have been recorded at Strathbeg. Add to that the resident Wader, Swans, Ducks, Tree Sparrows and Marsh Harriers it really is a great day out (plus we get to use some bird hides, quite a rarity up here!) In 2021 we managed to get Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Greenshank, Redshank, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers and a Grey plover all in the same view of the scope! Amazing birding experience.

Accessibility: Todays tour may involve a walk of around 1 1/2 miles on good gravel paths with a small incline towards the lower hides.


The view from the main hide.

Heading to Fen Hide – Chances of Bittern?

Pick up 0800 – Drop Off 1700

***All for just £880 per person***

So what is included?:

4 nights Full board (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)

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:

Travel to/from 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.