Category Archives: Nature tourism in Scotland

Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK, Sea mammals of Britain

Whale and dolphin conservation holiday in Scotland

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Get involved directly with whale and dolphin research by visiting some of the remotest islands in the Hebrides on this great conservation holiday: witness some of the most breath-taking scenery, gain sailing skills and contribute to the protection the marine environment – all in one trip!

Regular visitors include minke whales, common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins plus the occasional ‘rare species’ while our resident populations of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises are sure to delight. As part of the field team onboard our research vessel, Silurian, you will be helping us to produce the data sets that our science department will use in logistical analysis in the winter months.

All in all, a very exciting and worthwhile way of spending nine days.

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Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK, Scotland

Whale watching trips in the Isle of Mull

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The Isle of Mull is one of the best bases for watching whales and dolphins in Britain.

These people offer excellent short whale watching breaks:

This popular weekend break gives you two days on the boat exploring the islands (Eigg, Muck, Coll, Tiree, Staffa, all with their own character and charm). You will sail through the whale and dolphin grounds and land on islands with colonies of puffins, razorbills, gannets, shearwaters, and otters…The people who run these trips carry out marine research and they work closely with local charity the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust

One client wrote:

The most memorable part of the holiday was the surveys trip … seeing Minke whales and basking sharks on such a beautiful day – I will remember this for many years to come. We even moored on a tiny island close to Coll and Tiree – it was like being on a Pacific atoll … seals swimming, white sand, clear blue sea – just perfect. More

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Kayaking in Britain, Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities

Sea kayaking in the Outer Hebrides

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Spend 5 days exploring on this fun and adventurous sea kayaking holiday in the wild coasts of the Outer Hebrides. You’ll access uninhabited islands such as Taransay (setting for the BBC series ‘Castaway’), discover vast empty beaches of Lewis explore sandy beaches, headlands, uninhabited islands. This is simple some of the best sea kayaking anywhere in the world.

Great opportunities to see many birds, seals, porpoises, dolphins and whales. Camp on remote beaches. Some previous experience of sea kayaking is needed for this trip though beginner and intermediate trips are also in the available.

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Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK, Orkney Islands, Scotland, Sea mammals of Britain

Lighthouse holiday in the Orkneys

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In a stark remote landscape, you can stay next to the Cantick Head Lighthouse on the island of Hoy in two self-catering lighthouse keepers’ cottages (All Grade B listed buildings, designed by the Stevenson brothers).  They overlook the Cantick Sound where porpoises, seals and whales are regular visitors.  Cantick head Lighthouse Cottages

Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK

Cruises around the Western Isles

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Cruises on board a gaff cutter to St Kilda, the Orkneys, the Shetlands and North Rona, as well as the Hebrides, as well as the Hebrides. Boarding usually at Mallaig. See a wide variety of wildlife at close quarters, from whales (Sperm, Killer, Northern Bottlenose and Sei whales. and of course Minke), dolphins and basking sharks to red deer, eagles and otters. If you would like to find out more about what we see, take our Hebridean wildlife tour.

Island Cruising in The Hebrides: cruise to remote Islands around the Hebrides. We specialise in trips to St Kilda and some of the following Islands en route, Scarp, Taransay, Monach Isles and the Flannan Isles. The trips are either of 4 days or 6 days duration and the itinerary is worked out as we go along. North Rona, Sula Sgeir and the Shiant Isles can also be visited, as can Mingulay and the Southern Isles.

Isle of Skye, Mountain biking in Britain, Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities

Mountain biking in Skye

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This article reminds us here that thanks to Scotland’s open access laws you can mountain bike on the Isle of Skye just about whereever you feel like it. If you can put up with the wind, the terrain and the vastness of its scale. The Guardian

If you don’t fancy going it alone try Bespoke mountain bike tours of Skye by Highlands and Islands Adventures. Price for a long weekend is £300 per person.

Books about the Isle of Skye

Collins Rambler’s Guide – Isle of Skye

Produced in association with the Ramblers, this walking guide covers the beautiful Isle of Skye and combines detailed route descriptions with information on the local history and wildlife.

This famous corner of the Scottish Highlands and Islands is home to a spectacular variety of mountain landscapes and dramatic coastlines. There is also a wealth of fascinating places to explore: caves and sea stacks, headlands and arches, waterfalls and castles.

The introduction gives information about the topography, geology and history of the area, and describes the flora and fauna inhabiting it.

Isle of Skye: 40 Coast and Country Walks (Pocket Mountains)

An excellent little walking guide, especially for those – like me – wanting to explore as many parts of the Isle of Skye as possible in a visit. Arranged roughly by ‘peninsular’, there are walks ranging from 45 minutes to a few hours, even a day. We did at least one from each section and they were all straightforward and, of course, beautiful!
Kayaking in Britain, Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities

Kayaking in the Shetlands

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Explore the stunning coastline of the Shetlands, with its sheltered coves, sea cliffs, remote islands, clear waters and abundant wildlife from a sea kayak. Trips are accompanied by a fully qualified local leader. Kayaking gives you access to remote parts of Shetland’s spectacular coastline and is also one of the best ways to see Shetland’s wildlife with great viewing of seals, otters, puffins and guillemots.

Badgers in Britain, Mammals of Britain, Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK, Scotland, The Highlands

Watching pine martens

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The Aigas Field Centre in Scotland offer you the chance watch wild Pine Martens and Badgers from their own specially-built hide. It was originally built to watch Badgers, which still visit the feeding station every night, but the Martens also took a liking to the spot, and are a regular visitor.The people who run it say “We encourage the mammals to visit by putting out a small amount of peanuts and a tablespoon of jam. The food is merely to entice them in – by no means do we sustain them or interfere with their territoriality.” They claim that the success rate for seeing Pine Martens during each 2 hour hide visit is a remarkable 95%, all through the year. They also promise prolonged views of feeding and playing Martens at distance of between 6 and 30 feet. The field centre looks a great place to stay offering “Wildlife, Birdwatching, History & Nature Holidays in the Highlands of Scotland”. More on this soon.
Visit the Aigas Pine Marten and Badger hide