Scottish Highlands

[Turkey Vulture]

Hello Folks !!!
It has been a while since I was here and I had forgotten how great this place was.
Can anyone help me with a proposed 1 weeks trip to the Scottish Highlands this spring/summer.
I know I should have done this years ago but one way or another it has just never happened.
I am of course well aware of the more obvious must see places like Loch Garten but wonder about the lesser known spots.
Is it practical to base oneself in one spot like Aviemore and plan each day from there or maybe split the week.
Not only would like to see those highland specialties but just to drink in those quiet lochs and mountains for their own sake and when exactly do those mosquitoes begin to bite?
Can anyone suggest an itinery for a first attempt. I know I cannot possibly begin to cover all that is possible in one hit but where do I start? Please help.

Thanks !!!

[Tim Allwood]

u could certainly stay in/around Aviemore for a week and enjoy it

lots and lots to do nearby...others will chip in - I don't have much time but here's a start:

Carn Ban Mor for Dotterel, Ptarmigan and Snow Bunts maybe

Loch Ruthven for Slav Grebes

Findhorn Valley for Golden Eagles

anywhere round Abernethy Forest particularly Forest Lodge for Crested Tits, Crossbill species and maybe Capers

Tulloch Mor for Black Grouse

Craigellachie crags in Aviemore for Peregrine

so many more places too........

[jeff]

u could certainly stay in/around Aviemore for a week and enjoy it

lots and lots to do nearby...others will chip in - I don't have much time but here's a start:

Carn Ban Mor for Dotterel, Ptarmigan and Snow Bunts maybe

Loch Ruthven for Slav Grebes

Findhorn Valley for Golden Eagles

anywhere round Abernethy Forest particularly Forest Lodge for Crested Tits, Crossbill species and maybe Capers

Tulloch Mor for Black Grouse

Craigellachie crags in Aviemore for Peregrine

so many more places too........

Being a birding novice, i quite liked Udale Bay (It's featured in the Feb edition of Birdwatching Magazine 'Where to Watch Birds'), this is where i seen my first Osprey. I had just joined the RSPB that year, so tried to visit the various RSPB (http://www.rspb.org.uk) sites like Loch Garten, Fairy Glenn, Udale Bay, Loch Ruthven, Insh Marshes to name but a few, but also did Findhorn Valley, Farr Road etc
I'm going back in June, so any sites mentioned will be most helpful to be as well :-)

[gordon hamlett]

As you head north up the A9, try Vane Farm RSPB (great reserve, shop, coffe, shop etc), Loch of the Lowes (signed from A9) for Ospreys, Killiecrankie National Trust for Wood Warblers etc.

Insh Marshes RSPB is great but difficult to work - best is a guided evening walk for birds, bats, moths etc.

Lochindorb (5miles north of Grantown) is also great towards dusk - grouse, divers, raptors

If you want remote lochs, any road into the middle of nowhere will do - you won't be disappointed

Black Isle for Kites and dolphins (Chanonry Point)

Loch Fleet for Ospreys and waders

Findhorn Bay and Spey Bay for Ospreys waders etc (best autumn through to spring for waders and sea ducks)

Try at least one long day out to the west coast. If you can manage it, Handa is magical for seabirds and skuas but any of the the circular drives - Applecross, Beinn Eighe, Inverpolly will take you through a good mix of habitats - mountain, moor, coast, lochs etc and are all scenically stunning.

Search Bird Forum for some of these places - there are plenty of other threads

Gordon

[Nick-on]

Personally I'd stay in Grantown or Boat of Garten rather than Aviemore, I did read a quotation (I forget by who) that "the best thing about aviemore is the new bypass, that way you don't have to see it all".
Splitting the week in two would be a good idea 3-4 days Cairngorm area and the rest on the west coast. Practically everywhere on the west coast is scenically superb but based in the Gairloch area you can get both eagles, Black T Diver (on Loch Maree) and loads of good seabirds (did see Bonapartes Gull there in 1990? but willing to accept that that was bl**dy lucky). Plus it's the only place I've ever seen Pine Marten. I'm planning to do 4 days Boat of Garten 4 days Mull but not until July, May/June is best but better late than never

[Alan Hobson]

Hi Turkey Vulture,

If you are staying at Aviemore, then Loch Morlich, east of Aviemore and on the way to Cairn Gorm, is very good for Red-throated Divers.

Cairn Gorm itself is another place (as well as the site Tim gave you) for Dotterel, Snow Bunting, Ptarmigan and Ring Ouzel.

Hope this helps,

Alan

[Marmot]

Hi Turkey Vulture,

If you look under the "Vocational Trip Reports" Forum and put "search" Scotland in it you get quite a few good reports by Moderators Ian & Digibirder with various locations and sightings.
My favorite place was Loch Morlich were I saw Crested Tits, Common Redstart, G.S. Woodpeckers ,Hooded Crows and numerous others.

[jpoyner]

Not sure when your visit is but the RSPB Caper watch from the Garten hide is highly recommended so long as you don't mind an early start. Perhaps check their website for exact dates, don't know them off the top of my head.
I agree about staying in Aviemore despite it's supposed make-over. Go for a nice B and B in one of the villages (Boat or Nethy bridge) with it all on your doorstep...great for an early morning walk in the forest.
Speyside does provide an excellent central base from which you can get to some fantastic sites within a few hours drive...thats why the two main tour companies are based there!

JP

[Turkey Vulture]

Thanks guys !!!
Lots of stuff to ponder over and get excited about.
I cannot wait now.
Happy Birding to all !!

TV