Day 1 | Arrive in the Cairngorms
7 nights at the Steading |
Days 2-7 | Wildlife and birdwatching exploration
including the Cairngorms, the Moray
Firth, Dava Moor and Abernethy Forest |
Day 8 | Depart after breakfast |
Leaders | John Grierson plus one from
our Speyside Team |
Walking | Most walks are 1-2 miles on wide sandy
tracks, although there is the possibility
of a forest walk of up to 4 miles |
Weather | Varies from cold to warm and sunny
(8°-20°C), with less rainfall than much
of Scotland, but snow possible
in the mountains |
Insects | Biting midges can be a nuisance
so bring repellent |
Meals | All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8. |
Accom | Double (ensuite), twin (ensuite) and single (ensuite and non ensuite) |
New to wildlife watching? Why not improve your skills,
with hints and tips from guides who love to help you learn
- and see some great birds and mammals of the Cairngorms.48uep6bbph|00000E4E|Spey_BESQL3|HolidayTypes|Subheading 48uep6bbphidval|BEGINNERS
| * Pick up useful identification tips from our expert guides
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| * Local specialities - Crested Tit, Scottish Crossbill and Osprey
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| * Coastal visit for terns, gulls and eclipse plumage ducks
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| * Divers and grebes
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| * Learn to identify species using bird calls
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| * An evening for Pine Martens and Badgers too
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| * Come by train or plane with station/airport pickups
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Day 1 | Dinner together on Saturday evening starts the holiday
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Days 2-7 | Specially created to help you gain confidence in identifying birds, this is a week to ask as many questions as you like, no matter how simple you think they may sound.
We love helping you learn and whether it is a bird call you don’t recognise, a raptor high overhead,
or the fine art of telling a Meadow Pipit from
a Tree Pipit we can help!
We’ll tailor the week to what you need, but also find exciting new birds for you, so while picking out the difference between Great Tit and Coal Tit calls, we’ll show you Crested Tit as well!
Raptors can cause great confusion, so grab this opportunity to become familiar with them
- with young on the wing they are at their most numerous. Learn to tell that distant Golden Eagle from a Buzzard (well most of the time!), tell
a Sparrowhawk from a Kestrel and we’ll hope to find Peregrine, Hen Harrier and Merlin, all of which become easier with experience.
The most difficult bird of all is the crossbill, with three species possible - even the experts can’t always be sure which is which!
The meandering River Spey and its rushing tributaries hold Dipper and Grey Wagtail, while abundant Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing and Oystercatcher call to their young. It’s a great mix of exciting birds in beautiful glens, forests and moorland scenery. We’ll see Red-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe on the coast and learn to identify Sandwich, Little and the more difficult Common and Arctic Tern. If you are really keen, we can do the gulls too! Ospreys fish in the surf here and ducks are challenging, with the males
in ‘eclipse’ plumage.
We’ll also seek out the different species of deer and hare that can be seen and on one evening we’ll visit our hide and look for Pine Marten and Badger - perhaps the best view you’ll ever have.
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Day 8 | After breakfast on Saturday we say our farewells.
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Just some of what we hope to see..
Red-throated Diver | Red Grouse | Parrot Crossbill |
Black-throated Diver | Sandwich Tern | Siskin |
Slavonian Grebe | Arctic Tern | Redpoll |
Golden Eagle | Common Tern | Red Squirrel |
Osprey | Dipper | Pine Marten |
Merlin | Ring Ouzel | Badger |
Peregrine | Crested Tit | Red Deer |
Hen Harrier | Scottish Crossbill | Roe Deer |
You only have to arrive at our beautifully converted Steading at Ballintean and you’ll know you’ve come to the right place. Few roads reach into the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park, but the one to Ballintean in stunning Glen Feshie – known as ‘the jewel of the Cairngorms’ – takes you into its very heart. Our 120 acres are flanked by pine forest, with the sweeping slopes of the Cairngorms rising up before you, just across the tumbling waters of the clear, rushing River Feshie.
Astonishing wildlife begins right outside the door and you can wander wherever you like. Crested Tit, Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, Dipper and Grey Wagtail can be seen, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and, regularly, Golden Eagle fly over. We have our very own forest hide and Osprey nest. Scottish Crossbill, Redstart and Red Squirrel are in our woods, Pine Marten visit our baited sites and Otter lurk along the river. It’s no wonder we hardly want to leave home each day.
It was designed with our holidays completely in mind and you’ll enjoy all the facilities of a small country hotel, simple elegant ensuite rooms, beautiful furnishings and a warm welcome that will linger with you long after you’ve returned home. It’s completely informal, but with all that you might need and the personal attention of all of us as hosts. There’s every chance to really unwind and it’s all yours for the week.
Each bedroom combines simplicity with individual character, comfort and crisp modern facilities. Windows enjoy every aspect of the glorious views, allowing sunlight to glance along timber beams and the wooden floors of the huge split-level lounge and natural history library.
Our ‘piece de resistance’ is the dining room’s magnificent table that we all eat around. It helps to create the relaxed informality that our holidays are renowned for and it’s a chance for us all to enjoy delicious meals prepared
by our talented duo of chefs.
Mealtimes are something we take very seriously and, with a choice at dinner every night from a menu that uses the finest Highland produce, you’ll enjoy a real taste of Scotland amidst bistro-like surroundings. Our breakfast choice is imaginative and substantial, we can cater for a wide variety of dietary needs, and our carefully prepared choice of packed lunch each day includes home-bakes, fruit and hot drinks. All presented with a smile and attention to detail.
Our Steading is always a holiday highlight for our guests – we know you’ll love it
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