Canna and Corncrakes

This holiday takes us from Inverness to the beautiful island of Mull where we shall be searching out some of Mull’s best wildlife. We shall then take you to Iona where we shall stay overnight to really soak up the peace and tranquility of this magical island with chances of seeing and most definitely hearing the elusive Corncrake. Back on the mainland we visit remnants of Celtic Rainforest before staying in the fishing town of Mallaig from where we visit the seabird colonies of the Island of Canna and sail around remote Hebridean islands and less accessible sea lochs. We travel by minibus for most of the holiday and spend two days aboard a comfortable private chartered boat. Walking will be on easy terrain.

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Date Cost Availability Deposit Single Supp	27 May - 05 Jun 2024 £3695.00 3 Spaces £650.00 £600.00 Book Now

Leaders

Sally Nowell and Ailie Brown

Day 1	Meet up in Inverness for overnight stay. - 1 night Premier Inn
Days 2-4	Journey through stunning scenery, before catching the ferry to Mull - 3 nights at Isle of Mull Hotel
Day 5	Short ferry over to Iona to explore the island - 1 night St Columba Hotel, Iona
Day 6	Ferry back to the mainland following the coastline to the beautiful Ardnamurchan Peninsula, wildlife watching enroute - 3 nights West Highland Hotel, Mallaig
Days 7-8	Boat trips out to the fantastic island of Canna, plus Eigg, Rum, Skye and more
Day 9	Travel back to Inverness birding enroute - 1 night Premier Inn
Day 10	Depart after breakfast

Weather	Though usually quite dry, these islands can experience all the seasons during one trip and can be windy (5°-20°C)
Walking	Coastal walks on uneven terrain of up to three miles - walking boots recommended, but trainers or even sandals suitable on some occasions. Collapsible/telescopic walking poles could be useful for this trip
Boat Trips	Be prepared for all weathers on our boat trips. Waterproof clothes including gloves are recommended. As a precaution, you may wish to bring seasickness medication with you. Toilet onboard
Meals	All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10
Insects	Biting insects can be a problem at this time of year in certain conditions, so come prepared with insect repellant
Accom	Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite
Group	10

This is a great springtime holiday, which takes us to some of Scotland’s best wildlife-watching locations, at one of the best times of year.

	* We shall spend time along Britain’s best Otter-spotting coastlines
	* Visit some of the richest areas for eagles in the country
	* Spend a night on Iona listening and looking for Corncrake
	* Visit the remote island of Canna for seabird colonies
	* Explore hidden areas of Scotland only accessible by sea
	* Visit the Celtic rainforest looking for Wood Warblers and Redstart
	* Stay in comfortable hotels with great food and local produce

Day 1	After your journey to Inverness we shall meet at our hotel to hear about the week ahead and enjoy our first meal together.
Days 2-4	After breakfast we shall make our way to Oban where we catch the ferry to the beautiful wildlife-rich island of Mull, looking out for cetaceans as we cross. Over the next two days we shall spend time in the wild mountainous areas specifically looking for Golden and White-tailed Eagles, but of course hoping for Short-eared Owls and Hen Harrier that frequent the area. If we are lucky we might catch a glimpse of a Merlin flashing across the sky. We shall drive through some magnificent scenery lit up at this time of year with the fresh greens in the woodlands and on the hillsides. The rocky shores of the island are home to a variety of waders and we shall be bumping into Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Lapwing, Curlew and Ringed Plover all at the height of their breeding season. We shall also be looking for Red-throated and Great Northern Divers that frequent the calmer bays and sea lochs. Out to sea we can expect feeding Gannets and Kittiwakes. As we creep along the narrow roads beside the sea lochs our eyes will be on the look out for Otters. Mull has to be the best place in the UK to watch these wonderful mammals.
Day 5	Today is a time for a bit of relaxation. We shall be leaving our base on Mull and making our way to Iona, where we spend most of the day exploring the island on foot, in the hope of seeing and hearing the elusive Corncrake. With a bit of free time you may wish to visit the Abbey or simply visit one of the beautiful beaches on the island, home to Turnstones, Ringed Plover and it’s often a good place to see Eider Duck. Tonight we have a special treat and will be staying on Iona to really soak up the atmosphere of this tranquil and special place. At night the sound of the Corncrake echos around this stunning island, an experience not to be missed, so an evening walk is a must.
Day 6	We shall depart our hotel and make our way back across Mull and on to the mainland, but as is so often the case, our travel days involve lots of wildlife watching too. We cross the remote wilderness of the Morvern Peninsula and then return to the coastline once again watching for Otters and other sealife. Today we shall visit remnants of the spectacular Celtic rainforest. Ancient Oak trees that drip with mosses and lichens are a sight in themselves, but here we shall be in search of our colourful spring songsters, Redstart and Wood Warbler. A stunning drive takes us north to the Sound of Arisaig and finally we arrive at our hotel in the delightful fishing town of Mallaig, which shall be our base for the next three nights.
Days 7-8	Today we shall be going out to the fantastic island of Canna. This will be a fabulous trip to the remote soaring seacliffs, which at this time will be covered in noisy seabirds. 20,000 birds are known to breed here. We expect to see Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot and Shags on the cliffs and should catch sight of Arctic and Great Skua. On the water there is always a chance of Manx Shearwater or a Storm Petrel. Our comfortable private charter is the Orca III. We shall be looked after by her experienced crew as we head out on our seaward adventure. They know this area well and may find other interesting coves to explore enroute. It’s always good to be on the look out for cetaceans; Bottlenose Dolphin, Harbour Porpoise and Risso’s Dolphin are present year round and if we are lucky Minke Whales and Orca can also be seen. Today we shall again spend time onboard Orca III. Days on the boat give us a great opportunity to get to inaccessible areas and to see some breathtaking views of Scotland, as well as increasing our chances of seeing cetaceans. We may cruise around Eigg, Rum and Skye, or visit some of the sheltered inland sealochs, looking for local wildlife such as White-tailed and Golden Eagle. From the sea we have access to areas that are more remote and seldom visited and can get spectacular and unexpected views of the local wildlife.
Day 9	We shall leave the west coast today and make our way back to Inverness where our adventure sadly ends. Despite the fact that this is a travelling day there is more spectacular wildlife watching to be had along our route. We go back up the Caledonian Canal and then take a quieter route stopping at RSPB Loch Ruthven looking for magnificent Slavonian Grebe. Arriving in Inverness, if time allows, we shall take a walk along the canal looking for Kingfisher before our final meal together.
Day 10	After breakfast we shall say our goodbyes and depart Inverness.

Just some of what we hope to see..

White-tailed Eagle	Eider Duck	Arctic Skua
Golden Eagle	Razorbill	Harbour Porpoise
Hen Harrier	Gulliemot	Bottlenose Dolphin
Peregrine	Gannet	Common Seal
Short-eared Owl	Raven	Grey Seal
Great Northern Diver	Wood Warbler	Otter
Storm Petrel	Redstart	Red Deer
Manx Shearwater	Pied Flycatcher	Red Squirrel
Slavonian Grebe	Great Skua

"Boat trip round Eigg and Rhum. Visit to Canna. Otter viewing at Loch Beg. While-tailed and Golden Eagles. Iona Abbey. Corncrake walk on Iona. Calgary bay. Drive around Loch Morar. Walk at Loch Spelvie"
Heather James

"Boat trips and being surrounded by Puffins, fantastic views of huge dog Otter finally! White-tailed eagles, manx shearwaters"
Lynne & John Tidmarsh

"Spending time on the island of Iona .... we've been a few times before, but have never had the opportunity to stay overnight. It's a wonderful place"
David & Gillian Smith

"Iona and staying overnight on island, Boat trip to Canna. Pretty much everything really!"
Gaye Henson

"Holiday highlights for me 1. Seeing Puffins and an Otter! 2. Spending time on beautiful Iona 3. Learning about British birds 4. Camaraderie of the group"
Rachael Ford

With its guarantee of a good night’s sleep, a reputation for excellent customer service and a good restaurant, the Premier Inn is the ideal place to spend our first and last evening. Located at the edge of Torvean Golf Course, this contemporary hotel is a 1-minute walk from the Caledonian Canal. In-room amenities feature free WiFi, pillow-top mattresses and en suite bathrooms with showers, as well as tea and coffee-making facilities, TVs and desks.

Large hotel situated on the crescent Craignure Bay. In a convenient location for the ferry terminal, the hotel is situated in the perfect place; central while still giving you the feeling of being a million miles away from it all. With panoramic sea views, extensive spa facilities and Sheallach-Na-Mara restaurant

Originally built as a manse, the hotel stands next to the world famous Iona Abbey and ancient Reilig Òdhrain. Enjoy the unfolding views and otherworldly sunrises from our lounge, relax beside our roaring fire, or walk off lunch amidst the unspoilt landscape that surrounds you.
Comfortable, en suite rooms with tea and coffee making facilities, delicious complimentary shortbread, a hairdryer and Scottish Fine Soap toiletries

Set on an elevated position overlooking the Sound of Sleat, the West Highland Hotel offers a fabulous terrace restaurant with quality local produce, wood burning stove, panoramic views and an outside seating area with a fire pit. Overlooking the village, this hotel offers en suite rooms with Freeview TVs, tea and coffee making facilites and hairdryers.

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