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Days out in the Cairngorms and Beyond

The Scottish Highlands is home to some iconic wildlife species but finding them can be a real challenge. Whether you are part of a family group wanting to see a broad range of Highland wildlife, or a keen birder looking for a specific and elusive species, our wildlife guides will guide you to the best locations using their expert knowledge. So, whether it’s Dotterel and Ptarmigan on the high tops and Crested Tits in the forests, or maybe Otter and Dolphin on the shoreline, tell us what you’d like to see and we can help you to achieve your wildlife watching ambitions.

To check guide availability, please click on the ‘Book Now’ button below and take a look at the calendar. This shows which days we can offer you a guided experience. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to email us.


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IncludedWildlife guide on an exclusive basis for you and up to 6 friends or family members. Transport for the day in a comfortable 8-seater minibus or car and we shall pick you up from your accomodation within Badenoch and Strathspey. If you are staying outwith the area, the distances from a meeting location by car, are as follows;

Inverness is approx 40 minutes
Perth is approx 2 hours
Aberdeen is approx 2 hours and 30 mins
Edinburgh is approx 3 hours

LeadersWe match your specific day guiding needs to the skills of our guides, to ensure you have the best day out possible. We therefore have a pool of guides that we use, each with specific knowledge and interests. You can book a standard day – 9am-5pm – or an extended day. Extended days can start early or finish late, depending on the species you would like to see. The full details on the itinerary tab tell you which days out work best as extended days. Your guide will suggest the best start time. It will be dependent on the time of year and the main species you would like to look for.

LogisiticsPlease provide a mobile phone number on the booking form, so that your guide can get in contact with you two or three days before your due day out, to ensure all details in place. For extended days booked, this will include a suggestion of the best start time. You guide will provide tea and coffee but please ensure you have your own picnic lunch for the day. Please bring your own binoculars and telescope if you have one. Attached to your booking confirmation will be a ‘what to bring’ document, giving you handy hints of clothing etc., to make your day out more comfortable.

HygieneOur guide will be carrying hand sanitiser and disinfectant spray to be used if and when they see fit in any circumstance.

Cost£225 Standard day if booked online / £275 if booked manually via office. Max 8 hours
£295 Extended day if booked online / £350 if booked manually via office. Max 10 hours

Actual start time to be agreed between you and your guide (either day out includes transport for you and up to 6 companions).

WalkingMost walks will be on wide sandy tracks, except in the Cairngorms, where terrain is more steep and uneven, so walking boots are essential. Your guide will discuss walking options with you beforehand.

PhotographyAll the photographs used on our website have been taken by guests and guides and demonstrate the images that can be possible during holidays and days out. As photographers know however, days out purely for photography require a completely different approach to being out birdwatching and we’ll always put birdwatching first. That’s what our guides are skilful at, they aren’t professional photography guides, but we can take you to places which we know are frequented by certain species. We do have a specific unguided photographic hide for Badgers, with room for 1-2 people, which is available to be booked on an exclusive basis, but we don’t routinely use ‘hides’ during our Guided Days Out and therefore photographers may find that the wildlife is not as close as they’d like.

AccessAs part of our suggested itineraries, we offer an 'All Abilities Cairngorms National Park'. This tailored day will ensure where possible, that everyone in your group can experience the scenery and wildlife that our National Park has to offer. In addition, for a small extra charge, we can provide all-terrain wheelchairs for adults and children alike, so opening up even more of our National Park to those who need that extra bit of help to get around.

WeatherWeather varies from cold to warm and sunny (-5° to +25°C), with less rainfall than much of Scotland but snow possible in the mountains.

InsectsBiting midges occur in some places during the summer.

OptionsAll Abilities Cairngorms National Park - We’ll tailor the day so you can experience the best that our National Park has to offer
Our Cairngorms National Park – our most popular day out and allows great flexibility as to where you go
Summer Wildflowers in the Cairngorms - the Cairngorms is host to a variety of special species. Only available mid-Jun to mid-Jul.
Pine Forest – best in spring and autumn – autumn is a good time to look for Capercaillie
Cairngorm Mountains – works well in the summer but requires a degree of fitness, as walking will be on mountain tracks
Moorland and Moray Firth – good for raptors and moorland grouse species in the summer and seaduck over the winter
Highland Glen – good in summer and autumn when raptors and their young are on the wing
Woodland Walks – can be tailored easily for half days
River Spey Walk – can also be tailored easily for half days
Loch Fleet - seals all year, Osprey and terns in spring and summer with waders, wildfowl and dune flowers in autumn and winter
Black Isle - one of best places in UK to see Bottlenose Dolphins but fabulous birding too especially in the autumn and winter