| Leaders | Kate Mennie |
| Days 1-2 | Meet in Glasgow and make our way
to our base for one night at Kilchrennan. Travel to Oban to catch
the ferry to Mull
1 night at the Taychreggan Hotel |
| Days 3-6 | Birdwatching and wildlife exploration of
Mull, including a visit to the White-tail Gin
distillery and the Mull Cheese Factory
5 nights at the Isle of Mull Hotel |
| Days 7-8 | Catch the ferry to Lochaline and make
our way back to our hotel travelling to Glasgow the following morning
1 night at the Gleddoch Hotel |
| Weather | The weather can be mixed, so
expect sun and showers, with
temperatures in the range
of 3-18ºC |
| Walking | Coastal walks on uneven terrain
of 1-4 miles. Walking boots
recommended. Collapsible/
telescopic walking poles could
be useful for this trip |
| Meals | All included from dinner on Day 1
to breakfast on Day 8 |
| Insects | Biting midges should not be a problem |
| Accom | Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite |
The combination of wildlife, colour and landscape will surely make
Mull one of the best places in Britain to spend autumn; relaxing
and watching some of the country’s most spectacular wildlife.48uep6bbph|00000E4E|Spey_BESQL3|HolidayTypes|Subheading 48uep6bbphidval|MULL AUTUMN
| * Scotland’s wild places look at their most glorious in their cloak of autumn colours
|
| * There will be fantastic opportunities for White-tailed and Golden Eagle
|
| * Good chance of Otters throughout the trip
|
| * Great Northern, Black and Red-throated Divers
|
| * Possibilities of passage migrants and early arrival of winter visitors
|
| * Stay in a comfortable hotel with spectacular views
|
| * Travel up and back through Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe
|
| Days 1-2 | We shall meet up in Glasgow and
make our way to our overnight base at
Kilchrennan near Oban. In the morning we’ll make
our way through some beautiful scenery before
catching a ferry from Oban to the Isle of Mull.
We may see Black Guillemots in Oban Harbour
and as we journey across the Firth Of Lorne.
These are rich waters and there is always a
chance of Harbour Porpoise, Common Dolphin
or, with luck, something even larger.
We’ll be able to birdwatch immediately we arrive,
as our hotel is on the shore overlooking the
Sound of Mull
|
| Days 3-6 | We shall spend the next four days
exploring the beautiful island of Mull
enjoying the fresh air, open spaces and wild
landscape, but most of all we shall be looking out
for Mull’s amazing wildlife.
We shall be taking daily drives out to different
locations across the island. Our travel will be slow
and sedate, given the narrow roads we shall be
exploring, whilst looking out for eagles above,
Harriers alongside and Otters below on the
shorelines.
At this time of year we shall be hoping for good
views of all three divers and perhaps a few
wintering seaduck might be starting to arrive.
Early Whooper Swans may also be arriving, as
well as Slavonian Grebe, which spend the winter
in sheltered bays.
Out to sea we shall be looking for Gannets and
other seabirds, including a real favourite, the Black
Guillemot.
Mull is now a stronghold for White-tailed Eagle
and we hope for regular sightings, as they never
ever fail to impress. Their huge wingspan and tolerance of our presence, often gets us some
incredible views of these breathtaking birds.
Mull’s Golden Eagle population is also excellent
so, although they tend to be a little more elusive,
we shall be hoping for good views of adults and
juveniles at this time of year. It is not unusual to see
both species of eagle soaring together over the
mountains.
Mull is famous for its eagles, but there are other
spectacular raptors to be had too. The bird we
all want to see is a male Hen Harrier and seeing
one of these beautiful pearl-grey birds in the late
autumn light is a sight never to be forgotten.
The rapid flight of the Merlin and the slow stealthy
Short-eared Owl are what we shall be looking for
over the moors, hillsides and marshes. Young birds
of both species should be around if we are lucky.
As we travel from one corner of the island to
another, we shall be driving through steep-sided
mountain valleys, across open bog land and best of
all, along the rocky shoreline that surrounds Mull. At
this time of year we shall be looking for waders such
as Redshank, Greenshank and Bar-tailed Godwit.
We shall also be hoping to see Common and
Grey Seals hauled out on the offshore rocky islets
and skerries. Of course, the jewel in the crown
of these coastal areas is the European Otter.
It will be all eyes open as we drive slowly along the
coast hoping for a glimpse of one swimming, but
best of all one resting up on a rock eating a crab
or sunfish.
These Otter views are undoubtedly the holiday
highlight for any trip to Mull, so we shall be working
hard to find that special view for us all to enjoy.
On our travels we shall visit the pretty town of
Tobermory in the north east of the island; the Mull
Cheese Factory for a guided tour and a special
tasting of their delicious cheese and also the
White-tail Gin Distillery towards the south west of
the island, for a special tasting of their glorious Gin.
|
| Days 7-8 | On the penultimate day, we’ll catch
a morning ferry to Lochaline and take
a fabulous drive inland and ultimately through the
majestic strath of Glencoe and over Rannoch
Moor, before arriving at our hotel overlooking the
Clyde Estuary, for our last night.
In the morning we’ll return you to Glasgow where
we bid our farewells.
|
Just some of what we hope to see..
| White-tailed Eagle | Common Scoter | Twite |
| Golden Eagle | Eider Duck | Shag |
| Hen Harrier | Razorbill | Kittiwake |
| Peregrine | Black Guillemot | Harbour Porpoise |
| Merlin | Gannet | Common Dolphin |
| Short-eared Owl | Raven | Minke Whale |
| Black-throated Diver | Greenshank | Common Seal |
| Red-throated Diver | Oystercatcher | Grey Seal |
| Great Northern Diver | Great Skua | Otter |
| Slavonian Grebe | Storm Petrel | |
| Whooper Swan | Rock Dove | |
|