Nature Quest Weekends
Wildlife Trips in the Scottish Highlands
 Basking Shark seen from the lighthouse walls in July 2006 |
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Chris Barrett and Fran Cree
Rua Reidh Lighthouse Melvaig, Gairloch, Ross-shire IV21 2EA North-West Scotland Telephone: +44(0)1445 771 263 Email: ruareidh@tiscali.co.uk |
Wester Ross has the largest National Scenic Area in Scotland where jagged mountains run down into the Atlantic Ocean: the far North West of Scotland is not an easy place to call home with often wild weather brought in from the Atlantic. But its very emptiness makes it attractive for some wildlife, with Spring and Autumn often being the most active times of year for viewing! Migration is in full swing with birds and sea mammals moving north or south, in Spring the moorland is bursting with flora and nesting birds while in Autumn the birds are gathering for their winter holidays.
Rua Reidh lighthouse provides a wonderful unique base from which to observe the nature of the area whilst staying in the comfortable keepers house.
The rocky seaweed strewn shores around the lighthouse are favoured by the elusive otter and off the headland is a favourite place for Great Northern Divers to stop for a snack on their migration route. From the lighthouse walls Whales, Dolphin, Basking Shark and Atlantic Seals can be viewed when the sea is not too rough.
Coastal plantlife clings precariously to steep cliffs as do nesting Fulmars, Shags and Kittiwakes and the moors are alive with the flowers of bogland and heather which provide cover for ground nesting Golden Plover and Red Grouse. Other birds sometimes seen include the magnificent White Tailed Eagle, Skua, Red & Black Throated Divers and in Autumn the tiny Storm Petrel is sometimes drawn towards the light as they return to their nests at night time!
Join us on one of our Nature Quest weekends when we will provide you with the best possible opportunity of experiencing some of the wildlife and landscapes of Wester Ross with local guides.
| Day 1 | 5pm Pick up Inverness. Drive west via the Black Isle - home to the successfully re-introduced Red Kite, through the Torridon Mountains to the Lighthouse in time for dinner. |
| Day 2 | Walk out along the Rua Reidh Headland to view nesting birds close to and catch sight of Black Guillemot, Razorbills, Snipe, and possible Sea Eagle which have been seen in the area for several years and have nested once but unsuccessfully. Also there is the possibility of observing marine mammals and even Red Deer. |
| Day 3 | Get closer to marine nature with a morning Boat Trip with Marine Biologist, Ian French (www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk) followed by a walk on Red Point Beach in the afternoon - a beautiful sandy beach which looks out over the Minch to Rhona and Skye - and into the Loch Torridon and the mountains beyond. The quiet bay is often the home of Divers and Mergansers as well as the grey seal who sometimes accompanies the walk. |
| Day 4 | Trip to Bein Eighe Nature Reserve the first to be created in Scotland to manage the native Scots Pine which grow on the lower slopes of the mountain. After a tour of the Visitor Centre which explains the Torridon area from its geological creation through to the work that is carried out on the reserve today we walk the Mountain Trail which takes us up the slopes above the treeline looking out over beautiful Loch Maree. |
| Day 5 | Return to Inverness after breakfast |
The itinerary may change if weather conditions make it necessary. The walking is at a gentle pace but not always on good paths or indeed any path at all so good Hiking Boots are essential. Dinner is taken each night at the Lighthouse with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the evening sunset over the Outer Hebrides - with luck!
2008 DATES & PRICES
- May 16th - 20th
- June 12th - 16th
- August 28th - September 1st
Cost £305
Four nights Full Board and accommodation based on twin/double room. Includes transfers from Inverness, all local transport, experienced guiding for all three days programme and the boat trip.
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