Enjoy the wildlife and stunning scenery of Scotland’s far north-west, a remote unspoilt region where eagles, black-throated diver, pine marten, otter and wild cat thrive amongst the glens, mountains, lochs and moorland.
Above the high peaks where ptarmigan roam and red deer graze, golden eagles soar on broad wings. Hidden glens and native Caledonian forest offer refuge to pine marten and the highly elusive wild cat, while lochs such as Loch Maree hold an abundance of rare wildlife that includes Scotland’s most important population of black-throated diver. Lowland heath and heather moor are home to hen harriers and red grouse and, where the land meets the sea, Europe’s highest concentration of otters is found.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Meet in Inverness; drive north-west to Scourie
After meeting in Inverness, we drive to our hotel near Scourie in the north-west. En route we enjoy the beautiful changing landscapes and keep a look-out for wildlife such as red deer, golden eagle and merlin, with a stop to try for otters and black-throated divers.
Once we have settled in, there’s time to savour the stunning views before enjoying some local food.
After breakfast, we make our way to the fishing village of Tarbet to take a small boat across to Handa Island, a picturesque island with huge colonies of seabirds including guillemot, razorbill, great skua, fulmar, kittiwake and puffin.
We have the majority of the day to explore on foot, and to enjoy the seabirds on show, including a colony of nesting Arctic terns. Although spoilt for choice on land, we also take time to scan the sea for cetaceans, seals and otters.
Returning to the hotel after a delightful day on the island, we can relax before dinner and possibly enjoy an evening walk to look for otters.
Day3: Drive a circular route via Clachtoll, Inverkirkaig & Stac Pollaidh
Today we explore some very special sites of outstanding natural beauty while continuing our search for the region's wildlife. At Clachtoll Bay we walk across crofting land to visit the remains of an Iron Age broch. The area is good for cetaceans and otters, as well as migrant bird species such as wheatear, and there is also an opportunity to see some wonderful flora, including a number of orchid species.
We also visit Achmelvich Beach, which is not only a stunning bay, ranked highly for its beauty, but the inlet also offers the possibility of divers, terns, wheatear and twite. We continue our drive from Lochinver; these areas are good for eagles, both golden and white-tailed, and the rocky shores are a great habitat for otters.
Later in the day we pass under Stac Pollaidh, a striking mountain that seems to rise straight up out of the barren landscape. Once again we keep our eyes peeled for eagles, as well as for the smallest species of falcon – the merlin.
Day4: Gairloch Loop
We drive south-west through Ullapool then wind along the coast to Gairloch, with a stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge, a native woodland (with an impressive 45-metre high waterfall) where we will look for a variety of pinewood specialists, both faunal and floral.
Whilst taking in the stunning views, we may see feral goats, eagles and majestic red deer, while a stop at Dundonnell, which sits on Loch Broom (a sea-loch), offers the chance to scan for a variety of wader and waterfowl species amongst the salt flats.
This region is steeped in history, and we can immerse ourselves in the past while keeping a look-out for interesting wildlife. If the weather is fine, as we follow the coast to Gairloch, we can marvel at the views of the mountains we have left behind and see right across to the Outer Isles.
Our penultimate day sees us taking one of the most spectacular drives in the Highlands. We drive alongside Loch Maree, through Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve and on towards Applecross. The Munros of Torridon tower over us as we scan for black-throated diver, red deer and eagles. At Upper Loch Torridon we scan the coast for waders, cetaceans and otters. We also make a stop in a historic herring-fishing village where we might chance upon the resident pair of white-tailed eagles.
The winding coast road takes us to Applecross, where we might see a highland cow or two, before heading up and over the Bealach na Ba which, if clear, offers stunning views of Skye and Raasay, before dropping down to Lochcarron and driving slowly back to Gairloch.
Day6: Strathconon & Inverness
Our final day takes us back east to Inverness, but not before visiting a beautiful river valley. Golden eagles have nested here for many decades, so we give ourselves one final chance to see this magnificent bird, whilst also keeping our eyes peeled for cuckoo, common sandpiper, dipper, stonechat, whinchat and red deer. Flora includes heath spotted orchids, as well as all three sundew species.
On the way back to Inverness we stop briefly at a small loch where Slavonian grebes have nested regularly and scan for red kites that are abundant over the fertile arable lands of the east coast.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 6 daysfrom £1,295 pp
Single supplement:
From £290
Trip type:
Group Tour
Group size: 7
When to go: Jun-Jul
Group Departures: We are currently finalising future dates for this tour. Please contact us for further details.
A zoologist by training (specialising in marine ecology and bird biology) Mike spent most of his working career as a teacher of outdoor education.
During these years he explored much of the west coast of Scotland by sea kayak, leading adult trips out to offshore islands. Since retiring he spends his time writing travel and nature guidebooks and exploring wild places around the world. He co-led the first Chinese school backpacking expedition to Iceland and the first beach school course in the Cayman Islands. He lives with his wife and two dogs near Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast.
Surrounded by stunning, wildlife-rich scenery, and with a relatively warm coastal climate, Gairloch is a group of popular tourist villages on the North Coast 500 route. There are plenty of beautiful sandy beaches and it makes an ideal base for exploring Wester Ross and the north-west Highlands.
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Where: Wester Ross, north-west Scotland
Ideal for viewing: red deer, black-throated diver, white-tailed eagle, otter, whooper swan
The coastal village of Scourie is situated on the north west coast of Scotland and surrounded by rugged hills, ancient lochs and beautiful coastline. The village lies to the south of the island of Handa, noted for its exceptional seabird colonies which include puffin, razorbills and guillemots.
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Where: Wester Ross, north-west Scotland
Ideal for viewing: otter, Atlantic puffin, red-throated diver, great skua, red deer
The Eddrachilles Hotel is a small, owner-run hotel on Scotland’s stunning north-west Sutherland coast. Built originally as a Church of Scotland minister’s house, it enjoys gorgeous views over the island-studded Badcall Bay and beyond to Assynt, and offers good food and comfortable accommodation.
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A traditional Highland coaching inn, The Old Inn at Gairloch offers an ideal place to unwind, and explore this delightful wild corner of Scotland’s west coast. Expect a friendly welcome and relaxed atmosphere from this outstanding inn which occupies a lovely location overlooking Gairloch harbour.
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