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Scottish Wildlife

Scotland is probably Europe’s top wildlife watching destination. It has an incredible variety of birds, mammals, butterflies and insects. Many of the species here are rare but may be glimpsed in the wild by the keen eyed visitor or viewed at close quarters in one of Scotland's wildlife parks. You will always remember the thrill of watching your first golden eagle soaring high in the sky or coming across your first majestic stag standing proudly on the hillside before leaping away to safety.

Watch out for red deer singly or in herds on the hills in the Highlands. They are most easily seen in the colder months when they descend from the higher slopes to more sheltered ground, climbing higher again as the weather gets warmer. Sometimes in the summer, when out walking, you may surprise one in the woods.

Birds of prey commonly seen circling over wooded areas are probably buzzards. In the Highlands, a large bird with feathered wing tips circling slowly high over the bens and glens may well be a golden eagle (as pictured here) rather than a buzzard.

Red kite have been re-introduced and are doing well, particularly on the Black Isle in the Highlands.
Ospreys, re-introduced around 50 years ago at Loch Garten in the Cairngorms, are now frequently seen on many rivers and lochs in the late spring and early summer and numbers are growing all the time.
The sea eagle, also known as the white tailed eagle, was re-introduced in 1975 and is increasingly seen on the west coast, soaring over the island of Mull and in the Inner Hebrides.

The elusive and very shy wild cat is rarely spotted, but is unmistakable with a heavier build than the domestic cat, gingery colouring and ringed markings on its thick tail. With a little local knowledge, and a good deal of patience, you may be rewarded with a sighting of an otter fishing in a river or in sea and freshwater lochs. Pine marten are agile climbers and the largest member of the weasel family. They are forest dwellers but are often attracted to bird tables in rural gardens.

Native red squirrels are less confident and less aggressive than the larger grey squirrels which are gradually taking over the red squirrel territory and displacing them. However, 90% of British red squirrels are to be found in Scotland, predominantly in the Highlands. They can be spotted in mixed woodland and chatter angrily when disturbed.

Bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth are very popular with visitors. You can watch for them from the shore or join a boat trip for a closer view of their acrobatics.

Around 100,000 grey seals live and breed around Britain’s shores, with Scotland’s rugged coastline and multitude of islands supporting the majority of the population. There are also sizeable colonies of common seals to be seen. It’s almost inevitable that you will obtain sightings of these fascinating mammals lazing on rocks or heads bobbing in the sea.

The Cairngorms National Park is home to the very rare capercaillie, the largest member of the grouse family, and crossbills which are uniquely adapted to feed on pine tree seeds. Late evening or dawn are the best times to visit one of the ‘lekking’ grounds of the black grouse where the males display and try to attract a mate.

Wintertime is when deer can be seen more easily, although it may be a little challenging to spot those species which change into their white winter plumage or fur, such as ptarmigan, stoats or mountain hares.

HIGHLANDS

Lochaber, Isle of Skye, Wester Ross, Caithness and Sutherland

Bright Water Visitor Centre - The island of Eilean Ban sits below the elegant Skye Bridge. It is home to otters, with a hide for viewing these secretive creatures. The lighthouse and cottages (once the home of Gavin Maxwell - author of 'The Ring of Bright Water') have been restored and can be visited. The island has been made 'visitor friendly' by the work of the Born Free Foundation and the Eilean Ban Trust. The Visitor Centre in Kyleakin is open Monday - Saturday from 1 March to 1 October. Boat trips to Eilean Ban can be arranged from there with a ranger. www.eileanban.org
Bella Jane Boat Trips - Elgol, Isle of Skye. Takes you to world famous Loch Coruisk and the seals in the heart of the spectacular Cuillin mountains. Daily - April to October. Booking essential. www.bellajane.co.uk
Sea.fari Adventures - Armadale Pier, Sleat, Isle of Skye. Three hour whale spotting trips and two hour adventures. www.whalespotting.co.uk
Sea Probe Atlantis Glass bottomed boat trips from Kyle of Lochalsh. Beautiful kelp forests, fish, seals, otters, dolphins, whales and occasionally sharks. Easter to October. www.seaprobeatlantis.com
Eagle-Watch Wildlife Cruises on Loch Shiel - Glenfinnan. Unique guided cruises on the stunning sheltered waters of Loch Shiel. Spot golden eagles, red deer and black-throated divers. Daily. Easter to October. Booking advisable. www.highlandcruises.co.uk
Crannog Cruises - Fort William Pier. Enjoy the Highland splendour and wildlife of Loch Linnhe, with magnificent views of Ben Nevis. www.crannog.net
Arisaig Marine - The Harbour, Arisaig. Explore the enchanting islands of Eigg, Muck and Rum. Regular sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins and seals. May to late September. Cruises daily at 11am. www.arisaig.co.uk

otter

Wild West - South Laggan, near Spean Bridge. Wildlife safaris in the wilderness areas of Lochaber, including Glengarry, Knoydart and Loch Hourn. Golden eagles to red deer, otters to dolphin. www.wildwestsafari.co.uk

West Highland Hawking at Kinlochewe. Falconry experience days and courses in falconry. Open daily but advanced book is required.
Torridon Countryside Centre (National Trust for Scotland). Breathtaking scenery, deer enclosure, visitor centre and Ranger service. www.nts.org.uk

red deer

Hebridean Whale Cruises - Gairloch. Whale and dolphin cruises, fishing trips. Open all year. www.hebridean-whale-cruises.com
Gairloch Marine Life Centre & Cruises - Join a marine biologist on a daily cruise to monitor whale, porpoise and dolphin activity. www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk
Summer Queen boat trips from Ullapool. Daily cruises to the Summer Isles from May to September. Trips last 4 hours and include time ashore on one of the islands, giving visitors a chance to explore. Two-hour wildlife cruises to the Isle Martin bird sanctuary and seal islands. www.summerqueen.co.uk
Statesman Cruises. Boat trips from Kylesku old ferry pier down Loch Glencoull to see Eas-coul-aulin falls - the highest waterfall in Britain. See seals (and pups when born) and other wild life, like golden eagle and seabirds. Sailings (subject to weather): Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday at 11am and 3pm; Friday at 11am and 2pm. Tel: 01971 502345. Web page

Assynt Visitor Centre - Main Street, Lochinver - See the "Story of Assynt" and watch the nest activity of Grey Herons from nearby Culag Wood on large monitors in the Centre. There is an RSPB representative on hand to answer queries and also take visitors on a guided walk to the heronry. The Visitor Centre is also the base for the local Ranger service and they are on hand to give guidance about the local wildlife activity. The Rangers conduct a programme of guided walks throughout the summer. Tel: 01571 844654.

If you are lucky, you may also spot pine martens which are quite partial to peanut butter and jam.

pine marten

North-East Highlands, Inverness & Orkney

Bird-watching in Orkney. With so many habitats in a relatively small area you can experience a vast selection of flora and fauna. RSPB has over 8000 hectares of reserves in Orkney, ranging from sea cliffs to wetlands, maritime heaths to moorlands. Birds resident or recorded include hen harrier, red-throated diver, guillemot, razorbill, arctic tern, shag, puffin, corncrake, peregrine, merlin, whimbrel, sedge warbler, twites, reed bunting, kestrel, short eared owl, teal, widgeon, curlew but there are many, many more. www.rspb.org.uk
North Coast Marine Adventures - John O'Groats. Visit birds and seals at close quarters in caves and geos. Daily Mar - Oct.
Wildlife Cruises - Every day from 20th June to 31st August from John O'Groats. www.jogferry.co.uk
RSPB Forsinard Peatland Reserve. Experience the vastness of Scotland's peatlands in the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland. Delightful drive along river Halladale for 14 miles to Forsinard to access guided walks and bog pool trail. Visitor Centre. www.rspb.org.uk

Dolphins - The Moray Firth, the sea inlet on which Inverness stands, is one of only two places in the UK where bottle-nosed dolphins can be seen. There are trips from Inverness taking visitors out into the Firth where the dolphins will frequently follow the small boat. Other viewing spots are the shore at the narrows between Chanonry Point on the Black Isle to the north of Inverness and Fort George to the east. Sometimes they can be seen from the shoreline just under the Kessock Bridge which spans the Moray Firth. The best times are when the tide is flowing strongly and when the sun is out - they seem to enjoy jumping out of the water when the sun shines! For boat trips visit www.inverness-dolphin-cruises.co.uk

Red Kites on The Black Isle, north of Inverness. Red kites were re-introduced to this area and can often be seen by car drivers on the A9 between the Kessock Bridge and Tore roundabout. At the Tourist Information centre on the north-bound A9, just across the Kessock Bridge, there is a hut relaying CCTV footage from a kite nest nearby.
RSPB Loch Ruthven Nature Reserve - Situated 16 miles (25 km) south-west of Inverness. The Loch is about 2 miles long and the eastern end forms part of the RSPB nature reserve. This is the best site in Britain to guarantee views of Slavonian grebes with their flamboyant breeding colours. Ospreys visit almost daily during their season and red-throated divers, goosanders and other waterfowl can be expected. Passerines include whinchats, redpolls, wheatears and the occasional ring ouzel. You may even see short-eared owls and hen harriers. www.rspb.org.uk
Upper Findhorn, Coignafearn, near Tomatin - This is very much golden eagle country but other species you may see include peregrines, merlins, kestrels and sparrowhawks. Dippers and grey wagtails are found along the burn and lapwings and oystercatchers nest in the meadows near the river. Ring ouzels, wheatears, meadow pipits and the distinctive stonechat are all found here. Occasionally red grouse may be seen or heard. As a bonus you can usually see large herds of red deer browsing on the hill.

Cairngorms National Park

The Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, by Kingussie. Discover Scotland's wildlife and endangered animals of the world's mountain and tundra regions. Facilities include coffee shop, children's trail, free audio tape, daily warden talks etc. Large drive-through reserve with red deer, Highland cattle, bison, wild horses. Walk to visit wolves, lynx, otters, Arctic fox and Amur tigers. Admission charge. Open every day (weather permitting in winter). www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk

RSPB Insh Marshes, Kingussie. A National Nature Reserve, this is one of the most important wetlands in Europe. In spring lapwings, redshanks and curlews nest here. In winter, the marshes flood, providing roosting and feeding for flocks of whooper swans and greylag geese. Organised day and evening events from April - August. Open at all times. Open at all times. www.rspb.org.uk

RSPB Loch Garten - Abernethy Forest, by Aviemore. A visit here is a must. You can see an osprey nest from the Ospey Centre, and a pair of birds is normally resident between April and August. Reserve trails are through the pine forest, with crested tits, crossbills and red squirrels. Reserve open at all times. Osprey Centre open daily 10am - 6pm from late April to end of August only. www.rspb.org.uk

ABERDEENSHIRE & GRAMPIAN

Fowlsheugh Reserve (RSPB) at Crawton, near Stonehaven. Fantastic seabird cliffs packed with breeding guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes and smaller numbers of fulmars, herring gulls, puffins and shags nests. From May to July boat trips run from Stonehaven to visit the cliffs in the evenings. www.rspb.org.uk
Glenlivet Wildlife - Tomnavoulin, Glenlivet. Off road and Landrover safaris, guided walks and hides on the Glenlivet Crown estate in the Cairngorms National Park. Mountain hares, moorland birds, black grouse and red deer. www.glenlivet-wildlife.co.uk
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve - West of Aboyne beside the A93 and A97. Within the reserve are the lovely Burn O'Vat and the lochs Kinord and Davan.
Balmoral Castle & Estates - Crathie,near Braemar. Summer holiday home for the Royal family in Scotland. Gardens and grounds open to the public daily from 10am - 5pm from 1 April - 31 July. Fishing and horse riding. Ranger Service with guided walks and luxury land rover safaris. www.balmoralcastle.com
Macduff Marine Aquarium - Displays of Moray Firth marine life. Feed and dive shows; Gift shop. Open daily 10am - 5pm. Admission charge.
Moray Firth Wildlife Centre - Spey Bay. Moray Firth dolphins exhibition, gift shop & tearoom. Admission Free. www.wdcs.org/wildlifecentre

DUNDEE & ANGUS

Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve (Scottish Wildlife Trust). The Visitor Centre provides high class viewing facilities through high powered telescopes and binoculars overlooking the Montrose Basin and tidal estuary. A wide variety of wildfowl and waders including pink footed geese, wigeon, eider, curlew, godwit and water rail. Open daily from 15th March to 15th November (10.30am - 5pm); and then Friday - Sunday only from 16th November to 14th March (10.30am - 4pm). Admission charge. www.swt.org.uk

RSPB Loch of Kinnordy - Angus. The lochs and fens of the reserve are surrounded by farmland. It can be one the best places in Scotland for black-necked grebes. Ospreys visit regularly in the summer. www.rspb.org.uk

PERTHSHIRE

Lerrocks Farm - Argaty near Doune. Red Kites are back in central Scotland after 130 years. Argaty is the perfect place to observe the spectacle of the kites' flying acrobatics. Tel: 01786 841373. Open all year - visits to be booked in advance. The Lerrock Farm Red Kite project is a partnership with RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve (Scottish Wildlife Trust) near Dunkeld. Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre provides unrivalled viewing opportunities of breeding ospreys. The nest is situated just 150 metres from the observation hide. Admission charge. www.swt.org.uk
Atholl Estates - Blair Atholl. Discover the wildlife of one of Scotland's largest and most iconic estates during a hill tour with a game-keeper or landscape tour with a ranger. www.atholl-estates.co.uk
Highland Safaris - Dull, Aberfeldy. Landrover safari company offering wildlife safaris into the mountains of Highland Perthshire. Safari Lodge with farm shop and café. www.highlandsafaris.net
RSPB Vane Farm. Part of the loch Leven National Nature Reserve. The visitor centre and observation room overlook the loch. In winter, see greylag and pink footed geese, redshanks, snipe, lapwings and ducks. During summer spot willow warblers, tree pipits and great spotted woodpeckers. Open at all times. Visitor centre open daily 10am to 5pm. www.rspb.org.uk

ARGYLL, THE ISLES, LOCH LOMOND & STIRLING

Sea Fari Adventures - Easdale Harbour Isle of Seil near Oban. Exhilarating marine excursions aboard a high speed, inflatable boat including seeing the Corryvreckan whirlpool. Open all year weather permitting. www.seafari.co.uk
Scottish Sealife Sanctuary - Barcaldine, Connel near Oban. Resident seals and otters, hourly talks and feeding demonstrations, marine hospital. Open all year. www.sealsanctuary.co.uk

The Isle of Mull has an exciting and wide range of wildlife both on land and in the sea. Here are just a few operators offering tours and boat trips:
- Isle of Mull Wildlife Expeditions
- Wild about Mull - wildlife tours on the Ross of Mull.
- Island Encounter - wildlife and birdwatch safaris.
Boat trips from Mull or Iona will also take you to the spectacular uninhabited island of Staffa and the Treshnish Isles which are home to thousands of sea birds, including puffins.

There are excellent Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Reserves at Inversnaid on the shores of Loch Lomond, the Isle of Coll and Loch Gruinart and The Oa, on Islay. If you're visiting Coll or Islay also keep a close watch for their most elusive resident bird - the corncrake.

THE KINGDOM OF FIFE

Anstruther Pleasure Trips. The Isle of May is a wildlife watcher's paradise. View large colonies of puffins, eiders, guillemots, razorbills and many other seabirds and seals in their natural habitat. www.isleofmayferry.com
Scottish Deer Centre - Bow of Fife by Cupar. Encounter a stag or see European wolves. Many species of deer, falconry displays, Bird of Prey Centre, Coffee shop. Open all year. Admission charge.

EDINBURGH AND THE LOTHIANS

Aberlady Bird Reserve. On the Firth of Forth. Britain's first Local Nature Reserve created in 1952. Coastal estuary site with many species of wildfowl and waders. Open all year.
John Muir Country Park. Dunbar. Covers some of East Lothian's most spectacular coastline - a haven for wildlife. Open all year.

Scottish Seabird Centre - The Harbour, North Berwick. Open 10am to 6pm summer, 10am to 4pm winter. Exhibitions, boat trips and cameras showing the birds on the Bass Rock which sits just offshore in the Firth of Forth. www.seabird.org
The Bass Rock - The largest number of visitors to North Berwick fly in every year to set up home on the four islands of Bass Rock, Craigleith, Lamb and Fidra. Around 100,000 sea birds nest on these islands with the largest colony on the Bass Rock, which has 80,000 occupied nest sites. This includes the largest gannet colony in the northern hemisphere. Boat trips available.

GLASGOW & CLYDE VALLEY

RSPB Lochwinnoch - Renfrewshire. This is one of the few remaining wetlands in west Scotland. From the hides and visitor centre you can view the marshland and loch. In winter you may see whooper swans, greylag geese and goosanders. In spring, great crested grebes and lapwings display. Open at all times. Visitor Centre open daily 10am- 5pm. www.rspb.org.uk
Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve (Scottish Wildlife Trust). Located within the World Heritage Site of New Lanark and at the gateway to the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve. More than 100 bird species, including unsurpassed views of nesting peregrine falcons (March to June). Seasonal events include 'Badger Watches'. www.swt.org.uk

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes - Glenlochar, on west shore of Loch Ken. 3 mile trail through woodland and farmland. Goose viewing platform over Loch Ken and main goose feeding areas. Open at all times. www.rspb.org.uk
RSPB Mersehead near Caulkerbush. The farmland and mudflats on the Solway shore are full of birds in winter, including barnacle geese, pink footed geese, pintails and birds of prey. In spring, see lapwings, curlew and snipe display on the wet meadows and marsh. www.rspb.org.uk
RSPB Mull of Galloway - This is the most southerly point in Scotland. Excellent views from the cliffs over the Solway Firth and Irish Sea to the Isle of Man. Thousands of breeding seabirds. Best time to visit is April to July. Open at all times. www.rspb.org.uk

SCOTTISH BORDERS

Bowhill Country Park - Situated in the ancient Ettrick forest near Selkirk and home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. Covers upland, moorland and water habitats. Woodland and lochside trails and Ranger led walks. www.bowhill.org

Philiphaugh Estate & Salmon Viewing Centre near Selkirk. Provides a fish-eye view of the river from the perspective of the Atlantic salmon. Live and archive underwater camera footage. Interactive displays. Best time to see salmon leaping is August to November. Restaurant, estate walks to spot badger, foxes, roe deer, bats weasels, owls and lots more. www.salmonviewingcentre.com
Clifftop Discovery Coldingham. Explore the natural history and coastal scenery of Berwickshire's magnificent sea cliffs. Vast colonies of seabirds, wild flowers and butterflies as well as occasional deer, porpoises, dolphins and whales. www.clifftopdiscovery.co.uk