West Coast of Scotland - wildlife hotspots?

[JeffH]

My wife and I have just booked a lochside lodge (on the east side of Loch Linnhe) for the last 2 weeks in May with the intention of using it as a base for day tours of the west coast of Scotland.

We last visited this area nearly 20 years ago and I'm planning day trips to Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Skye and Mull and hoping to see Eagles, Deer, Pine Marten, Otter, etc.

I know that a number of WAB members live in or regularly visit Scotland and/or have up-to-date knowledge of Scotland's wildlife hotspots and would appreciate any advice as to specfic sites/areas we should visit.

All suggestions gratefully received - Thanks in advance .

Jeff

[seamusagleann]

hi jeff ,i live on the east shore of loch linnhe,very accessible for all the areas you want to visit . i take it you'll be staying just outside fort william,which is about 20 mins from me .any questions you have i''ll do my best to answer

[Hoppingmad]

Jeff

I visited Glen Coe in October and saw lots of red deer near the top of the pass and in the Glen Etive area. We also saw an eagle here too. It is a beautiful area to visit. If you have time visit the Cairngorms which are stunning. I saw red grouse in that area that I got fairly close to.

Enjoy your trip.

[big bill]

A good area to visit if you have the time is the Cairngorm National Park especially the Rothiemurchas Estate Forest it is great for wildlife ,red squirrel,caperchaillie,polecats there is so much worth a visit

[rlchew]

Hi Jeff

I visit the Scottish Highlands and Islands at least once a year and believe me you are spoilt for choice. The whole region has magnificent landscapes and wildlife.

Ardnamurchan, Skye and Mull are all wonderful locations for wildlife.

Rather than begin to write the longest post in WAB history, I would highly recommend the following book to plan your trip. This covers Ardnamurchan and Skye (and a whole lot more) but not Mull.

NHBS - Best Birdwatching Sites: Scottish Highlands - Gordon Hamlett

In addition, I am sure you will find these websites helpful ....

Mull Birds

Birds and bird watching on Skye

Have a great trip and be sure to let us know where you went and what you saw.

Richard

[tufftie]

I know it's a little way off from where you mentioned but if you get the chance Orkney is a great place to go; birds (lots of species) wildlife, plants, it has the highest concentration of Neolithic sites in Northern Europe and if you're into photography or other art the lighting is fantastic. Just a really brilliant place to go - very tranquil too and you'll miss the midges!

[ChrisJB]

An old chap I know, a few years ago, stayed in a forest lodge type thing on the eastern side of Loch Linnhe. He told me, using peanut butter as a bait, how he attracted Pine martins to pose for photos outside the lodge window! He also saw Otters in Loch Linnhe. I don't know if it is the same place, but it sounds promising.

Yesterday I returned from a week in a splendid isolated cottage overlooking Loch Ewe in Wester Ross. I'd never been so high in Scotland before and was utterly captivated with the place. We also saw a Golden Eagle, Otters, Harbour Porpoises, Snow Bunting (in the cottage garden!), Black Throated and Great Northern Divers and best for me some Ptarmigan (a bird that has eluded me for years). The mountains around Torridon (especially Liathach) too are wonderful photographic subjects. Next time I might even think about 'baggin'' a few.

Regards, Chris

[JeffH]

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions, specifically:-

Seamus - the place we'll be staying is actually just south of your village at Kentallen and, as I see you're a Park Ranger for the Forestry Commission, perhaps you'd be kind enough to let me know the current situation regarding vehicle access to the local forests and other 'wild' areas.

Sadly, due to ill-health (a serious heart condition) my wife has very limited mobility so our hill-walking days are over and the only way we can share and enjoy together any sort of 'wilderness experience' is by taking our 4x4 off the beaten track. However, access to 'green lanes' and the like is now severely
restricted in many parts of the country (such as the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales) but I don't know what the position is in Scotland. I'm aware, of course, that there are several scenic/forest drives in some of Scotland's forests but if the English versions are anything to go by these are often fairly tame affairs more suited to Mondeo man taking the family out for a Sunday spin

Any advice you can offer on this matter would be much appreciated

Hoppingmad - thanks for the tips. Glencoe is very near to where we'll be staying and we might also squeeze in a trip to the Cairngorms

big bill - thanks Bill

Richard - Thanks Richard. The book is already on order and I've obtained some very useful information from the Skye and Mull bird sites. Incidentally, I've got a 19 year old copy of 'Where to warch birds in Scotland' but it shows how things change as the RSPB reserve at Glenborrodale on the Ardnamurchan peninsula isn't even mentioned, nor is Ardnamurchan itself!

Tuftie - thanks for the Orkney suggestion. I'd love to go there but it's probably a bit too much to fit in on this occasion - maybe next year
By the way, are the midges much of a problem on the west coast in May?

ChrisJB - thanks Chris and yes, there are supposed to be Pine Marten in the area we'll be staying so it may well be the same place (note to self - don't forget the peanut butter ) I also understand that Otters are frequently seen in and around Loch Linnhe.

It sounds like you had a great time near Loch Ewe - it's only about 80 miles north of where we'll be staying but may be just a bit too far for a day trip. Any photos to share on WAB?

Thanks again to all concerned.

Jeff

[Hoppingmad]

Jeff

Sorry to hear that your wife's health prevents her from enjoying the wilderness. However, if you go to Glencoe and she is able to do a short level walk try going to the Lochan. There is a car park near the the Lochan which is really like a small loch surrounded by trees and it has a level path all the way around. You may see some wildlife and if there is no wind, some beautiful reflections in the water. Try the Forestry Commission's website for further details Forestry Commission GB.

For info on a couple of drives try this link Glencoe Scotland - About the Area and then click on Great Drives.

You may enjoy the drive towards the west coast which is one we liked. Take the A861 from Corran and then the B8007 towards the coast. The views are wonderful and there are lots of car parks next to the loch where you could stop.

I hope you have good holiday.

Debbie

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by JeffH

ChrisJB -
It sounds like you had a great time near Loch Ewe - it's only about 80 miles north of where we'll be staying but may be just a bit too far for a day trip. Any photos to share on WAB?

Thanks again to all concerned.

Jeff

I have a couple of decent ones, of Liathach, and An Teallach from the 'Destitution Road', but my camera, wildlife-wise', isn't really up to anything beyond wild flowers, fungi and butterflies!

Unfortunately I have no idea how to put photographs on W.A.B either.

Have a great trip anyway.

Regards, Chris