Best of Scottish Wildlife

[d70mpv]

Hi there,

Quite a broad question I know but we're thinking of going to Scotland next year for a couple of weeks and would like to know what the best time of year and places to go would be for wildlife.

It being such a vast place and with so much to see I'm feeling a little overwhelmed!

Any recommended books etc would be appreciated too.

Thanks.

[Jim Ford]

If you're near the Moray Firth, try and get to Chanery Point and watch the dolphins feed on the incoming tide - it's quite spectacular. You stand on the point and they can be near enough to throw rocks at them!

Jim

[larachmor]

Originally Posted by d70mpv

Hi there,

Quite a broad question I know but we're thinking of going to Scotland next year for a couple of weeks and would like to know what the best time of year and places to go would be for wildlife.

It being such a vast place and with so much to see I'm feeling a little overwhelmed!

Any recommended books etc would be appreciated too.

Thanks.

There are of course many places in Scotland that are great for wildlife, and I have no hestitation in recommending the Isle of Mull as THE place to go for wildlife, and the best time to go I would say is May/June before the midges become too much of a problem. Mull's geography means that you're never far from the sea and you're always in with the chance of an otter popping up. Mull too is undoubtedly the best place in the UK to see eagles - golden and white-tailed. The mullbirds website Mullbirds Online will give you some idea of what's on offer. Mull certainly tops my UK list.

[rlchew]

I have recommended this book several times on WAB and do so again without hesitation.

NHBS - Best Birdwatching Sites: Scottish Highlands - Gordon Hamlett

I was visiting the Scottish Highlands and Islands on a regular basis well before this book was published but it certainly introduced me to many new areas and sites of interest.

It would be money well spent if you are planning a trip.

Here is another one in my library which covers the whole of Scotland ....

NHBS - Where to Watch Birds in Scotland - Mike Madders and Julia Welstead

If you do visit Scotland, you will not be disappointed. It has so much to offer at any time of the year but I do agree that Mull in May/June is very hard to beat.

Richard

[ron1863]

I would have to agree with Bill that the Isle of Mull is one of the best and not just for the wildlife, theres beautiful scenery, white sandy beaches and wonderful whisky.

[zan]

It depends on what you want to see really. There are lots of really good spots throughout scotland, but you might want to make a short list of species you'd really really like to see. Mull is good though

Zan

[Nicola Main]

I'd agree with going around May or June before the midges. The Isle of Mull sounds great but what about somewhere near the Cairngorms? A lot of Scottish species are found there including some of the rarest like the Scottish Wildcat, Pine Marten, Capercaillie, Ptarmigan and Crested Tit among many others. I know its popular but there are a lot of facilities (which to be honest can be a bonus) and if you wanted to go somewhere more quiet it wouldn't be too difficult. Also you wouldn't be far away from Chanonry Point to see the dolphins, and you could make a day trip to Glen Affric NNR or even along the Moray coast which has some excellent places for wildlife.

Wherever you decide to go, have a wonderful time and I hope you see lots of wildlife!

[KeenTeen17]

may and june are usually the times of bad weather (from experience)

late april is quite good as high pressure sometimes comes in and the golden eagles can be seen around loch ness and white tailed sea eagles can be seen around Beauly firth. There are less crowds as well because its "not the season" Also slav grebes and such are in breeding plumage at that time of year.

[kent marshman]

Originally Posted by d70mpv

Hi there,

Quite a broad question I know but we're thinking of going to Scotland next year for a couple of weeks and would like to know what the best time of year and places to go would be for wildlife.

It being such a vast place and with so much to see I'm feeling a little overwhelmed!

Any recommended books etc would be appreciated too.

Thanks.

hiya
ive been going to north of scotland for the past 15 yrs if you want to see deer go at the end of sept and watch the Red deer rut must be one of the best wildlife specticalls in this country, i would recommend inchnadamph near loch inver you can watch the deer from the side of the road plus theres plenty of other wildlife and touris attractions, feel free to message me i can recommend quite a few places up there of interest

george

[d70mpv]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. Once again WAB has excelled itself, what a wonderful resource.