Alladale Lodge, Scottish Highlands

'In May, Naturetrek ran its inaugural spring tour to Alladale, a recent venue for the BBC's ‘Autumn Watch’. Perched with a commanding view over spectacular Highland scenery, the traditional stone Lodge is a wonderful location from which to explore the Wilderness Reserve, yet convenient for visiting other important habitats further afield' writes tour leader Dave Pierce.

'Whilst the Lodge served up luscious cuisine, the Reserve served up some special wildlife including Golden Eagle, Osprey, Ptarmigan, Black Grouse, Ring Ouzel plus on one occasion a Mountain Hare. Several Red Deer stags frequented the environs of the Lodge, with Swifts screaming around the building and Woodcocks roding at the approach of dusk. Alladale is a partner in the captive Wildcat breeding programme and we experienced a fascinating tour of their breeding enclosures, with close views of the felines.

We enjoyed several close encounters with Red Squirrels, whilst both Common and Grey Seals were to the fore at Loch Fleet, where we viewed no less than four Ospreys. A Greenshank foraged along the shore here and other waders, including a superb summer plumaged Sanderling, showed well nearby. On the spectacular island of Handa we were treated to the sights, sounds and smells of tens of thousands of nesting seabirds. Amongst them were Guillemots, Razorbills, Black Guillemots and Puffins plus Kittiwakes, Fulmars and both Great and Arctic Skuas. If that wasn't enough, from our vantage point atop the island's cliffs we looked down on a pod of five Orcas! Last but not least on the drive over, we marvelled at a pair of resplendent Black-throated Divers in breeding plumage close at hand.'

Book tour

‘The first of the early autumn tours to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula were well attended with 11 guests on both tours’, writes tour leader Dave Jackson. ‘We visited historic sites at Camas nan Geall, the ruined Castle Tioram and a deserted township on the way to Sanna, one of the most picturesque beaches on the peninsula, where Sand Martins and Northern Wheatears fed along the path in front of us.

Highlights from the tours included the incredible sight of a Supermoon rising above the mountains as we waited for the Perseid meteor shower in the clear, dark sky near our accommodation; a Red Squirrel; a Dipper; a fine male Hen Harrier, and White-tailed Eagles which were regularly sighted, with five birds observed on one visit to a loch.

Seabirds, including Manx Shearwaters, Northern Gannets and Arctic Skuas were seen on the boat trips. Good numbers of Harbour Porpoise and Common Dolphins were actively feeding in the loch and a surprise Storm Petrel overtook the boat as we returned from the island of Muck.

Otters remained typically elusive, although seen several times on our early morning walks, before giving themselves up with a pair cavorting around the rocks at low tide from Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide, where many Harbour Seals loitered on the islands.

Red Deer were seen regularly around the bunkhouse but everyone’s favourites were the family of Pine Martens who entertained us every evening as the two kits became less timid. Both parents and the kits could be seen at any time of day allowing photos to be taken in good light on a number of occasions – a delight to watch!’

Book tour