Islay & Jura

Tour Code: GBR10

A 7-day tour in search of the birds and mammals off Scotland's ruggedly scenic west coast, plus the chance to try some of Scotland's finest single malt whiskies!

7 days from
£1,895 (Inc ferry)
Land only price from
£1,895
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

Islay and Jura offer a delightful blend of superb wildlife-watching, stunning – and contrasting – scenery, fresh Atlantic air, and some of Scotland’s finest malt whiskies. We head first for Islay, arguably the most important place for wild geese in the British Isles. By late October, Islay is heaving with wildfowl and other waterbirds such as Black Guillemot and Greater Scaup, as well as raptors including Golden and White-tailed Eagles, and Hen Harrier. Next we transfer to Jura, its sculpted scenery a sharp, rugged contrast to the rolling fields and moors of Islay. We’ll enjoy its little-visited lochs, glens and beautiful beaches in search of deer, Grey Seals, Otter cubs, exotic flowers warmed by air from the Gulf Stream and other wildlife.

  • Up to 40,000 Barnacle Geese, plus possibility of rarities such as Snow Goose
  • About 7,000 Greenland White-fronted Geese, the world’s largest wintering population
  • Dusk & dawn vigil at a goose roost site is an unforgettable experience
  • Great Northern & Black-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebe & Purple Sandpiper
  • Red-billed Chough & small flocks of Snow Bunting, Islay
  • Opportunity to taste world-famous single malt whiskies
  • Jura has 5,000+ Red Deer & only 200 people!
  • There’s a pair of Otter for every 3 miles of coastline on both islands
  • Led by an expert naturalist guide

Grading

Gentle wildlife walks. Any more demanding walks will be optional.

The remote and beautiful Inner Hebridean islands of Islay and Jura jut out like fingers from the west coast of Scotland and, differing so much in landscape and character, both islands in combination offer a perfect getaway destination far from the rush of everyday life. Indeed they offer an intoxicating blend of superb wildlife-watching, stunning scenery and fresh Atlantic air, a truly unspoiled setting for some of the best and most iconic wildlife spectacles in the British Isles.

We will spend three nights on each island, enjoying their contrasting scenery and wildlife, heading first for Islay, described by the late Sir Peter Scott as ‘the most important place in the British Isles for wild geese, and one of the most important in Europe.’ The most southerly of the Inner Hebrides, Islay boasts a very varied landscape of mountains, moorland, woods and farmland, and has been described as the ‘Queen of the Hebrides’ — a fertile land teeming with breeding birds during the summer, and geese in the winter. It is during October when the geese start to arrive from their breeding grounds in the Arctic and, by late October, Islay is heaving with wildfowl, among which the most numerous is the handsomely marked Barnacle Goose, which has been known to number up to 40,000 here. The next most numerous is the Greenland White-fronted Goose, and Islay holds the largest wintering population of this species anywhere in the world, with up to 10,000 birds being present! A dawn or dusk vigil at one of the goose roosts on the island is a humbling experience never to be forgotten, and among the vast flocks there is always the chance of finding something rarer, maybe a Snow Goose or ‘genuine’ Canada Goose from North America.

Other wildfowl also occur, and on the main sea lochs up to 1,000 Greater Scaup may be found. But it’s not only the wildfowl which are special here; other waterbirds we are likely to see include Great Northern and Black-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebe, Purple Sandpiper and Black Guillemot. Away from the water we will make a special effort to seek out Red-billed Chough, a small flock of Snow Bunting, and perhaps a roost of over 200 Ravens. Last but not least is the island’s remarkable variety of raptors, perhaps not surprising given the abundance of prey. During suitable flying weather, Golden Eagles are almost guaranteed and views can be nothing short of spectacular. Hen Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine are also regularly seen, while there is an outside chance of a wandering White-tailed Eagle. Indeed, our chance of seeing these birds of prey is equally as good on the Isle of Jura where we’ll spend the second part of the holiday.

Jura offers a sharp and rugged contrast to the rolling fields and moors of northern Islay. Its southern part is dominated by the Paps — three dramatic, rounded hills rising close to the sea to a height of 300 metres. The island’s west coast is sculpted by many cliffs, caves and sweeping stretches of raised beach, formed by the land lifting up after the great weight of the ice sheets retreated. Further classic examples of the effects of glaciation can be seen within the lochs, hills and glens, and Jura also has the third strongest whirlpool in the world — Corryvreckan. Beautiful beaches are quiet and little visited, and exotic plants such as fuschias and palm trees grow here since the climate is warmed by the Gulf Stream. This unspoiled and remote setting is perfect for the enjoyment of natural history.

Even more so than Islay, Jura is a particularly good location for watching mammals. Indeed its name is said to come from Viking times, when it was known as ‘Dy Oer’ meaning Deer Island, and even today there are far more deer than people on Jura — in fact, about 5,000 Red Deer to 250 people! Feral goats can be found along the west coast, as well as Common and Grey Seals, while Otters, we hope, will be among the highlights of this holiday; there are said to be a pair for every three miles of coastline, and views of Otters eating fish, or a mother with well-grown cubs eating crab at close quarters, are unforgettable moments!

The superb single malt whiskies, which some argue are the finest in the world, are an added pleasure offered by these small Hebridean islands. Alongside the superb scenery, truly spectacular wildfowl gatherings and a host of other wildlife, it’s easy to see why Islay and Jura are two of our favourite British destinations, and we’sre sure you’ll share our enjoyment of this winter wildlife feast!

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Islay
Day 2/3
Islay
Day 4/6
Jura
Day 7
Depart Jura
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Ferries
  • Accommodation:

    Accommodation is in a comfortable hotel where all rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    All included, except lunches.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 22nd Oct – Tue 28th Oct SPACES £1,895
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£645
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Neil McMahon
TL Neil McMahon

Tour Leader: Neil McMahon

Neil McMahon grew up in Northamptonshire and, from a very young age, developed an interest in the natural world. His first love is the study and identification of wild birds and he enjoys the challenge of trying to identify birds by the way they move and act as well as by their calls and songs. His passion for bird and wildlife-watching has taken him all around the world and he's visited more than 50 countries. Neil is a retired Police Officer and, when not leading Naturetrek tours, spends much of his time completing various conservation and wildlife management surveys as well as volunteering for his local Wildlife Trust. He is also a licensed Bird Ringer and Trainer. During the winter months he maintains numerous wild bird feeding stations in central Northamptonshire and is a serving committee member of the Northants Bird Club.

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 21st Oct – Tue 27th Oct SPACES £1,895
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£645 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Flight-free Wildlife Holidays


At Naturetrek we make full use of the Eurostar rail service through the channel tunnel, and of the ferry routes between England’s south coast and France and Spain, to offer a range of ‘flightless’ wildlife holidays in Belgium, Holland, France and Spain. In addition, we also offer the widest selection of wildlife holidays within the UK, none of which require a flight to participate in. Therefore, if you prefer not to fly, for whatever reason, we have a range of varied and exciting wildlife holidays for you to choose from, and we are committed to regularly adding more.


It is also the case that many of our other holidays within Europe are also accessible by rail. Generally, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’d be pleased to offer advice to anybody who wishes to join any of our tours within Europe by a means other than flying!




Our specialist recommends...






"Our Picos & Plains tour offers an environmentally-friendly route down to Spain for some excellent birding and cetacean-watching. More broadly, we’re very keen for Naturetrek to offer the most dynamic, market-leading carbon-reduced holidays available, and we hope you enjoy browsing our list of no-flight wildlife holidays!” 

Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager




All No Flight Tours

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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