Wildlife Holidays in Scotland

One of the greatest joys of travel is experiencing a country through the eyes of the people who call it home. The conversations you have and the connections you make with locals can turn a simple visit into many meaningful experiences. From the beginning, Wilderness has cherished our local connections, working with an incredible network of local businesses throughout Scotland.

This means that on our wildlife tours, you’ll see Scotland from a local perspective and enjoy an immersive adventure that allows you to form a more genuine connection with the landscape, communities and people you visit. On many of our wildlife adventures, you’ll also enjoy meeting a variety of experts, from rangers working on RSPB Reserves to those who have committed to rewilding Scotland.

Our guides are not only experts in Scotland’s wildlife but also deeply knowledgeable about its history, culture, and ecosystems. With years of experience, they bring enthusiasm and insight to every trip. They possess an adept eye at pointing out small wildlife clues that others may miss, and whether identifying raptors in flight, explaining the delicate balance of a peat bog, or sharing stories of Scotland’s wild places, they are sure to elevate your trip.

Along with being warm, engaging, and knowledgeable, all our guides are professionals who prioritise the safety and well-being of every traveller. Always well-prepared and with strong support from our office team, our guides take care of every detail, meaning you are free to listen out for lapwings or watch the waves for whales.

Our brilliant guides’ ability to bring Scotland’s natural world to life ensures every trip is full of unforgettable experiences.

Scotland’s rich tapestry of history and culture is made vivid through the captivating storytelling and local knowledge of our guides. Whether recounting the sagas of ancient clans or sharing myths of mystical creatures that haunt both loch and glen, our guides enhance your understanding and connection to Scotland in a highly enjoyable and relaxing way.

Our guides are experts at reacting to and adapting plans where it may be advantageous for the group to do so. For example, should the weather change or an exciting opportunity present itself, they can easily adjust the day’s plan to ensure your experience remains seamless and enjoyable. This flexibility ensures that every day on your cycling holiday is maximised for adventure, allowing for spontaneity without compromising on the quality of the experience.

Our guides are outdoor experts and your Scottish hosts. Their goal is to ensure you get the absolute most out of your experience with us, which means ensuring you feel informed, relaxed, and happy for the duration of your adventure. From handling meal arrangements to managing transport and accommodation, every logistical detail is carefully coordinated so you can relax fully. Their thoughtful approach ensures that every element of your wildlife adventure runs smoothly, allowing you to focus entirely on enjoying your trip.

With a professional guide at the helm, you have the time, space and opportunity to immerse yourself fully in any one of our guided wildlife trips. From route planning to ensuring safety and comfort, your guide takes the stress out of decision-making. They know the best places to spot eagles, the best wet-weather alternatives, the most beautiful viewpoints, the cosiest cafes, the perfect place for hand-spun socks and whether the accommodation serves porridge and heather honey at breakfast. Our guides provide peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your time in Scotland as much as possible.

Our itineraries are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing us to cater to special interests and passions. Whether you’re an avid photographer wanting to capture Scotland’s landscapes or a history enthusiast keen on delving deeper into the past, we can adjust the schedule to accommodate your specific goals. This flexibility ensures that no two walking holidays are the same and that your experience aligns perfectly with your interests.

One of the defining features of our wildlife trips is the small group size. Small groups mean greater flexibility, and the camaraderie that forms often leads to a more rewarding experience.

With fewer participants, our guides can dedicate more time to each person, ensuring that everyone feels supported and able to engage deeply with the landscapes and wildlife stories shared along the way. Whether it’s patiently waiting for a glimpse of a golden eagle soaring above or quietly observing otters in their natural habitat, small groups allow for a more intimate and enriching wildlife experience.

From a safety perspective, small groups allow guides to easily monitor conditions and swiftly respond to any changes or needs. Transfers and logistics become smoother, too, allowing for seamless transitions between locations. We often find that guests keep in touch with each other after a trip has finished and sometimes return the following year with the same group for another adventure!

Scotland’s wildlife creates a consistent poetry that winds its way from coast to heath to hillside and is to be both treasured and protected. On the coast, above the crested waves, white-tailed eagles soar, known in Gaelic as iolaire sùil na grèineas – the eagle with the sunlit eye. Beneath the sea’s choppy, salty surface, grey seals glide through kelp forests, their eerie singing the source of much Scottish mythology.

Further inland, stags and hinds graze on moorland and mountainside, and the high piping call of a meadow bounces across the heather. Which hiking tour you choose and at what time of year you choose to travel will affect what animals and birds you are likely to see.

The Cairngorms National Park is an important place for wildlife and provides valuable habitat for roe deer, ptarmigan, pine martens, capercaillie and red squirrels. For those venturing to the Isle of Skye, the summer months bring the chance to spot golden eagles soaring above the Cuillin Hills, while seals can often be seen basking on the rocky shores near Dunvegan.

In the Outer Hebrides, autumn is a prime time to witness the migratory grey geese arriving, their raucous calls filling the skies over North Uist. Assynt, in the northwest, is home to red deer year-round, but in October, the hills echo with the sounds of rutting stags. The coastal cliffs of mainland Scotland host large colonies of seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes.

In spring, lucky hikers may even spot the elusive otter along riverbanks, such as those in Wester Ross, as they hunt for fish at dawn and dusk.