Archives: Programmes

[envira-gallery id="3929"] This popular week is inspired by John Lister-Kaye’s book, Nature’s Child, which is a meditation on the delights of sharing nature with his youngest daughter Hermione. He fondly recalls those ‘fat Arcadian, literally wonder-full years of childhood,’ which usher back memories of his own childhood and the elation of simple discovery. This week is ideal for busy parents or grandparents who want to spend some quality time with their children or grandchildren, learning and exploring the countryside together in a fun, relaxed and enjoyable environment and once you are here you won’t have to organise a thing. We have put together a programme of discovery and enjoyment in a variety of local habitats and places of interest. Highlights include: Exploration of the Aigas estate with
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This week we focus on the smaller species living alongside us in the Highlands, visiting a variety of the best wildlife habitats the Highlands have to offer. Each day will vary from the next - from searching the sheltered pools of a pinewood forest to exploring coastal heath.  Methods such as moth trapping, sweep netting and pond dipping will give you a close look at some complex and extraordinary species, and a series of illustrated talks will be on offer to guide you through the life cycles of these fascinating creatures. [envira-gallery id="2323"]

Trees are simply astonishing, and there’s much more to them than meets the eye. Join naturalist Dan Puplett for a deep dive into their world. Discover the fascinating role they play in the lives of wildlife and the wider ecosystem, from birds to beetles and ferns to fungi. You will learn to identify a range of native trees and we will visit woodland conservation and rewilding projects. We will also look at the age-old relationship between trees and humans. You’ll even learn some wild food foraging, tree folklore and more! [envira-gallery id="3669"] Highlights • Exploring the Caledonian pinewoods of Glen Affric and Beinn Eighe • Meet Britain’s tallest tree (and Europe’s tallest conifer) • Watching woodland wildlife, including badgers, red squirrels and pine martens • Visits to
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Our Spring Bird programme offers early morning visits to watch lekking black grouse at our local RSPB reserve. We bid farewell to thousands of pink-footed and greylag geese, ducks and waders and welcome back ospreys, cuckoos, wheatears, whinchats and many other summering birds. The coast will be bustling with wildfowl and waders while the woods and moorland will echo with bird song. Tits, finches, chats and warblers are all showing wonderfully well in breeding plumage, just before the burst of leaves in the trees. With luck we could see large numbers of long-tailed duck close inshore and get good views of elusive species such as hen harrier, purple sandpiper and twite. [envira-gallery id="3129"]

Each week will be based at Aigas and will spend six full days (7 nights) exploring the stunning hills, glens, forests, coasts and marshes of the Highlands producing breathtaking encounters with eagles, pine martens, otters, black throated divers, deer, crossbills, badgers and much more. Programmes shift with the turning season, specialising on whatever aspect of wildlife is current. Our highly trained and qualified rangers will escort you in small groups to share the wonders of the wild Highlands. All Aigas Wildlife guests will enjoy an optimal number of eight guests to one ranger both in the field and on the road. Highlights include: Evening pine marten and badger watches in our own hides. Caledonian pine forest – red squirrel, crossbills and crested tits. A dawn run to
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[envira-gallery id="3858"] After listening to many of our guest’s suggestions, we have created Aigas Retreat – a week-long programme for those who would just like to chill out at Aigas, enjoy the nature trails, wildlife hides and gardens on the estate. There will be several ranger-led outings to local sites such as the our local village, Beauly, the historic Erchless Motte and Glen Strathfarrar. Our rangers will be available to lead walks on the estate, set up moth traps and host hide visits. If you have a specific interest or request, please let us know about it!

Each week will be based at Aigas and will spend six full days (7 nights) exploring the stunning hills, glens, forests, coasts and marshes of the Highlands producing breathtaking encounters with eagles, pine martens, otters, black throated divers, deer, crossbills, badgers and much more. Programmes shift with the turning season, specialising on whatever aspect of wildlife is current. Our highly trained and qualified rangers will escort you in small groups to share the wonders of the wild Highlands. All Aigas Wildlife guests will enjoy an optimal number of eight guests to one ranger both in the field and on the road. Highlights include: Evening pine marten and badger watches in our own hides. Caledonian pine forest – red squirrel, crossbills and crested tits. A dawn run to
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Each week will be based at Aigas and will spend six full days (7 nights) exploring the stunning hills, glens, forests, coasts and marshes of the Highlands producing breathtaking encounters with eagles, pine martens, otters, black throated divers, deer, crossbills, badgers and much more. Programmes shift with the turning season, specialising on whatever aspect of wildlife is current. Our highly trained and qualified rangers will escort you in small groups to share the wonders of the wild Highlands. All Aigas Wildlife guests will enjoy an optimal number of eight guests to one ranger both in the field and on the road. Highlights include: Evening pine marten and badger watches in our own hides. Caledonian pine forest – crossbills, crested tits, brilliant wildflowers in season – twin flower,
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More and more of our guests express the desire for longer walks in the stunning surrounding scenery. We are now offering more walking programmes than ever before. Striding out on long but low level walks, we will explore coastlines and rivers, through glens and around lochs. We will avoid all but gentle and short inclines. Destinations may include the remarkable spit of Chanonry Point where bottlenose dolphins are often seen, the shores of Loch Fleet or the remnant ancient Caledonian pine forest in Glen Affric National Nature Reserve, averaging five miles per day. Each day is led by an Aigas ranger. With such a variety of habitats covered, the species list will be rich and varied, from waders and sea ducks, seals dolphins and otters to golden
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Experience a little snapshot of what Aigas has to offer with an Aigas Wildlife short stay. This includes: Three days, four nights (dinner, bed, breakfast and packed lunches) A morning exploring Aigas with a ranger. An afternoon exploring Aigas on your own - spending time in the hides and walking the nature trails. Two full days out with a ranger to look for local wildlife. An evening hide visit to try and spot pine martens and badgers. An early morning drive to find otters on the Beauly Firth.