Forever sightings
For any wildlife enthusiast your first sighting is something that will stay with you for a long time – sometimes forever. I knew my academic placement year would create a lot of fond memories but prior to arriving at Aigas…
'Scotland's Best Nature Based Experience'
Year of Natural Scotland Thistle Awards
Category The Aigas Experience
Aigas is a home away from home…
Moving over 550 miles away from my home in Wales to live and work in the Scottish Highlands for a year was no small feat, but everything was made smooth by the welcoming environment created by the Lister-Kaye family for…
It’s a Duck’s Life
When we think of Aigas birdlife, we tend to think of ospreys, crested tits, crossbills and red kites, but for many of our visitors it is Lady Lucy’s fowl and poultry collection that captures their affection. Her guinea fowl act…
The Old Man of Storr
On a chilly weekend before Christmas, our Academic Placements, Eliane, Josephine and Lucy, decided to wake up very early (against their better judgement) to go and explore the Old Man of Storr in the north of the Isle of Skye.…
-
I was here with a tour group for a week and cannot sing the praises of the environmental education program offered here. If you are looking for the best program on the West Highlands with top notch rangers as guides on history, archaeology, restoration, glorious gardens to stroll through, excellent meals and a location that blends all of the importance of the West Highlands together, Aigas is the best choice.read moreread lessChristine W×Christine WI was here with a tour group for a week and cannot sing the praises of the environmental education program offered here. If you are looking for the best program on the West Highlands with top notch rangers as guides on history, archaeology, restoration, glorious gardens to stroll through, excellent meals and a location that blends all of the importance of the West Highlands together, Aigas is the best choice. -
We were impressed by the tranquil beauty of the Aigas property, a carefully restored Victorian estate and gardens. On our arrival, we received a warm greeting by the owners, Sir John and Lady Lucinda Lister-Kaye and their professional team of highly trained, good-humoured rangers. The delicious, plentiful meals and afternoon tea in the Great Hall of their mansion were wonderful; however, what we most appreciated was their commitment to enhance our knowledge of conservation, environmental issues, and the native wildlife and flora. The day trips afforded us a marvellous opportunity to learn about the geology and history of the Highlands. These were enhanced by evening lectures by Sir John and his team; visits to the blinds to see the badgers, re-introduced European beavers, and rare Scottish wildcats. We also enjoyed Sir John's historical house tour, the traditional music, and a magical evening of story telling. Perhaps our best day was spent with Sir John's son, Warwick, who normally devotes his time to managing Aigas. His knowledge of the local wildflowers, birds, and mammals in the nearby lochs and hills was astonishing: we watched golden eagles circling above the mountain summits; we saw the silhouettes of, native red deer stags on the hilltops, and watched peregrine falcon juveniles try their wings by targeting a fleeing kestral. We particularly appreciated the Aigas team's passion and commitment to environmental education, as well as their sensitivity and concern for people and this vulnerable planet. I admire their ethics, generosity and kindness toward their guests. We intend to return to this top calibre facility, which exceeded all of our expectations.read moreread lessLaura288×Laura288We were impressed by the tranquil beauty of the Aigas property, a carefully restored Victorian estate and gardens. On our arrival, we received a warm greeting by the owners, Sir John and Lady Lucinda Lister-Kaye and their professional team of highly trained, good-humoured rangers. The delicious, plentiful meals and afternoon tea in the Great Hall of their mansion were wonderful; however, what we most appreciated was their commitment to enhance our knowledge of conservation, environmental issues, and the native wildlife and flora. The day trips afforded us a marvellous opportunity to learn about the geology and history of the Highlands. These were enhanced by evening lectures by Sir John and his team; visits to the blinds to see the badgers, re-introduced European beavers, and rare Scottish wildcats. We also enjoyed Sir John's historical house tour, the traditional music, and a magical evening of story telling. Perhaps our best day was spent with Sir John's son, Warwick, who normally devotes his time to managing Aigas. His knowledge of the local wildflowers, birds, and mammals in the nearby lochs and hills was astonishing: we watched golden eagles circling above the mountain summits; we saw the silhouettes of, native red deer stags on the hilltops, and watched peregrine falcon juveniles try their wings by targeting a fleeing kestral. We particularly appreciated the Aigas team's passion and commitment to environmental education, as well as their sensitivity and concern for people and this vulnerable planet. I admire their ethics, generosity and kindness toward their guests. We intend to return to this top calibre facility, which exceeded all of our expectations.
-
Aigas is such a special place: I first heard of it through reading Song of the Rolling Earth - a gift from a friend - and was determined to go there one day and I spent a week there in early June. I loved the whole ambience, the food, the warmth, the accommodation etc, and was impressed with the enthusiasm and knowledge of the rangers. It was a pleasure to meet Sir John and Lady Lucy Lister Kaye who have made Aigas into a home from home for their guests. I am no expert in the field of wildlife/conservation but I am very interested and I learned a lot from the rangers and from my companions (i.e. the other guests!). I was not quite as dedicated as some of the other guests in getting up early/staying up half the night but I saw otters, pine marten, golden eagles, hares, cuckoos and a red squirrel, to mention but a few, plus I'm beginning to identify many more birds, some of which I'd never even heard of before! I loved it and hope to return before too long.read moreread lessrgt320×rgt320Aigas is such a special place: I first heard of it through reading Song of the Rolling Earth - a gift from a friend - and was determined to go there one day and I spent a week there in early June. I loved the whole ambience, the food, the warmth, the accommodation etc, and was impressed with the enthusiasm and knowledge of the rangers. It was a pleasure to meet Sir John and Lady Lucy Lister Kaye who have made Aigas into a home from home for their guests. I am no expert in the field of wildlife/conservation but I am very interested and I learned a lot from the rangers and from my companions (i.e. the other guests!). I was not quite as dedicated as some of the other guests in getting up early/staying up half the night but I saw otters, pine marten, golden eagles, hares, cuckoos and a red squirrel, to mention but a few, plus I'm beginning to identify many more birds, some of which I'd never even heard of before! I loved it and hope to return before too long.