Programmes By Theme - Aigas Field Centre

Programmes By Theme

The Aigas season begins in April and will finish in October. We are running more programmes than ever to cater for a wide variety of interests. If you are interested in a specific theme, please scroll through the themes below to find your preferred area of interest and the courses we do that relate to it.

Click on the programme name below to see full details and to book.

Wildlife of Orkney

The Orkney Islands are home to a unique and abundant wildlife. This year we are running two Orkney weeks with slightly differing itineraries. This week will have more of a focus on wildlife, botany and birdlife, than historical and cultural…

29 May - 6 Jun 2026

Full Price: £3245

Deposit Required: £450

Bird Watching, Island Expeditions, Scenery, Scottish Wildlife

Autumn Birds

Autumn is one of the most exciting times during the birding calendar in the Scottish Highlands, as we begin to see new arrivals flooding back to the UK for winter. Our position on the East Atlantic Flyway means that…

27 Sep - 4 Oct 2025 - Fully Booked

Full Price: £1780

Deposit Required: £250

26 Sep - 3 Oct 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

Bird Watching, Scottish Wildlife

Summer Birds

The breeding season is well established, and we shall be looking for a full suite of nesting birds from the mountains right down to the sea. Raptors, especially osprey and golden eagle, will be hunting, with well grown chicks to…

30 May - 6 Jun 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

6 Jun - 13 Jun 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

Bird Watching, Scottish Wildlife

Gardens of the Highlands

With a special focus on some of the Highland’s most special gardens, both private and public, this programme has been designed by garden-lovers Lucy Lister-Kaye and Sue Pomeroy. Highlights include: Week long leadership from Sue Pomeroy, a longtime gardener and…

External Group Leaders, Gardens and Wildflowers, Scottish History

The Orkney Isles

The Orkney Islands are home to a unique and special blend of abundant wildlife and globally important historical sites. Making the best of the long summer days, this week will give you the opportunity to learn about and experience both…

26 Jun - 4 Jul 2026 - Fully Booked

Full Price: £3245

Deposit Required: £450

Bird Watching, Island Expeditions, Scenery, Scottish History, Scottish Wildlife

Gardens and Highland Homes

Specially designed by garden-lover Lucy Lister-Kaye, this programme visits some of our most spectacular local homes, both open to the public and private, with nearby gardens. This programme will be led jointly by guest leader Sue Pomeroy and Lady Lister-Kaye.…

20 Jun - 27 Jun 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

4 Jul - 11 Jul 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

Gardens and Wildflowers, External Group Leaders, Scottish History

Highland Landscapes with Jonathan Willet

The Highlands boasts some of the United Kingdom’s most diverse habitats and Aigas is situated in the perfect location to explore a wide range of environments. This programme will delve into a different habitat each day to revel in ancient…

12 Jul - 19 Jul 2025

Full Price: £1780

Deposit Required: £250

9 Aug - 16 Aug 2025

Full Price: £1780

Deposit Required: £250

11 Jul - 18 Jul 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

Scenery, External Group Leaders

Wildflowers and Gardens

Summer is upon us and the Highlands are in bloom. This exciting programme combines our stunning wildflowers which often flower well into July, found in equally stunning locations, and the Highland’s unique and varied gardens. We will explore the east…

12 Jul - 19 Jul 2025 - 1 Place Available

Full Price: £1795

Deposit Required: £250

11 Jul - 18 Jul 2026

Full Price: £1950

Deposit Required: £250

Gardens and Wildflowers

Wildflowers and Walking

Timed to match optimum flowering, this week combines gentle walks into the hills and glens to search for orchids, sundews and delicate moorland flowers like milkwort, tormentil and lousewort, as well as specialist rarities such a twinflower and one-flowered wintergreen,…

13 Jun - 20 Jun 2026

Full Price: £1960

Deposit Required: £250

Gardens and Wildflowers, External Group Leaders, Walking

Raptor Week – Eagles, Hawks and Harriers

This week will focus on finding the Highlands’ Birds of Prey. We will visit a range of habitats, each one suited to a specific array of raptors. This week-long experience will take you from the rugged west coast to the…

23 May - 30 May 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

6 Jun - 13 Jun 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

Bird Watching, Scottish Wildlife

The Outer Hebrides in Spring – North and South Uist

The Uists are alive with wildlife in spring, it is a time of change and new life. There are over 50 pairs of eagle, both golden and white-tailed, holding territory on the Uists, well into their breeding season by May.…

8 May - 16 May 2026 - 1 Place Available

Full Price: £3185

Deposit Required: £450

Bird Watching, External Group Leaders, Island Expeditions, Scenery, Scottish History, Scottish Wildlife

Spring Birds

Our Spring Birds programme offers an early morning visit 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…

18 Apr - 25 Apr 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

25 Apr - 2 May 2026

Full Price: £1980

Deposit Required: £250

Bird Watching

Highland Wildlife Art Course with Jackie Garner

With such a plethora of wildlife on the doorstep Aigas is ideally situated for a Highland Wildlife Art Course. We invite you to join Jackie Garner – one of the UK’s leading wildlife artists and author of The Wildlife Artist’s Handbook – on a…

27 Sep - 4 Oct 2025 - Fully Booked - Contact the Office to Book

Full Price: £1650

Deposit Required: £250

26 Sep - 3 Oct 2026

Full Price: £1950

Deposit Required: £250

Art Courses, External Group Leaders

Aigas Mini-Break

If a week-long programme won’t fit into your calendar, you can experience a little snapshot of what Aigas has to offer with a mini-break. Spending time on the estate is a delight with red squirrels running between the lodges, woodpeckers…

23 Aug - 27 Aug 2025

Full Price: £780

Deposit Required: £250

6 Sep - 10 Sep 2025

Full Price: £780

Deposit Required: £250

Scottish Wildlife, Bird Watching, Rest and Relaxation

I booked the walking with wildlife week in early June. I stayed in rustic,comfortable en suite log cabin in the grounds of the estate, you really felt close to nature. All the meals were served in the main family home a short walk from the cabins. The food is outstanding, breakfast is porridge, fruits cereal and toast. A packed lunch is supplied for the field trips and hot beverages are taken in the mini buses. The evening meal is a set meal and changed daily, there are alternatives and flexabilityfor those who have dietary needs. The house also has a common room for daily meetings coffee and tea, where most information can be obtained. There is also a natural history library and gift shop. The programme was flexible and allowed the group to stretch our legs on the hills and in the valleys around the locality. All walks were escorted by one or two rangers who had a keen eye for spotting wildlife and were very knowledgeable on local history, geology and the various branches of ecology they had studied. The wildlife we spotted was outstanding, well worth the visit. The local wild flowers were in bloom and several rare species were pointed out. A small lake is situated in the grounds along with hides in several locations, about 10 minutes walk from the cabins. We sat here and watch a Beaver for 30 minutes, something I never thought I would see in the UK. Also Pine martins and Red Squirrels. A great holiday with a lot packed in. It is well worth looking at the extensive programme on the web site to see which weeks activity best suits. The hosts and staff are wonderful, they cannot do enough to make your stay such a memorable experience.
read moreread less

Gavin P

×

Gavin P

I booked the walking with wildlife week in early June. I stayed in rustic,comfortable en suite log cabin in the grounds of the estate, you really felt close to nature. All the meals were served in the main family home a short walk from the cabins. The food is outstanding, breakfast is porridge, fruits cereal and toast. A packed lunch is supplied for the field trips and hot beverages are taken in the mini buses. The evening meal is a set meal and changed daily, there are alternatives and flexabilityfor those who have dietary needs. The house also has a common room for daily meetings coffee and tea, where most information can be obtained. There is also a natural history library and gift shop. The programme was flexible and allowed the group to stretch our legs on the hills and in the valleys around the locality. All walks were escorted by one or two rangers who had a keen eye for spotting wildlife and were very knowledgeable on local history, geology and the various branches of ecology they had studied. The wildlife we spotted was outstanding, well worth the visit. The local wild flowers were in bloom and several rare species were pointed out. A small lake is situated in the grounds along with hides in several locations, about 10 minutes walk from the cabins. We sat here and watch a Beaver for 30 minutes, something I never thought I would see in the UK. Also Pine martins and Red Squirrels. A great holiday with a lot packed in. It is well worth looking at the extensive programme on the web site to see which weeks activity best suits. The hosts and staff are wonderful, they cannot do enough to make your stay such a memorable experience.
I’ll start with a description of the individual elements of a stay at Aigas, with the caveat that the sum of each component, all excellent, doesn’t come close to approaching the whole. A stay at Aigas is a magical, unforgettable experience. The cabins are as they appear in photos. They are basic, sturdy, and well-maintained. They’re not charming; they aren’t beautifully decorated, but are simply and comfortably furnished and are immaculate. They are a short walk from the House. My cabin had two bedrooms, each with its own bath (tub/shower), separated by a large communal living area. I spent no time in my cabin, other than to sleep. If my week hadn’t been planned out, I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed downtime in the cabin, although the House’s inviting gathering room and library are open from 7:45 a.m. until around nine at night. The grounds and gardens are beautiful in design, perfectly maintained, and are extensive. They are themselves a reason for visiting, encompassing a large variety of named specimen trees, all labelled; long herbaceous borders; well-planted beds, and nature paths. The food is superb. There are no gimmicks—no dollops or swirls or foams or deconstructions, just simple food, locally sourced, exquisitely prepared. I was fortunate enough to have had seven dinners here, all perfect, including savory braised venison, and an impeccably roasted shoulder of lamb, accompanied by fresh, perfectly-prepared vegetables and other sides. The desserts and the “bakes” served at tea were all in-house made, and to die for. The owner, professionally trained, has written a cookbook, and I am certain could win The Great British Baking Show. Porridge for every breakfast was a bit tiring, but this may have been part of our contract/package. And, my pet peeve with almost every place in Europe is the lack of palatable artificial sweetener, and I had forgotten my Splenda stash. So, with daily porridge and no Splenda, breakfast was not my favorite meal here. As an example of their attention to detail and perfect hospitality, which I noted over and over again throughout my stay: they sent our tour leader a form on which our names were listed, requesting emergency contact information, allergies, special dietary needs, etc. The form also included space for “Comments.” Idly, I wrote in that I didn’t like salmon or trout. An hour or so after our arrival, we were seated for dinner, and plates of salmon began arriving. I figured I’d be served my plate of salmon, and it would have been no big deal—just not my favorite taste. I was amazed when one of the staff placed a delicious spinach frittata in front of me, calling me by name as she did so. And the next day, when everyone else was packing a lunch from a long table of salmon sandwiches, cheeses, fruit, etc., there was a personalized lunch bag for me, packed with a non-salmon sandwich. They really mean it when they say no request is too small. (I toyed with the idea of asking for Splenda, but there’s such a thing as being a good guest, and I felt I’d already gone too far indicating my dislike of salmon!!) The young rangers, all of whom are bright, earnest, knowledgeable and well-educated, were uniformly a joy to travel with. They drove us all over the Highlands. They took detours to show us a treasured view. Fund of knowledge excellent. On our last night, they organized a Cèilidh, a Highlands evening of poetry reading, music, and dancing; and they were genuine in their enjoyment of an evening spent with us. The hosts, Sir John and Lady Lucy were warm, concerned, and define hospitality. Lady Lucy is among the most wonderful women I have ever met. I was with a group of twenty like-minded intense garden lovers. I see on the web site that they sponsor days to weeks of special interest/themed stays, providing a base for artists and their students, photographers and their students, and various enthusiasts. During our week there were two different couples each staying a night or two. I’m not sure I would have had the same experience staying here as the primary purpose instead of using it as a base for forays around the Highlands (with the caveat that I am not a fan of long, restful, idle vacations). I think the family is wise not to have the property listed on TripAdvisor or other sites as a lodging. A photo of the rustic cabins would mislead/prejudice a casual seeker of a place to stay in the Highlands. My take-home is that this is a stellar experience, run by a family passionately committed to their ideals. They promote a good life. They promote love of the environment and an intense devotion to conserving what we have. They have brought thousands of children to their learning center for hands-on teaching of environmental conservation, believing strongly in inculcating young minds with a love of nature, and the environment.
read moreread less

tonymsrad

×

tonymsrad

I’ll start with a description of the individual elements of a stay at Aigas, with the caveat that the sum of each component, all excellent, doesn’t come close to approaching the whole. A stay at Aigas is a magical, unforgettable experience. The cabins are as they appear in photos. They are basic, sturdy, and well-maintained. They’re not charming; they aren’t beautifully decorated, but are simply and comfortably furnished and are immaculate. They are a short walk from the House. My cabin had two bedrooms, each with its own bath (tub/shower), separated by a large communal living area. I spent no time in my cabin, other than to sleep. If my week hadn’t been planned out, I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed downtime in the cabin, although the House’s inviting gathering room and library are open from 7:45 a.m. until around nine at night. The grounds and gardens are beautiful in design, perfectly maintained, and are extensive. They are themselves a reason for visiting, encompassing a large variety of named specimen trees, all labelled; long herbaceous borders; well-planted beds, and nature paths. The food is superb. There are no gimmicks—no dollops or swirls or foams or deconstructions, just simple food, locally sourced, exquisitely prepared. I was fortunate enough to have had seven dinners here, all perfect, including savory braised venison, and an impeccably roasted shoulder of lamb, accompanied by fresh, perfectly-prepared vegetables and other sides. The desserts and the “bakes” served at tea were all in-house made, and to die for. The owner, professionally trained, has written a cookbook, and I am certain could win The Great British Baking Show. Porridge for every breakfast was a bit tiring, but this may have been part of our contract/package. And, my pet peeve with almost every place in Europe is the lack of palatable artificial sweetener, and I had forgotten my Splenda stash. So, with daily porridge and no Splenda, breakfast was not my favorite meal here. As an example of their attention to detail and perfect hospitality, which I noted over and over again throughout my stay: they sent our tour leader a form on which our names were listed, requesting emergency contact information, allergies, special dietary needs, etc. The form also included space for “Comments.” Idly, I wrote in that I didn’t like salmon or trout. An hour or so after our arrival, we were seated for dinner, and plates of salmon began arriving. I figured I’d be served my plate of salmon, and it would have been no big deal—just not my favorite taste. I was amazed when one of the staff placed a delicious spinach frittata in front of me, calling me by name as she did so. And the next day, when everyone else was packing a lunch from a long table of salmon sandwiches, cheeses, fruit, etc., there was a personalized lunch bag for me, packed with a non-salmon sandwich. They really mean it when they say no request is too small. (I toyed with the idea of asking for Splenda, but there’s such a thing as being a good guest, and I felt I’d already gone too far indicating my dislike of salmon!!) The young rangers, all of whom are bright, earnest, knowledgeable and well-educated, were uniformly a joy to travel with. They drove us all over the Highlands. They took detours to show us a treasured view. Fund of knowledge excellent. On our last night, they organized a Cèilidh, a Highlands evening of poetry reading, music, and dancing; and they were genuine in their enjoyment of an evening spent with us. The hosts, Sir John and Lady Lucy were warm, concerned, and define hospitality. Lady Lucy is among the most wonderful women I have ever met. I was with a group of twenty like-minded intense garden lovers. I see on the web site that they sponsor days to weeks of special interest/themed stays, providing a base for artists and their students, photographers and their students, and various enthusiasts. During our week there were two different couples each staying a night or two. I’m not sure I would have had the same experience staying here as the primary purpose instead of using it as a base for forays around the Highlands (with the caveat that I am not a fan of long, restful, idle vacations). I think the family is wise not to have the property listed on TripAdvisor or other sites as a lodging. A photo of the rustic cabins would mislead/prejudice a casual seeker of a place to stay in the Highlands. My take-home is that this is a stellar experience, run by a family passionately committed to their ideals. They promote a good life. They promote love of the environment and an intense devotion to conserving what we have. They have brought thousands of children to their learning center for hands-on teaching of environmental conservation, believing strongly in inculcating young minds with a love of nature, and the environment.
it was with trepidation that I embarked on my first solo holiday. I needn't have worried as I barely realised I was on my own. I saw British wildlife up close without the intrusive element I had feared. I saw birds that I had not seen before. The guides were all so enthusiastic and knowledgable and every moment of the day from early morning till late at night is potentially filled with activity if that's what you want. A truly memorable stay in a beautiful place hosted by a wonderful family.
read moreread less

TerriWD

×

TerriWD

it was with trepidation that I embarked on my first solo holiday. I needn't have worried as I barely realised I was on my own. I saw British wildlife up close without the intrusive element I had feared. I saw birds that I had not seen before. The guides were all so enthusiastic and knowledgable and every moment of the day from early morning till late at night is potentially filled with activity if that's what you want. A truly memorable stay in a beautiful place hosted by a wonderful family.