Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

Stayed for a week on the wildlife week - and practically everything met or exceeded expectations - great experience. The area is rich in wildlife and had some great sightings, red squirrels are abundant and the photography hides for them ensure great views - the beavers were on show and with some persistence morning and evening showed including 2 kits - badger showed on 3 nights and pine martin on 2. A young tawny owl posed for a picture briefly too. The days out were good too - leisurely in pace, sight seeing including to the amazing dolphins on the coast. Recommend bringing own telescope if possible as whilst the rangers carry one, it saves sharing and some sightings are distant such as golden eagle and otter - the house does hire out binoculars though for a reasonable price. Slavonian grebes great to see on a loch not far away too. On this trip, no walking really far from vehicles but that suits of course those a little less mobile. . The rangers / guides are great, full of enthusiasm and do everything to make everyone's day as good as it can be - and some sharp naturalists there too including with the placement students. The rangers/guides are well connected and knew of a local eagle nest and other wildlife in the area. The garden's are lovely to walk round too for when one wants to relax on site. The directors gave tours of both the garden and the house. Suggest really talk to the centre pre your stay to ensure you get what you need - they have dogs around the house and common room but immediately offered to put them elsewhere if anyone allergic etc. The accommodation lodges was pleasant, a little tired in places but the site is coping with the covid pandemic and with staff recruitment challenges - but doing a great job. Just ask if anything you need and they really try to make a stay perfect. We asked for an extra night in the Campbell hide and we got 3 in total which was great. All in all a great week and great people, particularly the rangers/guides. Recommended to wildlife fans and of course if Scottish highlands combined with another interest such as whisky, walking, trees etc as per the itinerary is your interest.
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KevinA488

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KevinA488

Stayed for a week on the wildlife week - and practically everything met or exceeded expectations - great experience. The area is rich in wildlife and had some great sightings, red squirrels are abundant and the photography hides for them ensure great views - the beavers were on show and with some persistence morning and evening showed including 2 kits - badger showed on 3 nights and pine martin on 2. A young tawny owl posed for a picture briefly too. The days out were good too - leisurely in pace, sight seeing including to the amazing dolphins on the coast. Recommend bringing own telescope if possible as whilst the rangers carry one, it saves sharing and some sightings are distant such as golden eagle and otter - the house does hire out binoculars though for a reasonable price. Slavonian grebes great to see on a loch not far away too. On this trip, no walking really far from vehicles but that suits of course those a little less mobile. . The rangers / guides are great, full of enthusiasm and do everything to make everyone's day as good as it can be - and some sharp naturalists there too including with the placement students. The rangers/guides are well connected and knew of a local eagle nest and other wildlife in the area. The garden's are lovely to walk round too for when one wants to relax on site. The directors gave tours of both the garden and the house. Suggest really talk to the centre pre your stay to ensure you get what you need - they have dogs around the house and common room but immediately offered to put them elsewhere if anyone allergic etc. The accommodation lodges was pleasant, a little tired in places but the site is coping with the covid pandemic and with staff recruitment challenges - but doing a great job. Just ask if anything you need and they really try to make a stay perfect. We asked for an extra night in the Campbell hide and we got 3 in total which was great. All in all a great week and great people, particularly the rangers/guides. Recommended to wildlife fans and of course if Scottish highlands combined with another interest such as whisky, walking, trees etc as per the itinerary is your interest.
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.
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Gavin P

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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.
Just returned from the Wild Animals in a Highland Landscape week. I am delighted to say that the whole experience was so worthwhile. Aigas is like nowhere we have been before. You become totally absorbed in the rhythms and way of life at Aigas, and how Sir John and Lady Lucinda have turned what is essentially their home into a peaceful and welcoming retreat and educational centre, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. My partner was a little apprehensive that the other guests would be dedicated twitchers - there was certainly a lot of knowledge around the table, but people wanted to share their passions which was infectious, and it was a very friendly environment. Must mention the engaging Dr David - never thought bog myrtle and owl pellets could be so fascinating - and the rangers who are dedicated and enthusiastic. We saw all the wildlife we had hoped for, including dolphins, ospreys, red squirrels (outside our cabin) badger, beavers and pine martin, and some very beautiful parts of the Highlands. The programme is full on, but never rushed. The food was wonderful, and Lady Lucinda went out of her way to help when my boots disintegrated! All in all, a much needed chance to 'stand and stare', breath deeply in the clear air, and re-connect with the natural world.
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Jilliekins1954

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Jilliekins1954

Just returned from the Wild Animals in a Highland Landscape week. I am delighted to say that the whole experience was so worthwhile. Aigas is like nowhere we have been before. You become totally absorbed in the rhythms and way of life at Aigas, and how Sir John and Lady Lucinda have turned what is essentially their home into a peaceful and welcoming retreat and educational centre, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. My partner was a little apprehensive that the other guests would be dedicated twitchers - there was certainly a lot of knowledge around the table, but people wanted to share their passions which was infectious, and it was a very friendly environment. Must mention the engaging Dr David - never thought bog myrtle and owl pellets could be so fascinating - and the rangers who are dedicated and enthusiastic. We saw all the wildlife we had hoped for, including dolphins, ospreys, red squirrels (outside our cabin) badger, beavers and pine martin, and some very beautiful parts of the Highlands. The programme is full on, but never rushed. The food was wonderful, and Lady Lucinda went out of her way to help when my boots disintegrated! All in all, a much needed chance to 'stand and stare', breath deeply in the clear air, and re-connect with the natural world.