Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

I returned to Aigas for the fourth time for the Monarchs of the Glen programme and it was a wonderful experience in the true sense of the word. I have previously been on the Wildlife Weeks in three different seasons and thoroughly enjoyed them, so thought a programme with a more specific focus would be interesting. Our tour leader, Dr David Dixon, was a pleasure to be with: full of fascinating information about a huge variety of wildlife, well beyond the deer we had gone to see. We had excellent talks from David, Sir John and Jeff Dymond, an experienced deer stalker, that enhanced the sightings we had of red and roe deer enormously. Supporting this was the brilliant Aigas experience: the welcome, the food and the baronial hall in which it's eaten, the comfortable and warm (even when it dropped to minus 4) lodges, the spectacular highland scenery and wildlife on the estate and, of course, the people. They are what really make Aigas the place I go back to again and again. Guests temporarily become part of an extended family and every effort is made to deal with special requests. The rangers are incredibly knowledgable and a pleasure to spend time with; their enthusiasm for what they are showing you is infectious. Anyone who watched Autumnwatch will be aware of the variety of wildlife on the estate - beavers, pine martens, badgers, red squirrels and probably thousands of birds - and the days out cover a variety of different habitats and their inhabitants. A couple of people I've recommended Aigas too have said it looks expensive. It's not a bargain break but once you've paid there's no need (and few opportunities) to spend any more money: all food and drinks with dinner is included. Add to this the expertise of the rangers all day and on several evenings and I think it's worth every penny. On the long train journey back to London, we were trying to think of one thing that would make an Aigas holiday better. The only idea we came up with was more hours in the day so that you could see more - and find some time to sleep!
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LondonRuby

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LondonRuby

I returned to Aigas for the fourth time for the Monarchs of the Glen programme and it was a wonderful experience in the true sense of the word. I have previously been on the Wildlife Weeks in three different seasons and thoroughly enjoyed them, so thought a programme with a more specific focus would be interesting. Our tour leader, Dr David Dixon, was a pleasure to be with: full of fascinating information about a huge variety of wildlife, well beyond the deer we had gone to see. We had excellent talks from David, Sir John and Jeff Dymond, an experienced deer stalker, that enhanced the sightings we had of red and roe deer enormously. Supporting this was the brilliant Aigas experience: the welcome, the food and the baronial hall in which it's eaten, the comfortable and warm (even when it dropped to minus 4) lodges, the spectacular highland scenery and wildlife on the estate and, of course, the people. They are what really make Aigas the place I go back to again and again. Guests temporarily become part of an extended family and every effort is made to deal with special requests. The rangers are incredibly knowledgable and a pleasure to spend time with; their enthusiasm for what they are showing you is infectious. Anyone who watched Autumnwatch will be aware of the variety of wildlife on the estate - beavers, pine martens, badgers, red squirrels and probably thousands of birds - and the days out cover a variety of different habitats and their inhabitants. A couple of people I've recommended Aigas too have said it looks expensive. It's not a bargain break but once you've paid there's no need (and few opportunities) to spend any more money: all food and drinks with dinner is included. Add to this the expertise of the rangers all day and on several evenings and I think it's worth every penny. On the long train journey back to London, we were trying to think of one thing that would make an Aigas holiday better. The only idea we came up with was more hours in the day so that you could see more - and find some time to sleep!
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.
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Laura288

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Laura288

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.
We spent seven days in June on the Aigas Wildlife Holiday. A very full week which gave a taste of all that the Highlands have to offer including East and West Coast, mountains, lochs, rivers forests and glens. We were able to see dolphins, otters, beavers, pine martens, red deer, eagles, ospreys and many other birds and mammals. Our accommodation was very comfortable and we received a warm welcome from all the Aigas staff. Meals were superb and plentiful. All the rangers were very knowledgeable in their field and made the trip not only enjoyable but very informative. The Aigas Estate itself was a truly magical place to visit. The downside was that the week was over far too quickly.
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MicknCatherine

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MicknCatherine

We spent seven days in June on the Aigas Wildlife Holiday. A very full week which gave a taste of all that the Highlands have to offer including East and West Coast, mountains, lochs, rivers forests and glens. We were able to see dolphins, otters, beavers, pine martens, red deer, eagles, ospreys and many other birds and mammals. Our accommodation was very comfortable and we received a warm welcome from all the Aigas staff. Meals were superb and plentiful. All the rangers were very knowledgeable in their field and made the trip not only enjoyable but very informative. The Aigas Estate itself was a truly magical place to visit. The downside was that the week was over far too quickly.