Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

I stayed at the Aigas Field Centre for a week with a foray from the Audubon Naturalist Society. I'd read books by Sir John Lister-Kaye and had been in Scotland before, so I had high hopes, but this place topped them all. The young Rangers who took us out each day knew all the birds, the mammals, and the geology. Beauty was everywhere, on the grounds of the House of Aigas and in the lovely Highlands country. I loved the focus on the landscape and the environment; I loved the historical aspects. I loved seeing the Scottish wildcats, red grouse, and a golden eagle feeding a weasel to its chicks. And I loved Sir John reading us "bedtime stories." Walking around the loch at Aigas with Warwick was a treat. Seeing the site of The Lord of the Isles on the Isle of Islay was a treat.The food, under the direction of Lady Lucy, was wonderful, and the solicitude for guest comfort was genuine and on-going. I'm now hoping I can return some day!
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cnabors2015

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cnabors2015

I stayed at the Aigas Field Centre for a week with a foray from the Audubon Naturalist Society. I'd read books by Sir John Lister-Kaye and had been in Scotland before, so I had high hopes, but this place topped them all. The young Rangers who took us out each day knew all the birds, the mammals, and the geology. Beauty was everywhere, on the grounds of the House of Aigas and in the lovely Highlands country. I loved the focus on the landscape and the environment; I loved the historical aspects. I loved seeing the Scottish wildcats, red grouse, and a golden eagle feeding a weasel to its chicks. And I loved Sir John reading us "bedtime stories." Walking around the loch at Aigas with Warwick was a treat. Seeing the site of The Lord of the Isles on the Isle of Islay was a treat.The food, under the direction of Lady Lucy, was wonderful, and the solicitude for guest comfort was genuine and on-going. I'm now hoping I can return some day!
We had a wonderful time at Aigas. I think I know a reasonable amount about wildlife in Scotland, but we saw things on this holiday that I have never seen before and am sure I would never have discovered myself (sea eagles, golden eagles, close up views of otters etc.). The dolphin watching trip was also by far the best one I have ever been on - and I have been on quite a few in various parts of the world. The rangers really know their stuff and are nice with it. The accommodation is good but not particularly luxurious. I was a bit nervous that we would be sharing our cabin with a stranger - but as there were three of us we had a two bed cabin to ourselves. Really we did not spend that much time there except for sleeping, as we were out and about all day and the meals were all served in the baronial hall of the main house. This was also fun - I wasn't sure how much I would like the social aspect of dining with other people - but in fact it was fun - we exchanged experiences with people from all walks of life and made some friends. The food was also very good. In short we had a great week. Nothing was too much for the staff (down to making a special vegan cake for afternoon tea for our vegan). I plan to go back next year and take my mum. One point to note about the wildlife week is that it doesn't require a huge amount of walking - so it would be fine for older people who love wildlife but aren't up for 5 mile hikes up mountains.
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Marion McCune

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Marion McCune

We had a wonderful time at Aigas. I think I know a reasonable amount about wildlife in Scotland, but we saw things on this holiday that I have never seen before and am sure I would never have discovered myself (sea eagles, golden eagles, close up views of otters etc.). The dolphin watching trip was also by far the best one I have ever been on - and I have been on quite a few in various parts of the world. The rangers really know their stuff and are nice with it. The accommodation is good but not particularly luxurious. I was a bit nervous that we would be sharing our cabin with a stranger - but as there were three of us we had a two bed cabin to ourselves. Really we did not spend that much time there except for sleeping, as we were out and about all day and the meals were all served in the baronial hall of the main house. This was also fun - I wasn't sure how much I would like the social aspect of dining with other people - but in fact it was fun - we exchanged experiences with people from all walks of life and made some friends. The food was also very good. In short we had a great week. Nothing was too much for the staff (down to making a special vegan cake for afternoon tea for our vegan). I plan to go back next year and take my mum. One point to note about the wildlife week is that it doesn't require a huge amount of walking - so it would be fine for older people who love wildlife but aren't up for 5 mile hikes up mountains.
We could not have asked for more from the moment we arrived unto we left, Aigas certainly lived up to its motto of nothing being too much trouble. Accommodation, food and the Rangers were excellent. The Nature photography course with Laurie Campbell was brilliant - better than we expected. Highly recommended.
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Sharon W

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Sharon W

We could not have asked for more from the moment we arrived unto we left, Aigas certainly lived up to its motto of nothing being too much trouble. Accommodation, food and the Rangers were excellent. The Nature photography course with Laurie Campbell was brilliant - better than we expected. Highly recommended.