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 your holiday with us is dependant on dates, please search the calendar below to find out what is on during your preferred dates. Alternatively, you might like to look at a tailormade holiday and create your own itinerary.
For enquiries about the upcoming season, or an existing booking this year, please contact the office for more information. We may have some availability this summer which is not shown here.
Please note that programmes that are fully booked will not be shown in this calendar. If you wish to enquire about a fully booked programme, please contact the office.
Click on the programme name below to see full details and book.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the Wildlife programme we'd booked on - the weather didn't look good and much of the wildlife we wanted to see was known to be elusive at the best of times. But thanks to the expertise, diligence and sheer overwhelming enthusiasm of the rangers - and I'd pick out Imogen and George as the ones who found us otters, sea eagles, golden eagles and a merlin - we saw everything we hoped for and more. The trips out to the west coast, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and up a number of the straths all bought new sightings but also new insights as the wildlife and flora were pointed out and explained. We rode next to leaping dolphins and diving sdeabirds in the Cromarty Firth. And there was no pretending to know things they didn't - if they didn't know they looked it up and told us later. From the hides at Aigas we saw pine marten, badger and beavers, as well as woodpeckers, owls, voles and many other species. But Aigas isn't just about the wildlife - it's about the hospitality in the comfortable lodges and then the house, with its stunning dining room and food that matches the surroundings. We didn't have a disappointing meal, Lucy provided great buffet lunches and superb dinners, from which I'd pick out the home-made soups as just outstanding, especially the spinach and lemon. To add to it all we have a great introductory talk by John Lister-Kaye, studded with jewels of poetry and prose to explain his love of nature and why he started Aigas. Even better was the finale on Friday night, when he read to the groups from his own and others' writings on the natural world - a great speaker and reader who imbues each word with meaning and feeling. If there is a criticism it is that there is a lot to do and perhaps too little time to explore the grounds at Aigas - but everything we did was worth doing. If you like your hide visits to be quiet and studious, as do I, perhaps you might want to check to see that you are there when there isn't a large American group around. They were lovely people but apt to talk constantly in the hides.. But this did not detract seriously from a fantastic week, though.
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Keith S
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Keith S
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the Wildlife programme we'd booked on - the weather didn't look good and much of the wildlife we wanted to see was known to be elusive at the best of times. But thanks to the expertise, diligence and sheer overwhelming enthusiasm of the rangers - and I'd pick out Imogen and George as the ones who found us otters, sea eagles, golden eagles and a merlin - we saw everything we hoped for and more. The trips out to the west coast, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and up a number of the straths all bought new sightings but also new insights as the wildlife and flora were pointed out and explained. We rode next to leaping dolphins and diving sdeabirds in the Cromarty Firth. And there was no pretending to know things they didn't - if they didn't know they looked it up and told us later. From the hides at Aigas we saw pine marten, badger and beavers, as well as woodpeckers, owls, voles and many other species. But Aigas isn't just about the wildlife - it's about the hospitality in the comfortable lodges and then the house, with its stunning dining room and food that matches the surroundings. We didn't have a disappointing meal, Lucy provided great buffet lunches and superb dinners, from which I'd pick out the home-made soups as just outstanding, especially the spinach and lemon. To add to it all we have a great introductory talk by John Lister-Kaye, studded with jewels of poetry and prose to explain his love of nature and why he started Aigas. Even better was the finale on Friday night, when he read to the groups from his own and others' writings on the natural world - a great speaker and reader who imbues each word with meaning and feeling. If there is a criticism it is that there is a lot to do and perhaps too little time to explore the grounds at Aigas - but everything we did was worth doing. If you like your hide visits to be quiet and studious, as do I, perhaps you might want to check to see that you are there when there isn't a large American group around. They were lovely people but apt to talk constantly in the hides.. But this did not detract seriously from a fantastic week, though.
Staying in the grounds of Aigas House is a wildlife treat in itself. The accommodation in timber lodges and surrounded by beautiful scenery was only the start. The young team of rangers were well organised, cheerful and extremely knowlegable about the local wildlife and history of the region. They made each daily outing a fascinating event. Rather than being on the fringes of hospitality, Sir John and Lady Lucy were very much in evidence each day to ensure we were well fed and part of the 'house party' atmosphere of their beautiful home. I certainly hope to return and thought it was worth every penny of the not insignificant holiday cost.
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Val H
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Val H
Staying in the grounds of Aigas House is a wildlife treat in itself. The accommodation in timber lodges and surrounded by beautiful scenery was only the start. The young team of rangers were well organised, cheerful and extremely knowlegable about the local wildlife and history of the region. They made each daily outing a fascinating event. Rather than being on the fringes of hospitality, Sir John and Lady Lucy were very much in evidence each day to ensure we were well fed and part of the 'house party' atmosphere of their beautiful home. I certainly hope to return and thought it was worth every penny of the not insignificant holiday cost.
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.
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