Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

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.
I concur with the praise from others for the standard week at Aigas. This is a special place. Every interaction with the staff at all levels was wonderful: * office staff -- Sheila and Marjorie * the rangers -- knowledgeable, cheerful, resourceful * the owners -- Sir John and Lady Lucy * even the kitchen staff (sorry I did not learn their names) We chose to extend our stay and do an extra day after the Highland House Party. They assigned ranger Jenny as our guide. She met with us a few times early in the week to understand what we were looking for. She came back with a proposal to go to the Cairngorms Mountain area. This was not on our itinerary for Highland House party, so we were pleased to see another part of Scotland. The 2 main attractions that she chose for us were: * Highland Folk Museum -- contains a 1700s village that was used for several scenes in Outlander -- really fascinating. This place also contains history and culture from other historic eras, but we did not take the time to see it all -- more for the next trip. * Cairngorms Mountain ski area -- this time of year covered with pink and purple heather in bloom. It is also a good spot for the Ring Ouzel -- a bird that we did not manage to see earlier in the trip. We found out that Jenny had spent the previous day scouting out the route -- checking timings, and toilet stops. That is emblematic for the level attention to detail to get when booking a trip at Aigas. Come and experience the joy.
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Shakespeare_Fan

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Shakespeare_Fan

I concur with the praise from others for the standard week at Aigas. This is a special place. Every interaction with the staff at all levels was wonderful: * office staff -- Sheila and Marjorie * the rangers -- knowledgeable, cheerful, resourceful * the owners -- Sir John and Lady Lucy * even the kitchen staff (sorry I did not learn their names) We chose to extend our stay and do an extra day after the Highland House Party. They assigned ranger Jenny as our guide. She met with us a few times early in the week to understand what we were looking for. She came back with a proposal to go to the Cairngorms Mountain area. This was not on our itinerary for Highland House party, so we were pleased to see another part of Scotland. The 2 main attractions that she chose for us were: * Highland Folk Museum -- contains a 1700s village that was used for several scenes in Outlander -- really fascinating. This place also contains history and culture from other historic eras, but we did not take the time to see it all -- more for the next trip. * Cairngorms Mountain ski area -- this time of year covered with pink and purple heather in bloom. It is also a good spot for the Ring Ouzel -- a bird that we did not manage to see earlier in the trip. We found out that Jenny had spent the previous day scouting out the route -- checking timings, and toilet stops. That is emblematic for the level attention to detail to get when booking a trip at Aigas. Come and experience the joy.
This was our 3rd visit to Aigas. We stayed in a warm, comfortable wooden lodge complete with bathroom and kitchenette, which had a fridge and drink making facilities. There was a lounge within the lodge but we didn't have time to use it. Our meals were taken together in the House of Aigas a Victorian Hunting lodge. The food was great. Although a set menu for each day, any special diet requirements were catered for. My vegetarian food was very good and I particularly enjoyed the vegetarian Haggis. My husband enjoyed all of his 'set' menu, eating every scrap. Lady Lucy Lister-Kaye is lovely, down to earth and very charming. She supervised the meals and even served the porridge several mornings. The food was plentiful and the 4.30pm daily tea and home made cake was very popular. This was also provided on field trips which were not expected to return to Aigas in time. Each Aigias week can have several themed holidays running at once. I did Laurie Campbell's Photography master class. Which allowed a total of 6 guests on the course. With his 30yrs as a leading Scottish Wildlife Photographer, he is a Master of his subject. I have done 2 previous, more basic Laurie courses at Aigas and whatever your skill levels, you will learn plenty from him and get some cracking photographs! While I was doing this course, my husband was doing 'Monarchs of the Glen'. We have both done this on a previous holiday and he still enjoyed it. His guest guide was Dr. David Dixon, who is a lovely, friendly chap and a fountain of knowledge about anything to do with wildlife. The Wildlife is great. The Aigas Loch has its own Beaver family. These are nocturnal and although they could be seen briefly, going back to their lodge at day break, the viewsof them are much better on a Spring holiday. The comfortable, warm hides at Aigas gave splendid views of pinemartin and badger and the spot light allows you to get photographs from the hides. The friendly, highly trained rangers who accompany you on the field trips are good at spotting wildlife and we saw all the iconic Scottish wildlife like red deer, golden eagles and feral goats. Laurie took our group to the Caingorms one day and we spent hours with the reindeer herd taking photographs. They are such gentle animals. We have previously stayed at Aigas for 2 weeks each holiday, this year we only stayed one week, spending the first week on Mull (also very good for wild life) I cannot say whether Spring or Autumn is the best time to go to Aigas. We have stayed both. Spring has the advantage of longer day light hours to view the wild life, but October has the lovely autumn colours. We haven't had midges at either of these times I am glad to say. Will be happy to go again. Although the prices may look a little expensive, everything is included and I feel well worth the money.
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Lynne H

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Lynne H

This was our 3rd visit to Aigas. We stayed in a warm, comfortable wooden lodge complete with bathroom and kitchenette, which had a fridge and drink making facilities. There was a lounge within the lodge but we didn't have time to use it. Our meals were taken together in the House of Aigas a Victorian Hunting lodge. The food was great. Although a set menu for each day, any special diet requirements were catered for. My vegetarian food was very good and I particularly enjoyed the vegetarian Haggis. My husband enjoyed all of his 'set' menu, eating every scrap. Lady Lucy Lister-Kaye is lovely, down to earth and very charming. She supervised the meals and even served the porridge several mornings. The food was plentiful and the 4.30pm daily tea and home made cake was very popular. This was also provided on field trips which were not expected to return to Aigas in time. Each Aigias week can have several themed holidays running at once. I did Laurie Campbell's Photography master class. Which allowed a total of 6 guests on the course. With his 30yrs as a leading Scottish Wildlife Photographer, he is a Master of his subject. I have done 2 previous, more basic Laurie courses at Aigas and whatever your skill levels, you will learn plenty from him and get some cracking photographs! While I was doing this course, my husband was doing 'Monarchs of the Glen'. We have both done this on a previous holiday and he still enjoyed it. His guest guide was Dr. David Dixon, who is a lovely, friendly chap and a fountain of knowledge about anything to do with wildlife. The Wildlife is great. The Aigas Loch has its own Beaver family. These are nocturnal and although they could be seen briefly, going back to their lodge at day break, the viewsof them are much better on a Spring holiday. The comfortable, warm hides at Aigas gave splendid views of pinemartin and badger and the spot light allows you to get photographs from the hides. The friendly, highly trained rangers who accompany you on the field trips are good at spotting wildlife and we saw all the iconic Scottish wildlife like red deer, golden eagles and feral goats. Laurie took our group to the Caingorms one day and we spent hours with the reindeer herd taking photographs. They are such gentle animals. We have previously stayed at Aigas for 2 weeks each holiday, this year we only stayed one week, spending the first week on Mull (also very good for wild life) I cannot say whether Spring or Autumn is the best time to go to Aigas. We have stayed both. Spring has the advantage of longer day light hours to view the wild life, but October has the lovely autumn colours. We haven't had midges at either of these times I am glad to say. Will be happy to go again. Although the prices may look a little expensive, everything is included and I feel well worth the money.