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.
This was a our 4th visit, the previous one being in Oct 2011. See previous report. We managed to book a place on the Nick Baker's 'Highland Wildlife Hightlights' week and had a great time. Not only a BBC presenter for many years, but also a Wildlife lecturer as well as writing Wildlife books, Nick is incredibly knowledgable and enthusiastic about all aspects of Wildlife and made an excellent guide. He is very friendly and has a great personality. He accompanied us along with a Ranger on our daily excursions. Even when we asked him very basic questions about wildlife, he never made us feel silly and was very good at explaining facts. We did all sorts that week, from a fantastic EcoVenture Boat trip with Dolphins keeping us company, to pond dipping back at Aigas, followed by an identification talk from Nick as he examined our specimens under a microscope, which projected the image onto a large screen. It was fascinating. One evening after dinner, he gave us a really entertaining talk in the lecture theatre about some of the strange critters he had made programmes about over the years. I've never laughed so much. Like previous holidays at Aigas, we had the option of the Loch side hide visits before breakfast. It was well worth getting up at the crack of dawn. Not only did we see the Aigas Beavers returning to their lodge, but an Osprey arrived and sat in a tree opposite for at least 20 minutes. Thinking it couldn't get any better, we started getting ready to leave the hide, when we spotted a Pine Martin on the far side of the Loch. He walked along the footpath giving us all a great views. We had seen the Pinemartins from the quarry hide at night, under a dim spot light, but to see one in broad daylight made us appreciate just how beautiful they are. We were elated as we returned for breakfast. There was two other groups at Aigas that week. A party of friendly Americans doing their course and our old friend Dr. David Dixon taking his group for 'Wildlife in a Highland Landscape'. We have done several of David's courses in the past, including the above one and the Autumn 'Monarchs of the Glen' and both were very enjoyable and informative. We had the pleasure of hearing one of his informative Geology of Scotland in relation to Wildlife, talks this holiday. A marine biologist by profession, David has many strings to his bow, from being an advisor to the BBC on technical issues for their Wildlife programmes, to doing research and writing scientific papers. He is a font of knowledge on all aspects of Wildlife and geology, as well as being a super bloke. Aigas does a wide range of special interest weeks and have excellent leaders running them. We will certainly have a return visit. It's just a matter of deciding which to do next. The icing on the cake this time was staying in the Round House. A wish come true! Thank you.
read moreread less
Lynne H
×
Lynne H
This was a our 4th visit, the previous one being in Oct 2011. See previous report. We managed to book a place on the Nick Baker's 'Highland Wildlife Hightlights' week and had a great time. Not only a BBC presenter for many years, but also a Wildlife lecturer as well as writing Wildlife books, Nick is incredibly knowledgable and enthusiastic about all aspects of Wildlife and made an excellent guide. He is very friendly and has a great personality. He accompanied us along with a Ranger on our daily excursions. Even when we asked him very basic questions about wildlife, he never made us feel silly and was very good at explaining facts. We did all sorts that week, from a fantastic EcoVenture Boat trip with Dolphins keeping us company, to pond dipping back at Aigas, followed by an identification talk from Nick as he examined our specimens under a microscope, which projected the image onto a large screen. It was fascinating. One evening after dinner, he gave us a really entertaining talk in the lecture theatre about some of the strange critters he had made programmes about over the years. I've never laughed so much. Like previous holidays at Aigas, we had the option of the Loch side hide visits before breakfast. It was well worth getting up at the crack of dawn. Not only did we see the Aigas Beavers returning to their lodge, but an Osprey arrived and sat in a tree opposite for at least 20 minutes. Thinking it couldn't get any better, we started getting ready to leave the hide, when we spotted a Pine Martin on the far side of the Loch. He walked along the footpath giving us all a great views. We had seen the Pinemartins from the quarry hide at night, under a dim spot light, but to see one in broad daylight made us appreciate just how beautiful they are. We were elated as we returned for breakfast. There was two other groups at Aigas that week. A party of friendly Americans doing their course and our old friend Dr. David Dixon taking his group for 'Wildlife in a Highland Landscape'. We have done several of David's courses in the past, including the above one and the Autumn 'Monarchs of the Glen' and both were very enjoyable and informative. We had the pleasure of hearing one of his informative Geology of Scotland in relation to Wildlife, talks this holiday. A marine biologist by profession, David has many strings to his bow, from being an advisor to the BBC on technical issues for their Wildlife programmes, to doing research and writing scientific papers. He is a font of knowledge on all aspects of Wildlife and geology, as well as being a super bloke. Aigas does a wide range of special interest weeks and have excellent leaders running them. We will certainly have a return visit. It's just a matter of deciding which to do next. The icing on the cake this time was staying in the Round House. A wish come true! Thank you.
Astonishing week with the Aigas team. Meeting like-minded people (some that had been before) the Rangers, the food, the Nature connection - all amazing. The accommodation was warm and cosy. The food was excellent. The staff could not have done more for all guests. The daily itinerary was clear and well thought out. Scotland’s wildlife then set the narrative of the week. The newly trained rangers were accompanied by experienced ones. Their shared knowledge and endless enthusiasm made the week so special. If you’re into nature and want to discover Scotland’s wildlife, geology and history then this is the holiday for you. Sit back, don’t worry about cooking or cleaning, enjoy the company and let Scotland tell her story. Thank you Aigas. I cannot wait to visit again.
read moreread less
JD
×
JD
Astonishing week with the Aigas team. Meeting like-minded people (some that had been before) the Rangers, the food, the Nature connection - all amazing. The accommodation was warm and cosy. The food was excellent. The staff could not have done more for all guests. The daily itinerary was clear and well thought out. Scotland’s wildlife then set the narrative of the week. The newly trained rangers were accompanied by experienced ones. Their shared knowledge and endless enthusiasm made the week so special. If you’re into nature and want to discover Scotland’s wildlife, geology and history then this is the holiday for you. Sit back, don’t worry about cooking or cleaning, enjoy the company and let Scotland tell her story. Thank you Aigas. I cannot wait to visit again.
Staying a week at Aigas - with its grounds, rangers, and Sir John and Lady Lucy - is among the most exceptional of my many travel experiences. Think wildlife refuge and rewilding programs rolled into a refurbished Victorian estate led by Sir John Lister-Kaye, well known in the naturalist and conservation circles for his pioneering work. I stayed as part of an educational tour group, and enjoyed each day fully. Through field trips, hikes, and events, I learned a great deal about Scotland's rich history and current efforts to restore biodiversity to the country. The rangers who led our trips were knowledgeable, energetic, and enthusiastic. The modest accommodations adjacent to the estate house were clean and comfortable, with big windows for spotting red squirrels and bird life. The food was creative and fabulous, served in a spectacular dining hall. The garden and grounds were breathtaking. Sir John and Lady Lucy and Hermione were gracious hosts, eager that their guests enjoyed their stay. Make sure to look closely at the center's website, because Aigas is not open to the public. Only to guests who have signed up for its various programs. I'm eyeing the list now for another adventure. Highly recommended.
read moreread less
Karen Watson
×
Karen Watson
Staying a week at Aigas - with its grounds, rangers, and Sir John and Lady Lucy - is among the most exceptional of my many travel experiences. Think wildlife refuge and rewilding programs rolled into a refurbished Victorian estate led by Sir John Lister-Kaye, well known in the naturalist and conservation circles for his pioneering work. I stayed as part of an educational tour group, and enjoyed each day fully. Through field trips, hikes, and events, I learned a great deal about Scotland's rich history and current efforts to restore biodiversity to the country. The rangers who led our trips were knowledgeable, energetic, and enthusiastic. The modest accommodations adjacent to the estate house were clean and comfortable, with big windows for spotting red squirrels and bird life. The food was creative and fabulous, served in a spectacular dining hall. The garden and grounds were breathtaking. Sir John and Lady Lucy and Hermione were gracious hosts, eager that their guests enjoyed their stay. Make sure to look closely at the center's website, because Aigas is not open to the public. Only to guests who have signed up for its various programs. I'm eyeing the list now for another adventure. Highly recommended.