Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

I have loved all the organised courses I did at Aigas (Aigas Wildlife Spring & Summer) but found I was kept SO busy visiting other parts of Scotland, that I never really explored the Field Centre itself. I therefore asked to tack 3 days 4 nights onto the end of their wonderful Outer Hebrides trip (summer 2010). I visited the Loch Hide very early one morning and was spoilt to see not only 4 of the EuropeanBeavers out and about, but also an Osprey at the Loch. I had a wonderful encounter with a big group of of lovely birds in the plantation. I saw a family of Wrens with young and Treecreepers with the help of a ranger. I was privilaged to see Roe Deer and have VERY close encounters with other Birds at the hill top hide. If a course is being run at the same time as your customised visit you are able to join the group for certain activities, e.g. Pine Marten and Badger nightime hide visit, etc. As always the food produced under Lady Lucy's guidance was simply scrumptious, and the family and rangers were VERY welcoming. This is an experience not to be missed. At the beginning of April 2011, I am again visiting but this time I am joined by a friend from Ohio.
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HJefferson

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HJefferson

I have loved all the organised courses I did at Aigas (Aigas Wildlife Spring & Summer) but found I was kept SO busy visiting other parts of Scotland, that I never really explored the Field Centre itself. I therefore asked to tack 3 days 4 nights onto the end of their wonderful Outer Hebrides trip (summer 2010). I visited the Loch Hide very early one morning and was spoilt to see not only 4 of the EuropeanBeavers out and about, but also an Osprey at the Loch. I had a wonderful encounter with a big group of of lovely birds in the plantation. I saw a family of Wrens with young and Treecreepers with the help of a ranger. I was privilaged to see Roe Deer and have VERY close encounters with other Birds at the hill top hide. If a course is being run at the same time as your customised visit you are able to join the group for certain activities, e.g. Pine Marten and Badger nightime hide visit, etc. As always the food produced under Lady Lucy's guidance was simply scrumptious, and the family and rangers were VERY welcoming. This is an experience not to be missed. At the beginning of April 2011, I am again visiting but this time I am joined by a friend from Ohio.
Stayed for a week on the wildlife week - and practically everything met or exceeded expectations - great experience. The area is rich in wildlife and had some great sightings, red squirrels are abundant and the photography hides for them ensure great views - the beavers were on show and with some persistence morning and evening showed including 2 kits - badger showed on 3 nights and pine martin on 2. A young tawny owl posed for a picture briefly too. The days out were good too - leisurely in pace, sight seeing including to the amazing dolphins on the coast. Recommend bringing own telescope if possible as whilst the rangers carry one, it saves sharing and some sightings are distant such as golden eagle and otter - the house does hire out binoculars though for a reasonable price. Slavonian grebes great to see on a loch not far away too. On this trip, no walking really far from vehicles but that suits of course those a little less mobile. . The rangers / guides are great, full of enthusiasm and do everything to make everyone's day as good as it can be - and some sharp naturalists there too including with the placement students. The rangers/guides are well connected and knew of a local eagle nest and other wildlife in the area. The garden's are lovely to walk round too for when one wants to relax on site. The directors gave tours of both the garden and the house. Suggest really talk to the centre pre your stay to ensure you get what you need - they have dogs around the house and common room but immediately offered to put them elsewhere if anyone allergic etc. The accommodation lodges was pleasant, a little tired in places but the site is coping with the covid pandemic and with staff recruitment challenges - but doing a great job. Just ask if anything you need and they really try to make a stay perfect. We asked for an extra night in the Campbell hide and we got 3 in total which was great. All in all a great week and great people, particularly the rangers/guides. Recommended to wildlife fans and of course if Scottish highlands combined with another interest such as whisky, walking, trees etc as per the itinerary is your interest.
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KevinA488

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KevinA488

Stayed for a week on the wildlife week - and practically everything met or exceeded expectations - great experience. The area is rich in wildlife and had some great sightings, red squirrels are abundant and the photography hides for them ensure great views - the beavers were on show and with some persistence morning and evening showed including 2 kits - badger showed on 3 nights and pine martin on 2. A young tawny owl posed for a picture briefly too. The days out were good too - leisurely in pace, sight seeing including to the amazing dolphins on the coast. Recommend bringing own telescope if possible as whilst the rangers carry one, it saves sharing and some sightings are distant such as golden eagle and otter - the house does hire out binoculars though for a reasonable price. Slavonian grebes great to see on a loch not far away too. On this trip, no walking really far from vehicles but that suits of course those a little less mobile. . The rangers / guides are great, full of enthusiasm and do everything to make everyone's day as good as it can be - and some sharp naturalists there too including with the placement students. The rangers/guides are well connected and knew of a local eagle nest and other wildlife in the area. The garden's are lovely to walk round too for when one wants to relax on site. The directors gave tours of both the garden and the house. Suggest really talk to the centre pre your stay to ensure you get what you need - they have dogs around the house and common room but immediately offered to put them elsewhere if anyone allergic etc. The accommodation lodges was pleasant, a little tired in places but the site is coping with the covid pandemic and with staff recruitment challenges - but doing a great job. Just ask if anything you need and they really try to make a stay perfect. We asked for an extra night in the Campbell hide and we got 3 in total which was great. All in all a great week and great people, particularly the rangers/guides. Recommended to wildlife fans and of course if Scottish highlands combined with another interest such as whisky, walking, trees etc as per the itinerary is your interest.
The Aigas staff and rangers were welcoming, enthusiastic, extremely well informed, accommodating. I learned an incredible amount about the history, culture, people, and antiquities of the area. Everyday had a talk at Magnus House or a field trip in the local area or even to Orkney and Isle of Skye. I had traveled from the US to experience what the Aigas experience had to offer, and I believe that my stay there and adventures in northern Scotland were well worth the price.
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Lane C

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Lane C

The Aigas staff and rangers were welcoming, enthusiastic, extremely well informed, accommodating. I learned an incredible amount about the history, culture, people, and antiquities of the area. Everyday had a talk at Magnus House or a field trip in the local area or even to Orkney and Isle of Skye. I had traveled from the US to experience what the Aigas experience had to offer, and I believe that my stay there and adventures in northern Scotland were well worth the price.