Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

This was my second visit to the Aigas Field Centre. I attended Aigas Wildlife in June 2015, and although the weather wasn't the best I had a wonderful week and fell in love with the location and people. As a keen photographer I returned in July 2016 to participate in the Photography Masterclass with Scottish nature photographer Laurie Campbell. The Field Centre itself is gorgeous. Guests stay in log cabins, all with ensuite shower (some with baths), each cabin also has a communal living area. They are pretty basic, but warm and very comfortable and to be honest, you won't spend a whole lot of time there! Meals are served in the main house, in the vaulted dining room. The moto is "nothing's too much trouble" and Lady Lucy Lister-Kaye will amend the menus to suit any diet. The food was delicious. Porridge for breakfast, lunch generally in the field, afternoon tea and a three course dinner. The grounds include a wonderful small loch in which live a few beavers (not easy to see though), there are pine martens, local ospreys, badgers, birds and insects. Guests can spend time in the Campbell Hide watching the pine martens or in the beaver hide which overlooks the loch so there's the chance to see any of the animals who use it. I'd highly recommend rising early to experience the sunrise over the loch - it's stunning. All trips are conducted in comfortable minibuses with a knowledgeable ranger armed with a scope on hand to point out significant wildlife and much more. On both my visits we went to a number of gorgeous local glens, and on Aigas Wildlife there's a visit to the West Coast and to the Cromarty for the Ecoventures dolphin trip (also highly recommended). For those interested in photographing wildlife, the masterclass was inspiring. Laurie Campbell is a great teacher, and leads by example - he never stops looking for the perfect photograph. We had the chance to photograph mountain hares, red deer, pine martens, dolphins, otters, common toads, insects and fauna. It was a small group so there was plenty of one-to-one time. In summary it is a superb way to spend a week - you'll learn loads from the rangers, meet some lovely people and experience the most beautiful scenery.
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kfjmiller71

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kfjmiller71

This was my second visit to the Aigas Field Centre. I attended Aigas Wildlife in June 2015, and although the weather wasn't the best I had a wonderful week and fell in love with the location and people. As a keen photographer I returned in July 2016 to participate in the Photography Masterclass with Scottish nature photographer Laurie Campbell. The Field Centre itself is gorgeous. Guests stay in log cabins, all with ensuite shower (some with baths), each cabin also has a communal living area. They are pretty basic, but warm and very comfortable and to be honest, you won't spend a whole lot of time there! Meals are served in the main house, in the vaulted dining room. The moto is "nothing's too much trouble" and Lady Lucy Lister-Kaye will amend the menus to suit any diet. The food was delicious. Porridge for breakfast, lunch generally in the field, afternoon tea and a three course dinner. The grounds include a wonderful small loch in which live a few beavers (not easy to see though), there are pine martens, local ospreys, badgers, birds and insects. Guests can spend time in the Campbell Hide watching the pine martens or in the beaver hide which overlooks the loch so there's the chance to see any of the animals who use it. I'd highly recommend rising early to experience the sunrise over the loch - it's stunning. All trips are conducted in comfortable minibuses with a knowledgeable ranger armed with a scope on hand to point out significant wildlife and much more. On both my visits we went to a number of gorgeous local glens, and on Aigas Wildlife there's a visit to the West Coast and to the Cromarty for the Ecoventures dolphin trip (also highly recommended). For those interested in photographing wildlife, the masterclass was inspiring. Laurie Campbell is a great teacher, and leads by example - he never stops looking for the perfect photograph. We had the chance to photograph mountain hares, red deer, pine martens, dolphins, otters, common toads, insects and fauna. It was a small group so there was plenty of one-to-one time. In summary it is a superb way to spend a week - you'll learn loads from the rangers, meet some lovely people and experience the most beautiful scenery.
I participated in one of the week-long Aigas Wildlife programs along with 15 others. We were divided into two groups of 8 as we roamed the glens, straths, and lochs of the Highlands, from east coast to west, in search of birds, eagles and deer. Several hides provided views of pine martin, badgers and more. The Rangers were exceptionally friendly, informative and able to take us to the very best viewing areas. Sir John, Lady Lucy and Warwick Lister- Kaye were attentive, welcoming and provided much information. Breakfast and dinner, served in the Aigas house, was a time to talk to each other and enjoy the wonderful and plentiful food. Sandwiches and snacks were provided for day-long excursions. The gardens surrounding the house are amazing. I took advantage of the extended daylight to walk to the Iron Age fort for a spectacular view. I was lucky to be the only U.S. attendee, and thoroughly enjoyed hearing about others' experiences. The Highlands are stunningly gorgeous, changing quickly from sun to rain, and, with that, the entire landscape transforms itself. I'm sure any of the programs offered by the Aigas Field Centre would be extremely well run, as was this one. I couldn't recommend this experience more. The absolute highlight of my two week stay in Scotland.
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travlibrarian

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travlibrarian

I participated in one of the week-long Aigas Wildlife programs along with 15 others. We were divided into two groups of 8 as we roamed the glens, straths, and lochs of the Highlands, from east coast to west, in search of birds, eagles and deer. Several hides provided views of pine martin, badgers and more. The Rangers were exceptionally friendly, informative and able to take us to the very best viewing areas. Sir John, Lady Lucy and Warwick Lister- Kaye were attentive, welcoming and provided much information. Breakfast and dinner, served in the Aigas house, was a time to talk to each other and enjoy the wonderful and plentiful food. Sandwiches and snacks were provided for day-long excursions. The gardens surrounding the house are amazing. I took advantage of the extended daylight to walk to the Iron Age fort for a spectacular view. I was lucky to be the only U.S. attendee, and thoroughly enjoyed hearing about others' experiences. The Highlands are stunningly gorgeous, changing quickly from sun to rain, and, with that, the entire landscape transforms itself. I'm sure any of the programs offered by the Aigas Field Centre would be extremely well run, as was this one. I couldn't recommend this experience more. The absolute highlight of my two week stay in Scotland.
I spent a week here and loved every minute of it. Cabins were spacious, warm and comfortable with a lounge and kitchen attached. Food was outstanding, especially when I have food intolerances. Some meals were made especially for me and this was much appreciated. Covid restrictions were in place and adhered to rigorously making me feel safe. The rangers were full of knowledge, very helpful and cheerful. The various hides for pine martins, badgers and squirrels were particularly good. Being autumn ,the landscape was very colourful with the trees changing colour and the visits out in the minibuses were superb. Sit John and lady Lucy were superb hosts and should be very proud of their place.
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Moira G

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Moira G

I spent a week here and loved every minute of it. Cabins were spacious, warm and comfortable with a lounge and kitchen attached. Food was outstanding, especially when I have food intolerances. Some meals were made especially for me and this was much appreciated. Covid restrictions were in place and adhered to rigorously making me feel safe. The rangers were full of knowledge, very helpful and cheerful. The various hides for pine martins, badgers and squirrels were particularly good. Being autumn ,the landscape was very colourful with the trees changing colour and the visits out in the minibuses were superb. Sit John and lady Lucy were superb hosts and should be very proud of their place.