Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

I returned to Aigas for the fourth time for the Monarchs of the Glen programme and it was a wonderful experience in the true sense of the word. I have previously been on the Wildlife Weeks in three different seasons and thoroughly enjoyed them, so thought a programme with a more specific focus would be interesting. Our tour leader, Dr David Dixon, was a pleasure to be with: full of fascinating information about a huge variety of wildlife, well beyond the deer we had gone to see. We had excellent talks from David, Sir John and Jeff Dymond, an experienced deer stalker, that enhanced the sightings we had of red and roe deer enormously. Supporting this was the brilliant Aigas experience: the welcome, the food and the baronial hall in which it's eaten, the comfortable and warm (even when it dropped to minus 4) lodges, the spectacular highland scenery and wildlife on the estate and, of course, the people. They are what really make Aigas the place I go back to again and again. Guests temporarily become part of an extended family and every effort is made to deal with special requests. The rangers are incredibly knowledgable and a pleasure to spend time with; their enthusiasm for what they are showing you is infectious. Anyone who watched Autumnwatch will be aware of the variety of wildlife on the estate - beavers, pine martens, badgers, red squirrels and probably thousands of birds - and the days out cover a variety of different habitats and their inhabitants. A couple of people I've recommended Aigas too have said it looks expensive. It's not a bargain break but once you've paid there's no need (and few opportunities) to spend any more money: all food and drinks with dinner is included. Add to this the expertise of the rangers all day and on several evenings and I think it's worth every penny. On the long train journey back to London, we were trying to think of one thing that would make an Aigas holiday better. The only idea we came up with was more hours in the day so that you could see more - and find some time to sleep!
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LondonRuby

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LondonRuby

I returned to Aigas for the fourth time for the Monarchs of the Glen programme and it was a wonderful experience in the true sense of the word. I have previously been on the Wildlife Weeks in three different seasons and thoroughly enjoyed them, so thought a programme with a more specific focus would be interesting. Our tour leader, Dr David Dixon, was a pleasure to be with: full of fascinating information about a huge variety of wildlife, well beyond the deer we had gone to see. We had excellent talks from David, Sir John and Jeff Dymond, an experienced deer stalker, that enhanced the sightings we had of red and roe deer enormously. Supporting this was the brilliant Aigas experience: the welcome, the food and the baronial hall in which it's eaten, the comfortable and warm (even when it dropped to minus 4) lodges, the spectacular highland scenery and wildlife on the estate and, of course, the people. They are what really make Aigas the place I go back to again and again. Guests temporarily become part of an extended family and every effort is made to deal with special requests. The rangers are incredibly knowledgable and a pleasure to spend time with; their enthusiasm for what they are showing you is infectious. Anyone who watched Autumnwatch will be aware of the variety of wildlife on the estate - beavers, pine martens, badgers, red squirrels and probably thousands of birds - and the days out cover a variety of different habitats and their inhabitants. A couple of people I've recommended Aigas too have said it looks expensive. It's not a bargain break but once you've paid there's no need (and few opportunities) to spend any more money: all food and drinks with dinner is included. Add to this the expertise of the rangers all day and on several evenings and I think it's worth every penny. On the long train journey back to London, we were trying to think of one thing that would make an Aigas holiday better. The only idea we came up with was more hours in the day so that you could see more - and find some time to sleep!
My sister and I joined the Highland House Party on the last week of the 2011 programme. Although the weather was wet and windy, the warmth of the hospitality was superb. The 7 young rangers were outstanding - kind, caring, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about the history, flora and fauna of the area. Our days were full and varied, and the food - all locally sourced - was excellent. When we left we felt that we had become part of the Lister-Kaye family! We can't wait to return. The ceilidh on the final evening just rubber-stamped' a truly memorable week. I am now re-reading Sir John's books, and have already used some of Lady Lucy's recipes!
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pennyward

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pennyward

My sister and I joined the Highland House Party on the last week of the 2011 programme. Although the weather was wet and windy, the warmth of the hospitality was superb. The 7 young rangers were outstanding - kind, caring, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about the history, flora and fauna of the area. Our days were full and varied, and the food - all locally sourced - was excellent. When we left we felt that we had become part of the Lister-Kaye family! We can't wait to return. The ceilidh on the final evening just rubber-stamped' a truly memorable week. I am now re-reading Sir John's books, and have already used some of Lady Lucy's recipes!
I took the Home & Gardens tour during the week of my birthday in August, 2023. This is a FANTASTIC tour and I met so many wonderful people (5 others who came separately from England & Scotland) and 16 others on a Road Scholar trip from all over the U.S.). We got to see many beautiful homes (and castles!) and gardens in Scotland. Sometimes we'd go in a van for the day and the last day we even went by a beautiful, comfortable train to upper Scotland. It is kind of like being a kid in a camp except your own room and bath, great food for all meals (or picnic lunches to take!). I found out last year I am more Scottish than anything else, and I felt so very comfortable in Scotland and all the people I met. So many memories I made and I definitely want to return to Aigas! Sir John and Lady Lucy Lister-Kaye are amazing, professional, welcoming hosts. The rangers (taught there) are also nice and informative! I highly recommend it and NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT!
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jansjourneys

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jansjourneys

I took the Home & Gardens tour during the week of my birthday in August, 2023. This is a FANTASTIC tour and I met so many wonderful people (5 others who came separately from England & Scotland) and 16 others on a Road Scholar trip from all over the U.S.). We got to see many beautiful homes (and castles!) and gardens in Scotland. Sometimes we'd go in a van for the day and the last day we even went by a beautiful, comfortable train to upper Scotland. It is kind of like being a kid in a camp except your own room and bath, great food for all meals (or picnic lunches to take!). I found out last year I am more Scottish than anything else, and I felt so very comfortable in Scotland and all the people I met. So many memories I made and I definitely want to return to Aigas! Sir John and Lady Lucy Lister-Kaye are amazing, professional, welcoming hosts. The rangers (taught there) are also nice and informative! I highly recommend it and NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT!