Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

I stayed at the Aigas Field Centre for a week with a foray from the Audubon Naturalist Society. I'd read books by Sir John Lister-Kaye and had been in Scotland before, so I had high hopes, but this place topped them all. The young Rangers who took us out each day knew all the birds, the mammals, and the geology. Beauty was everywhere, on the grounds of the House of Aigas and in the lovely Highlands country. I loved the focus on the landscape and the environment; I loved the historical aspects. I loved seeing the Scottish wildcats, red grouse, and a golden eagle feeding a weasel to its chicks. And I loved Sir John reading us "bedtime stories." Walking around the loch at Aigas with Warwick was a treat. Seeing the site of The Lord of the Isles on the Isle of Islay was a treat.The food, under the direction of Lady Lucy, was wonderful, and the solicitude for guest comfort was genuine and on-going. I'm now hoping I can return some day!
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cnabors2015

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cnabors2015

I stayed at the Aigas Field Centre for a week with a foray from the Audubon Naturalist Society. I'd read books by Sir John Lister-Kaye and had been in Scotland before, so I had high hopes, but this place topped them all. The young Rangers who took us out each day knew all the birds, the mammals, and the geology. Beauty was everywhere, on the grounds of the House of Aigas and in the lovely Highlands country. I loved the focus on the landscape and the environment; I loved the historical aspects. I loved seeing the Scottish wildcats, red grouse, and a golden eagle feeding a weasel to its chicks. And I loved Sir John reading us "bedtime stories." Walking around the loch at Aigas with Warwick was a treat. Seeing the site of The Lord of the Isles on the Isle of Islay was a treat.The food, under the direction of Lady Lucy, was wonderful, and the solicitude for guest comfort was genuine and on-going. I'm now hoping I can return some day!
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.
I was here with a tour group for a week and cannot sing the praises of the environmental education program offered here. If you are looking for the best program on the West Highlands with top notch rangers as guides on history, archaeology, restoration, glorious gardens to stroll through, excellent meals and a location that blends all of the importance of the West Highlands together, Aigas is the best choice.
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Christine W

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Christine W

I was here with a tour group for a week and cannot sing the praises of the environmental education program offered here. If you are looking for the best program on the West Highlands with top notch rangers as guides on history, archaeology, restoration, glorious gardens to stroll through, excellent meals and a location that blends all of the importance of the West Highlands together, Aigas is the best choice.