Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

We selected the Road Scholar trip that brought us to the Aigas Field Centre for a 7 night stay. Each day taught us about and brought us to a varied selection of Highlands' experiences from the Culloden Battlefield to the Cawdor Castle. We took hikes, observed wild life from hides (blinds) and enjoyed the hospitality of Lady Lucy and Sir John. The manor home is amazing and social time and dinners were held there. We each stayed in guest cottages a short walk away. Accommodations were comfortable....it felt a little like staying at a camp for a week but with much better beds and an ensuite bathroom! The field rangers who led our varied experiences are young, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about the nature, geology and history of the region. They took great care of us on the hikes including helping me down some rather step rock steps on one hike. They also served us tea, coffee, or hot chocolate out of the back of their vehicles for our picnic lunch stops and at tea time if we were not getting back in time for tea at Aigas. The scenery is amazingly varied, rugged and beautiful. Other folks who stayed for a more nature centered week also were enthusiastic about their experiences and the wide variety of bird and plant species seen. Social times were fun too as the Americans in the Road Scholar group met and talked with the local UKers visiting for the wildlife experiences. This was such a great way to experience the Highlands and its amazing environment.
read moreread less

Barbara N

×

Barbara N

We selected the Road Scholar trip that brought us to the Aigas Field Centre for a 7 night stay. Each day taught us about and brought us to a varied selection of Highlands' experiences from the Culloden Battlefield to the Cawdor Castle. We took hikes, observed wild life from hides (blinds) and enjoyed the hospitality of Lady Lucy and Sir John. The manor home is amazing and social time and dinners were held there. We each stayed in guest cottages a short walk away. Accommodations were comfortable....it felt a little like staying at a camp for a week but with much better beds and an ensuite bathroom! The field rangers who led our varied experiences are young, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about the nature, geology and history of the region. They took great care of us on the hikes including helping me down some rather step rock steps on one hike. They also served us tea, coffee, or hot chocolate out of the back of their vehicles for our picnic lunch stops and at tea time if we were not getting back in time for tea at Aigas. The scenery is amazingly varied, rugged and beautiful. Other folks who stayed for a more nature centered week also were enthusiastic about their experiences and the wide variety of bird and plant species seen. Social times were fun too as the Americans in the Road Scholar group met and talked with the local UKers visiting for the wildlife experiences. This was such a great way to experience the Highlands and its amazing environment.
This was the first time we had really done any kind of wildlife watching since we were children, and we were very apprehensive about standing out and coming across as idiots. On the contrary, the rangers were so engaging and so patient in helping us to use binoculars, how to identify different birds and really help to build our confidence and enthusiasm. We were given really helpful tips fo the best time and places to spot the beavers and had some very successful hide visits, also seeing the pine martins and wild cats, as well as a host of red squirrels and a young greater spotted woodpecker who was beautiful The food was exception and whilst we were initially hesitant about communal meals, these quickly became the highlight of our time there and Lady Lucy and Sir John were the perfect hosts.
read moreread less

Anne Beckett-Allen

×

Anne Beckett-Allen

This was the first time we had really done any kind of wildlife watching since we were children, and we were very apprehensive about standing out and coming across as idiots. On the contrary, the rangers were so engaging and so patient in helping us to use binoculars, how to identify different birds and really help to build our confidence and enthusiasm. We were given really helpful tips fo the best time and places to spot the beavers and had some very successful hide visits, also seeing the pine martins and wild cats, as well as a host of red squirrels and a young greater spotted woodpecker who was beautiful The food was exception and whilst we were initially hesitant about communal meals, these quickly became the highlight of our time there and Lady Lucy and Sir John were the perfect hosts.
A truly wonderful experience. If you want to see Scottish wildlife with like-minded people and be treated almost royally by Sir John, Lady Lucinda and their remarkable team then you need look no further. We saw otter, beaver, golden eagle, pine martin and a wide variety of birds and plants whilst under the watchful eyes of the young and talented ranger team. In these days of feigned concern and superficial commitment it was truly an experience to be in the company of a team that really is making a difference to conservation and conservation education. Just read all the other five star reviews as they express their views more eloquently than I. On a more personal note, Lady Lucinda and her catering crew provided excellent food - which was especially welcomed by my wife who is a coeliac (gluten intolerant) and a strict vegetarian – and that is a difficult combination to cater for!
read moreread less

GrahamTrowbridge

×

GrahamTrowbridge

A truly wonderful experience. If you want to see Scottish wildlife with like-minded people and be treated almost royally by Sir John, Lady Lucinda and their remarkable team then you need look no further. We saw otter, beaver, golden eagle, pine martin and a wide variety of birds and plants whilst under the watchful eyes of the young and talented ranger team. In these days of feigned concern and superficial commitment it was truly an experience to be in the company of a team that really is making a difference to conservation and conservation education. Just read all the other five star reviews as they express their views more eloquently than I. On a more personal note, Lady Lucinda and her catering crew provided excellent food - which was especially welcomed by my wife who is a coeliac (gluten intolerant) and a strict vegetarian – and that is a difficult combination to cater for!