Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

I spent 4 nights at Aigas with a day out with rangers and an early morning trip to try and see otters whilst there. Firstly Covid-19 related issues. The preventative steps have been well thought out. As well as comprehensive cleaning of rooms staff wear masks at all times as do guests when moving indoors or in vehicles. Hand sanitiser is Seating for dinner is socially distanced. I stayed in a lodge which was clean, warm and comfortable. Lots of space for a couple and would be fine for a family group of 4 (2 bedrooms). The house has lots of space and I enjoyed a simple breakfast (fruit, porridge, toast and local honey or preserves). The 3 course dinners were varied and well cooked. The grounds are tremendous for those interested in photography or wildlife. Several very comfortable hides are available and set up for different species. I got lovely opportunities to photograph red squirrels, pine martens, badgers and various birds. Unfortunately otters and beavers (resident in the loch) avoided me. Staff are friendly and knowledgable. Sir John, Lady Lucy and Hermione all welcoming, The rangers very well organised and fun to be with for trips - I learnt a lot about wildlife, geography and local history. There are a students on placement for the year who are also happy to chat with guests. Overall I was very impressed with the set-up, welcome and organisation especially at a time when so many challenges have been posed by Covid and related changes in laws and regulations.
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mfhunter

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mfhunter

I spent 4 nights at Aigas with a day out with rangers and an early morning trip to try and see otters whilst there. Firstly Covid-19 related issues. The preventative steps have been well thought out. As well as comprehensive cleaning of rooms staff wear masks at all times as do guests when moving indoors or in vehicles. Hand sanitiser is Seating for dinner is socially distanced. I stayed in a lodge which was clean, warm and comfortable. Lots of space for a couple and would be fine for a family group of 4 (2 bedrooms). The house has lots of space and I enjoyed a simple breakfast (fruit, porridge, toast and local honey or preserves). The 3 course dinners were varied and well cooked. The grounds are tremendous for those interested in photography or wildlife. Several very comfortable hides are available and set up for different species. I got lovely opportunities to photograph red squirrels, pine martens, badgers and various birds. Unfortunately otters and beavers (resident in the loch) avoided me. Staff are friendly and knowledgable. Sir John, Lady Lucy and Hermione all welcoming, The rangers very well organised and fun to be with for trips - I learnt a lot about wildlife, geography and local history. There are a students on placement for the year who are also happy to chat with guests. Overall I was very impressed with the set-up, welcome and organisation especially at a time when so many challenges have been posed by Covid and related changes in laws and regulations.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the Wildlife programme we'd booked on - the weather didn't look good and much of the wildlife we wanted to see was known to be elusive at the best of times. But thanks to the expertise, diligence and sheer overwhelming enthusiasm of the rangers - and I'd pick out Imogen and George as the ones who found us otters, sea eagles, golden eagles and a merlin - we saw everything we hoped for and more. The trips out to the west coast, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and up a number of the straths all bought new sightings but also new insights as the wildlife and flora were pointed out and explained. We rode next to leaping dolphins and diving sdeabirds in the Cromarty Firth. And there was no pretending to know things they didn't - if they didn't know they looked it up and told us later. From the hides at Aigas we saw pine marten, badger and beavers, as well as woodpeckers, owls, voles and many other species. But Aigas isn't just about the wildlife - it's about the hospitality in the comfortable lodges and then the house, with its stunning dining room and food that matches the surroundings. We didn't have a disappointing meal, Lucy provided great buffet lunches and superb dinners, from which I'd pick out the home-made soups as just outstanding, especially the spinach and lemon. To add to it all we have a great introductory talk by John Lister-Kaye, studded with jewels of poetry and prose to explain his love of nature and why he started Aigas. Even better was the finale on Friday night, when he read to the groups from his own and others' writings on the natural world - a great speaker and reader who imbues each word with meaning and feeling. If there is a criticism it is that there is a lot to do and perhaps too little time to explore the grounds at Aigas - but everything we did was worth doing. If you like your hide visits to be quiet and studious, as do I, perhaps you might want to check to see that you are there when there isn't a large American group around. They were lovely people but apt to talk constantly in the hides.. But this did not detract seriously from a fantastic week, though.
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Keith S

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Keith S

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the Wildlife programme we'd booked on - the weather didn't look good and much of the wildlife we wanted to see was known to be elusive at the best of times. But thanks to the expertise, diligence and sheer overwhelming enthusiasm of the rangers - and I'd pick out Imogen and George as the ones who found us otters, sea eagles, golden eagles and a merlin - we saw everything we hoped for and more. The trips out to the west coast, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and up a number of the straths all bought new sightings but also new insights as the wildlife and flora were pointed out and explained. We rode next to leaping dolphins and diving sdeabirds in the Cromarty Firth. And there was no pretending to know things they didn't - if they didn't know they looked it up and told us later. From the hides at Aigas we saw pine marten, badger and beavers, as well as woodpeckers, owls, voles and many other species. But Aigas isn't just about the wildlife - it's about the hospitality in the comfortable lodges and then the house, with its stunning dining room and food that matches the surroundings. We didn't have a disappointing meal, Lucy provided great buffet lunches and superb dinners, from which I'd pick out the home-made soups as just outstanding, especially the spinach and lemon. To add to it all we have a great introductory talk by John Lister-Kaye, studded with jewels of poetry and prose to explain his love of nature and why he started Aigas. Even better was the finale on Friday night, when he read to the groups from his own and others' writings on the natural world - a great speaker and reader who imbues each word with meaning and feeling. If there is a criticism it is that there is a lot to do and perhaps too little time to explore the grounds at Aigas - but everything we did was worth doing. If you like your hide visits to be quiet and studious, as do I, perhaps you might want to check to see that you are there when there isn't a large American group around. They were lovely people but apt to talk constantly in the hides.. But this did not detract seriously from a fantastic week, though.
I just spent a week at Aigas as part of a Road Scholar program. The Highlands are spectacular--and what you learn about them at Aigas will surprise you and give you pause to reflect on your interaction with the natural world. Sir John and Lady Lucy will make you feel like an honored guest at their beautiful country home, surrounded by exceptional gardens and comfortable guest cabins. The ranger guides are personable, enthusiastic, and highly-knowledgeable young people. During our group's trip, any differences in hiking abilities between the guests were quickly and graciously accommodated, as were special food requests. And speaking of food, one of the (unexpected!) highlights of this trip: fabulous, gourmet-quality Highland meals served under the watchful eye of the ever-gracious Lady Lucy and her efficient staff. These incredible meals enjoyed in the Great Hall of the manor will be among your fondest memories.
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Cathy F

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Cathy F

I just spent a week at Aigas as part of a Road Scholar program. The Highlands are spectacular--and what you learn about them at Aigas will surprise you and give you pause to reflect on your interaction with the natural world. Sir John and Lady Lucy will make you feel like an honored guest at their beautiful country home, surrounded by exceptional gardens and comfortable guest cabins. The ranger guides are personable, enthusiastic, and highly-knowledgeable young people. During our group's trip, any differences in hiking abilities between the guests were quickly and graciously accommodated, as were special food requests. And speaking of food, one of the (unexpected!) highlights of this trip: fabulous, gourmet-quality Highland meals served under the watchful eye of the ever-gracious Lady Lucy and her efficient staff. These incredible meals enjoyed in the Great Hall of the manor will be among your fondest memories.