Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

Road Scholar had a very small and wonderful group of 13 who had a wonderful learning experience in the Aigas Field Centre in Beauly, Scotland...it was a magnificent trip. We saw a great deal of the Highlands, and learned about birds, insects, trees, the rivers, history, the large animals,lochs, and I got to see a pine martin feeding at night in the Centre. It is a magical place with knowledgeable, intelligent, well-spoken young people who know their stuff. If they don't know, they will find out, and get back to you. As our group was so small, they could give us time for our many questions! Lady Lucy produced incredible meals for the Great Hall, and conversations were always interesting. Our cabin was comfy, clean, and welcoming, with a great hot shower. They will even do your laundry! This is a marvelous place for those who love Nature, and enjoy walking (ours were not especially taxing) and want to learn about and see some of the Highlands of Scotland! They have accommodations for all sorts of groups or families. Their standards are very high!
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mayflowers7

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mayflowers7

Road Scholar had a very small and wonderful group of 13 who had a wonderful learning experience in the Aigas Field Centre in Beauly, Scotland...it was a magnificent trip. We saw a great deal of the Highlands, and learned about birds, insects, trees, the rivers, history, the large animals,lochs, and I got to see a pine martin feeding at night in the Centre. It is a magical place with knowledgeable, intelligent, well-spoken young people who know their stuff. If they don't know, they will find out, and get back to you. As our group was so small, they could give us time for our many questions! Lady Lucy produced incredible meals for the Great Hall, and conversations were always interesting. Our cabin was comfy, clean, and welcoming, with a great hot shower. They will even do your laundry! This is a marvelous place for those who love Nature, and enjoy walking (ours were not especially taxing) and want to learn about and see some of the Highlands of Scotland! They have accommodations for all sorts of groups or families. Their standards are very high!
Truly one of the most incredible holidays I have ever had. Every day was filled with well-planned trips to beautiful places. Complete with guides who were very knowledgeable about all of the aspects of the highlands: history, geology, flora and fauna, and how it is all interdependent. The feeling of do love and appreciation for all of the natural wonders of the highlands was contagious and I feel that it will ever remain within my spirit. The accommodations were very well appointed, very clean and comfortable. The grounds and gardens were so beautiful, so tenderly card for, and the food was exquisite! Absolutely nothing here was below an excellent score!
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rhodeygem

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rhodeygem

Truly one of the most incredible holidays I have ever had. Every day was filled with well-planned trips to beautiful places. Complete with guides who were very knowledgeable about all of the aspects of the highlands: history, geology, flora and fauna, and how it is all interdependent. The feeling of do love and appreciation for all of the natural wonders of the highlands was contagious and I feel that it will ever remain within my spirit. The accommodations were very well appointed, very clean and comfortable. The grounds and gardens were so beautiful, so tenderly card for, and the food was exquisite! Absolutely nothing here was below an excellent score!
Stayed for a week on the wildlife week - and practically everything met or exceeded expectations - great experience. The area is rich in wildlife and had some great sightings, red squirrels are abundant and the photography hides for them ensure great views - the beavers were on show and with some persistence morning and evening showed including 2 kits - badger showed on 3 nights and pine martin on 2. A young tawny owl posed for a picture briefly too. The days out were good too - leisurely in pace, sight seeing including to the amazing dolphins on the coast. Recommend bringing own telescope if possible as whilst the rangers carry one, it saves sharing and some sightings are distant such as golden eagle and otter - the house does hire out binoculars though for a reasonable price. Slavonian grebes great to see on a loch not far away too. On this trip, no walking really far from vehicles but that suits of course those a little less mobile. . The rangers / guides are great, full of enthusiasm and do everything to make everyone's day as good as it can be - and some sharp naturalists there too including with the placement students. The rangers/guides are well connected and knew of a local eagle nest and other wildlife in the area. The garden's are lovely to walk round too for when one wants to relax on site. The directors gave tours of both the garden and the house. Suggest really talk to the centre pre your stay to ensure you get what you need - they have dogs around the house and common room but immediately offered to put them elsewhere if anyone allergic etc. The accommodation lodges was pleasant, a little tired in places but the site is coping with the covid pandemic and with staff recruitment challenges - but doing a great job. Just ask if anything you need and they really try to make a stay perfect. We asked for an extra night in the Campbell hide and we got 3 in total which was great. All in all a great week and great people, particularly the rangers/guides. Recommended to wildlife fans and of course if Scottish highlands combined with another interest such as whisky, walking, trees etc as per the itinerary is your interest.
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KevinA488

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KevinA488

Stayed for a week on the wildlife week - and practically everything met or exceeded expectations - great experience. The area is rich in wildlife and had some great sightings, red squirrels are abundant and the photography hides for them ensure great views - the beavers were on show and with some persistence morning and evening showed including 2 kits - badger showed on 3 nights and pine martin on 2. A young tawny owl posed for a picture briefly too. The days out were good too - leisurely in pace, sight seeing including to the amazing dolphins on the coast. Recommend bringing own telescope if possible as whilst the rangers carry one, it saves sharing and some sightings are distant such as golden eagle and otter - the house does hire out binoculars though for a reasonable price. Slavonian grebes great to see on a loch not far away too. On this trip, no walking really far from vehicles but that suits of course those a little less mobile. . The rangers / guides are great, full of enthusiasm and do everything to make everyone's day as good as it can be - and some sharp naturalists there too including with the placement students. The rangers/guides are well connected and knew of a local eagle nest and other wildlife in the area. The garden's are lovely to walk round too for when one wants to relax on site. The directors gave tours of both the garden and the house. Suggest really talk to the centre pre your stay to ensure you get what you need - they have dogs around the house and common room but immediately offered to put them elsewhere if anyone allergic etc. The accommodation lodges was pleasant, a little tired in places but the site is coping with the covid pandemic and with staff recruitment challenges - but doing a great job. Just ask if anything you need and they really try to make a stay perfect. We asked for an extra night in the Campbell hide and we got 3 in total which was great. All in all a great week and great people, particularly the rangers/guides. Recommended to wildlife fans and of course if Scottish highlands combined with another interest such as whisky, walking, trees etc as per the itinerary is your interest.