Programmes By Date - Aigas Field Centre

I participated in one of the week-long Aigas Wildlife programs along with 15 others. We were divided into two groups of 8 as we roamed the glens, straths, and lochs of the Highlands, from east coast to west, in search of birds, eagles and deer. Several hides provided views of pine martin, badgers and more. The Rangers were exceptionally friendly, informative and able to take us to the very best viewing areas. Sir John, Lady Lucy and Warwick Lister- Kaye were attentive, welcoming and provided much information. Breakfast and dinner, served in the Aigas house, was a time to talk to each other and enjoy the wonderful and plentiful food. Sandwiches and snacks were provided for day-long excursions. The gardens surrounding the house are amazing. I took advantage of the extended daylight to walk to the Iron Age fort for a spectacular view. I was lucky to be the only U.S. attendee, and thoroughly enjoyed hearing about others' experiences. The Highlands are stunningly gorgeous, changing quickly from sun to rain, and, with that, the entire landscape transforms itself. I'm sure any of the programs offered by the Aigas Field Centre would be extremely well run, as was this one. I couldn't recommend this experience more. The absolute highlight of my two week stay in Scotland.
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travlibrarian

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travlibrarian

I participated in one of the week-long Aigas Wildlife programs along with 15 others. We were divided into two groups of 8 as we roamed the glens, straths, and lochs of the Highlands, from east coast to west, in search of birds, eagles and deer. Several hides provided views of pine martin, badgers and more. The Rangers were exceptionally friendly, informative and able to take us to the very best viewing areas. Sir John, Lady Lucy and Warwick Lister- Kaye were attentive, welcoming and provided much information. Breakfast and dinner, served in the Aigas house, was a time to talk to each other and enjoy the wonderful and plentiful food. Sandwiches and snacks were provided for day-long excursions. The gardens surrounding the house are amazing. I took advantage of the extended daylight to walk to the Iron Age fort for a spectacular view. I was lucky to be the only U.S. attendee, and thoroughly enjoyed hearing about others' experiences. The Highlands are stunningly gorgeous, changing quickly from sun to rain, and, with that, the entire landscape transforms itself. I'm sure any of the programs offered by the Aigas Field Centre would be extremely well run, as was this one. I couldn't recommend this experience more. The absolute highlight of my two week stay in Scotland.
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!
I just wrote a wonderful review on the Aigas Facebook site but lost the connection so here I am. I just visited Aigas Field Center last week. The experience was magical! From the welcoming staff to the wonderful beautiful home and grounds. I came with Road Scholar and loved every minute of the trip to the Scottish Highlands. Sir John and Lady Lucy made us feel welcome and were superb hosts. The grounds were beautiful and so was the home. The garden was breathtaking and the accommodations were cozy and very well kept. The experiences on our road trips to see the sights were enhanced by professional, knowledgeable and personable rangers as well as Academic Placement Students from University.We interacted with the stunning lands of the Highlands on comfortable mini buses. Individual needs were always taken into consideration. On the Aigas grounds we had opportunities to see animals in their natural habitat. We learned about the endangered Wildcats and witnessed Badgers and Pinemartens at night in hides( small sheds with windows) I was utterly impressed with Sir John Lister Kaye for creating this environment and found him brilliant and quite funny. The meals were delicious and honored our dietary needs. Compliments to Lady Lucy and her wonderful kitchen staff. If you have the opportunity to travel with Road Scholar or on your own, consider a trip to Aigas Field Center.A perfect educational experience for children and adults. I miss being there and will cherish the time I spent there.Thankfully I have many pictures of this unique experience.
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C8241IGnancyc

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C8241IGnancyc

I just wrote a wonderful review on the Aigas Facebook site but lost the connection so here I am. I just visited Aigas Field Center last week. The experience was magical! From the welcoming staff to the wonderful beautiful home and grounds. I came with Road Scholar and loved every minute of the trip to the Scottish Highlands. Sir John and Lady Lucy made us feel welcome and were superb hosts. The grounds were beautiful and so was the home. The garden was breathtaking and the accommodations were cozy and very well kept. The experiences on our road trips to see the sights were enhanced by professional, knowledgeable and personable rangers as well as Academic Placement Students from University.We interacted with the stunning lands of the Highlands on comfortable mini buses. Individual needs were always taken into consideration. On the Aigas grounds we had opportunities to see animals in their natural habitat. We learned about the endangered Wildcats and witnessed Badgers and Pinemartens at night in hides( small sheds with windows) I was utterly impressed with Sir John Lister Kaye for creating this environment and found him brilliant and quite funny. The meals were delicious and honored our dietary needs. Compliments to Lady Lucy and her wonderful kitchen staff. If you have the opportunity to travel with Road Scholar or on your own, consider a trip to Aigas Field Center.A perfect educational experience for children and adults. I miss being there and will cherish the time I spent there.Thankfully I have many pictures of this unique experience.