Scottish Highlands at the New Year

New Year in the Scottish Highlands - December 29^th 2007 - January 3^rd 2008

^{To View a previous report from this trip, please click here.}

~ Introduction ~

If you want to add to your 2007 bird list and have missed some of Scotland’s best birds or if you want a flying start to your 2008 list then this holiday is for you.  Equally, if you want to escape after the hustle and bustle of Christmas and enjoy the Scottish Highlands at their most serene, then you will find it here.

Short days, long nights with pleasant company and lots of heart stopping bird watching, this is one of life’s better moments.

There is a chance to enjoy the New Year Scottish style as we see in the New Year in the hotel. Good food, good cheer, log fires, Scottish birding and wonderful people – we guarantee that the birding is excellent and the atmosphere is wonderful.

Some of the places we visit are remote and offer the chance of birding in peace and quiet at this time of year.

~ Itinerary ~

Day One (December 29^th)

Arrive at the hotel near the Findhorn Valley in mid-afternoon and settle in.  A walk before dinner in the local area will set the scene.

After dinner there is a chance to learn about the local birds and enjoy a wee tipple in front of a raging log fire.

Day Two (December 30^th)

Setting off after breakfast, we will head for the excellent Abernethy Forest; we will head into the woods for Scottish and Parrot Crossbill and Crested Tit.  The areas are very quiet this time of year and that makes the days just so magical.

At this time, the birds are in flocks for security and this causes great anticipation and excitement as we search along the woodland paths for our target birds.

In the afternoon we will look at the Cairngorms, we may use the funicular railway to see Mountain Hare and Ptarmigan. We may even get a Golden Eagle passing overhead.

Day Three (December 31^st)

After breakfast we will be going north onto the Black Isle for Red Kite and a huge range of sea duck such as Long-tailed Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and Velvet Scoter as well as waders galore.

We will return back to the hotel before seeing in the New Year, Highlands’s style.

Day Four (January 1^st)

Setting off after breakfast we will return to the Cairngorms, venturing only part way up the Mountain as we aim to get Ptarmagin and Snow Bunting to start our growing Year List.

In the afternoon a visit to Abernethy Forest will give a chance for woodland and heath birds.

Day Five (January 2^nd)

We will head north for sea duck and Red Kite around the Inverness area. Returning to the Findhorn Valley in the short afternoon for raptors feeding before roosting

Day Six (January 3^rd)

Before departing home you will have the opportunity for a morning’s birding in the local area, giving the opportunity to add some final birds to your holiday list.  We will depart after lunch.

~ General ~

This time of year in Scotland the weather is very unpredictable. We will always look at alternative birding should we suffer inclement weather.  Please be sure to bring appropriate clothing and footwear for the area and the time of year.

Some of the places we will be visiting will require some walking, however, the walks are generally flat and pleasant and done at a comfortable pace.

Cost: £575 Per person.