Cairngorms Wildlife from £319 per person for 3nts
This special holiday combines two unforgettable Scottish wildlife experiences in the spectacularly beautiful Cairngorms National Park. Covering around 10% of Scotland, this is the largest National Park in the UK and is home to a quarter of Scotland's native woodland. Habitats vary from wild tundra on the high mountain tops, to ancient woods of Caledonian Pine, heather-covered moorland to majestic glens.
Day with a private wildlife guide
What better way to experience Scotland's wildlife than in the company of a highly experienced and knowledgeable guide? Even better when the guide is yours on a private basis for the day, so your programme will be tailored to suit, with your guide using their unbeatable local knowledge to track down the species you most want to see.
Choose from the following themes:
Highland Glens for golden eagles, red deer, red-throated divers, red kites, ring ouzels
Pine Forest, with such species as capercallie, black grouse, crested tits or Scottish crossbills, and the chance of red squirrels.
Moorland & Moray Firth – begin the day exploring moorland for red grouse, black throated divers and mountain hares then on to the Moray Firth for osprey, seaduck and reans, with a good chance of bottlenose dolphins and otters.
Evening wildlife watching
This unique experience includes up to three hours at a comfortable purpose-built hide in the Cairngorms National Park, where pine martens and badgers, as well as other wild mammals, are regularly seen. (Bill Oddie and the BBC have visited here regularly to film.) Throughout your visit to the baited hide - which is fitted with outside spotlights - you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will keep you informed about everything that you see. You will be in a small group of no more than 12.
Your Accommodation
For this holiday we have selected an award-winning 5 star guesthouse on the edge of Aviemore. This personally run four room guesthouse offers comfortable, relaxing and friendly accomodation in the heart of Cairngorm National Park - the perfect location to enjoy the mountains, glens, lochs and rivers of Rothiemurchus, which you'll see from the window of your spacious, well-appointed room.
What else to see and do
This is a perfect base to explore the National Park and the surrounding highland landscape of majestic mountains, rivers and lochs. The hotel is a mine of information on local walks and excursions, several beginning in and around the village itself. The towns of Aviemore and Grantown on Spey are within easy reach, as are the glorious sandy beaches of the Moray coast and the myriad distilleries of Speyside.
Prices & Dates
This holiday can be arranged from mid February to end October 2012.
The price is £319 per person for holidays in February, £329 per person in March, April & October, £349 per person for May to September.
All prices based on 2 people sharing a double room ensuite, for 3 nights on a bed & breakfast basis, including a day with a private wildlife guide exploring the highlights of Cairngorms wildlife, and an evening visit to a wildlife hide to view badgers and pine martens.
This holiday is perfectly feasible for someone travelling on public transport, with regular train services operating to Aviemore, from where the accommodation is a short taxi ride. Ask us for more details.
Note for wildlife trips: We of course cannot guarantee that you will see any of the wildlife described - these are wild animals and as such cannot be called to order, and no refund will be made if you are unlucky enough not to see any of the animals described, despite the very best efforts of the guides.
All our touring holidays include a map of Scotland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday. All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.
The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee
All our holiday prices include a service charge of £8 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday. We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.
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