Holiday Scotland - award-winning holidays & short breaks in Scotland from McKinlay Kidd

• Call us on: 0844 804 0020*

• Request a tailor-made holiday

• Search

  Search
• Map search
• Sign up for our e-newsletter

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Wildlife Holidays: Scottish Wildlife holidays

Itinerary WE-8: Highland Wildlife from GBP 525 per person for 4nts

A unique combination of two memorable and exclusive wildlife experiences. First of all, head into the mountains with your own personal guide and, using centuries-old mountain craft traditions, track red deer for that magnificent photo shot. Then, further north in the Cairngorms National Park, make the most of your own personal wildlife guide to discover the secrets of this magical wild environment.

(Holiday featured in Sainsbury's magazine - March 2010)

Day One

Your first base is a beautiful country house hotel north of Pitlochry in Perthshire, less than two hours' drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Your Hotel

Formerly a church minister’s country residence, this charming personally-run hotel has open views across the Pass of Killiecrankie to the densely wooded hillsides bordering the River Garry. This is a truly delightful location, deep in the heart of the rolling Perthshire countryside yet just a few miles from Pitlochry.

Day Two 

Take the short drive to nearby Loch Tay for the unique experience of "Photo Deer Stalking". Made famous by Queen Victoria in the early 1800s, Red Deer stalking was once the exclusive domain of the landed gentry. This version is still an excellent way to feel the exhilaration of the wild mountains of the Highlands in the company of someone at home in this landscape. Armed with your digital camera and binoculars, put on your gear, meet your personal Ghillie, board your Land Rover and head into the hills to seek the "Monarch of the Glen". Using centuries-old traditions of stalking and mountain craft, see how close you can get to your quarry. You need to be fairly fit but this can be one of the most rewarding days of a lifetime. The experience includes a lovely lunch in a romantic Highland "bothy", a traditional shepherd's hut.

Day Three

Today travel a little further north to the Cairngorm National Park, and the area north of Aviemore. We'll provide plenty of recommendations for things to see and do on the way, whether that's taking in breathtaking views, visiting a local distillery or seeking some cashmere bargains or other highland treats at the wonderful House of Bruar.

Your hotel - option one

Once a Victorian Sporting Lodge, your charming hotel is set amidst 10 beautiful acres of the best "Monarch of the Glen" countryside. Surrounded by forests and mountains, you can even glimpse an ancient castle as you stroll through the gardens or take tea on the elevated garden terrace. Recently refurbished and updated the hotel is a wonderful blend of the traditional and modern, and has become an elegant yet informal ‘boutique-style’ country house where you immediately feel at home. Dining in the impressive Victorian conservatory is quite an experience. There is an extensive and imaginative wine list and the menu, created by the hotel’s award-winning chef, is modern Scottish with French and Dutch influence.

Your hotel - option two

Our alternative hotel in the Cairngorms National Park is a delightful, and award-winning "restaurant with rooms"  This family run hotel retains the character and many original features of the 19th century watermill from which it was converted. Delicious award-winning fare featuring fresh seasonal produce is served in the fire-lit oak-beamed restaurant, followed by a dram of your favourite malt in one of two cosy lounges. The mill is set in four acres of riverside grounds teeming with red squirrels and wild flowers - the bedrooms overlook either the forest canopy or the mill stream which lulls you off to sleep as it babbles over the rocks below. Rated by the AA as one of the top 200 places to stay in the UK, and by the Good Food Guide as one of the six best places to eat in the Highlands, this is a wonderful base to relax in the heart of the Cairngorms.

Day Four

Your second day of wildlife-watching will be in the company of another highly experienced and knowledgeable private guide. Your programme for the day 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 spotting bottlenose dolphins and otters.

Day Five

Return Home

Prices & Dates

This holiday can be arranged from March to November 2010.

The price based on the first option hotel is £525 per person for March & November, £550 for April, May, June & October, £560 for July, August & September, based on 2 people sharing a room for 4 nights, two on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis, two on a bed & breakfast basis. 

Add £75 per person if you prefer the restaurant with rooms, but this includes dinner for all four nights of the holiday.

Prices include a half day photo-deer stalking safari and lunch, and full day with your own private wildlife guide in the Cairngorms & Strathspey area.

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.

Important Note: 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 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.