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Great Scottish Wildlife from £995pp for 8nts

This holiday selected by the Sunday Times as one of their Top 100 new holidays for 2008.

Combining the Isle of Mull, Perthshire and the Cairngorms in one exhilarating trip, this nine day adventure includes a wildlife safari to view otters and rare golden and sea eagles, a marine trip to spot Minke Whales, basking sharks and porpoise, red deer stalking (photo shots only) the services of your own private guide for the day and a visit to a night hide used by the BBC. Some of the best wildlife in the world is on our doorstep so why not find out for yourself?

Day One

Your wildlife adventure starts with an afternoon ferry from Oban to the Isle of Mull, your first base. Your hotel is in the quiet Victorian village of Dervaig.

Day Two

Today's full-day 'wildlife safari' will not only introduce you to Mull's most spectacular wildlife hotspots, but is a great way to explore some of the more remote and scenic highlights of this wildly beautiful island. Your friendly hosts Pam and Arthur will help you to look out for golden eagles soaring in silent glens and swooping down to protect their chicks, white tailed sea eagles hunting in coastal bays, hen harriers gliding over scrub and marshes, perhaps even otters sunning themselves in seaweed-strewn bays. Coffee and tea are supplied, binoculars are provided, and Pam's homemade soup and buns are legendary!

Day Three

Perhaps the highlight for many is today's whale-watch. You will spend the day at sea in the company of expert marine biologists searching for minke whales. Spotting a whale in the wild is still one of the greatest thrills in nature. Spot them gliding elegantly through the water, perhaps lunging through a shoal of fish and breaking the surface. Along the way watch out for harbour porpoise, dolphins, both bottlenose and common, many seabirds and perhaps even a harmless basking shark, or for the very lucky,an orca or killer whale.

Day Four

A day at leisure on the Isle of Mull, ideall to practice your new-found wildlife-spotting skills, seek out the island's sandy eaches or take a day trip to the atmospheric neighbouring islands of Iona or Ulva.

Day Five

Depart Mull by the shorter ferry to Lochaline and drive east through Glencoe, to the hills around Loch Tay and your next base. Your charming hotel stands at the foot of a beautiful glen, in the heart of an historic arts & crafts village. Inside, the hotel’s light and fresh décor exudes an air of relaxed conviviality; more welcome ‘country home’ than formal ‘country house’. Roaring log fires heat the rooms in winter, and the well-stocked library is the perfect place to read up on the fascinating local history at any time of the year.

Day Six

You will join today's guide in the late morning for the unique experience of "Photo Deer Stalking". Experience the wonder of this wilderness environment as you get up close to Britain’s largest land mammal in the company of an experienced stalker. Red Deer Stalking, made famous by Queen Victoria in the early 1800 was once the domain of the landed gentry and is an excellent way to feel the exhilaration of the wild mountains of the Highlands in the company of an experienced stalker.
Armed with your Digital Camera and Binoculars set your sights, put on your gear, meet your personal Ghillie, board your land Rover and head to the hills to stalk the Monarch of the Glen. Using centuries-old traditions of stalking and mountain craft, stalk your quarry for the best photo-shot. You need to be fairly fit but this can be one of the most rewarding days of a lifetime. The experience includes lunch in a Highland "bothy" or shepherd's hut.

Day Seven

Travel north through the Highlands to the Spey valley. Your hotel is a comfortable country bed & breakfast with modern design features, just on the edge of Aviemore and close to the Rothiemurchus Estate.

This evening you will visit 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.

Day Eight

Your final day of wildlife-watching will be in the company of another highly experienced and knowledgeable 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 and 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 Nine

Return home

Prices & Dates

This holiday can be arranged from Easter to end September. On certain dates the holiday may be arranged in reverse order to that described here.

The price is £995 per person for holidays in April, £1175 per person for May, June, July, August & September 2012. Prices based on 2 people sharing, for 8 nights on a bed & breakfast basis, in a double or twin room ensuite.

Price includes the following excursions:

• Full day wildlife safari on Mull
• Full day whale-watch with 6 hours at sea from Mull (in April holiday includes a half day marine wildlife adventure boat trip instead).
• Half day guided "photo deer-stalking" trip
• Full day with private wildlife guide in the Cairngorm National Park
• Evening guided visit to a wildlife hide in the Rothiemurchus estate

The price also includes ferry travel for car and passengers to/from Mull.

All holidays include a touring map with recommended routes from your specified starting point in Scotland, 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.