Wild At Heart

Unique, beautiful coastal wildlife adventures! Day trips, wildlife watching and conservation holidays and nature retreats. We create the perfect outdoor experiences that are memorable, fun and increase awareness and care for the environment

Fall in love with Scotland’s wild inhabitants of sea, countryside and coast with Wild at Heart holidays! Our exciting adventures with wildlife in magical Scottish forest, coast and field are led by nature-dedicated marine biologist Deborah Benham (PhD). Her bespoke team of knowledgeable, enthusiastic local experts are all lovers of the local land, ready to share its tales and it’s ‘not in the guidebook’ spots - leaving you with a sense of wellbeing  and a deeper connection to the natural world.  

Let Wild at Heart guide you in nature connection with journaling and picnicking; back-dropped by huge coastal sunsets and wild, wide-open moors and mountains. Head out to spot bottlenosed dolphins, seals, nesting gannets and coastlines so beautiful and quiet you will feel like the only person on earth. Choose from  expertly guided coastal wildlife watching breaks, day trips, practical wildlife conservation holidays and nature connection retreats  in and around the glorious Moray Firth coastline, twice voted one of the world’s most beautiful coasts by National Geographic magazine

Wild at Heart will help you create your perfect outdoor experience. We love guiding fun, memorable adventures, whilst increasing awareness and care for the environment. Wild at Heart are experts at sustainable wildlife holidays so all experiences are underpinned with a deep care of the land you’ll be exploring. Leave your Wild at Heart trip in awe of nature’s secrets and beauty, totally refreshed but also understanding your part in effectively sustaining this wonderful planet for its inhabitants.

Accommodation is based in Forres; choose from one of our 'Victorian Explorer' themed luxury bell tents or B&B, both based at a sustainable community in a stunning Victorian 'eco-mansion' house. Organic home-cooked meals and packed lunches available. We are an environmentally friendly and socially responsible company committed to protecting nature and wildlife and working for the benefit of our local community.

Day trips

• Dolphin and Seal Discovery Day Spend the day with a marine biologist, exploring and learning about the Moray Firth. This special area is home to a resident group of bottlenose dolphins plus seals and many different seabirds.  Land and boat based options available. 

• Wild Skills Day!  Come and unravel natural mysteries and hone your aptitude for living outdoors with bird language experts and foragers in sun-speckled woodland.  Track wildlife and identify wild foods before building your own shelter and starting a cooking fire (without matches!) Suitable for everyone, age 5+. No previous knowledge or skills required. 

• Shoreline shenanigans Muck about in rock-pools and discover the underwater communities that live there. Comb the beach for curiosities and natural treasures  - then make a work of art out of driftwood and shells. You can play ecological and nature games before stopping for a ‘vintage-themed’ picnic or simply relax in the knowledge that you don't have to do the organising for once! Perfect for the young and the young at heart.

• Nature Journaling workshop Slow down, listen deeply and reconnect with the landscape through nature observation, guided writing and art activities. Create a beautiful personalised journal to take away with you. No age limit and no artistic flair required - just a desire to connect and create with natural beauty.

Short Breaks & Tailored Holidays: Available March - October

Create the perfect natural getaway for yourself, you and your partner, your family or group. Try a bit of ‘glamping’ in our fabulous bell tents, set in an apple orchard in the grounds of a stunning Victorian mansion run by a sustainable community. Each tent is comfortably furnished in a vintage nature style (think Victorian explorer's tent with artefacts, wildlife books, knitted rugs and magnifying glasses). A unique opportunity to experience life in an eco-community while having your own space  to do your thing. B&B or full board available. All short breaks must include at least one of our guided activities (half or full day). Optional extras: yoga classes, meditation and Taize singing.

Scheduled holidays: Regular dates from April - October
Nature Retreats A relaxing short break (3 nights) or holiday (6 nights) for singles, couples or groups of friends, including the perfect balance of inspirational nature-based activities and time to chill out. Explore ancient forests, watch wildlife (seals, dolphins and birds) with a Thermos of organic hot chocolate or take a guided walk or kayaking day. Try out nature journaling and heritage crafting classes such as willow weaving or felting with experienced guides and local artisans.  Alternatively,  relax in the sunshine (this area of Scotland has the highest hours of sunshine in the UK!) at your fabulous accommodation enjoying the organic gardens, orchard and woodland walks.
 

Family Holidays In the same location and accomodation and with mainly the same options as the Nature Retreat (crafting, beach activities boat trips and wildlife watching) but we will create you a more active, family-focused itinerary. Parents/guardians can join in with the kids or just relax and unwind as we do all the hard work! 

Marine Wildlife Week – New for this year!

Spend a whole week with our founder, marine biologist and dolphin expert, Deborah Benham (PhD). Based in the beautiful Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation, the perfect opportunity to get to know our resident bottlenose dolphins; plus seals, seabirds and maybe harbour porpoises, basking sharks and minke whales. We also offer a family-friendly Marine Week based on the Isle of Mull, one of the most picturesque coastal villages in Scotland. Mull is famous for its whales, dolphins, basking sharks, puffins, golden eagles, white tailed eagles and otters. Bring a camera!

Where we are

This region of Moray Speyside is a small area surprisingly rich in habitats; ranging from tidal bays (great for wildfowl and osprey spotting), stunning coastline (with large resident seal and dolphin populations), to river valleys with ancient woodland (great for tracking otter and deer), high moors and mountains (eagles, mountain hare, capercaillie, black grouse) and large areas of Scots pine (perfect for native Scottish wildlife like red squirrels and crested tits).

Our accomodation is based on the outskirts of Forres, in the gorgeous region of Moray Speyside and just 27 miles east of Inverness. A mere 6 miles away is Findhorn Bay, a top seal-spotting location.

We are also a short ride away from the famous Findhorn Foundation community, Logie Steading, a converted farmstead of local artisans with second-hand bookshops, an art gallery and farm shop. A variety of medieval castles, Pictish monuments, gardens and a wide variety of outdoor activity providers are a stones' throw away.