Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

FIFA World Cup 2026

Cheer on Scotland at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and find information about fan zones in Scotland, stadium tours and more.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Countdown to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Less than 100 days to go until 11 days of world-class action across the city, bringing 3,000 athletes from 74 nations together to compete across 10 sports.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Start planning your summer break

Witness Scotland step into summer, with longer days and plenty of experiences to enjoy from coastal walks to fun exhibitions.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

Scottish music festivals

Find out what’s happening in Scotland this year

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

As seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

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The Ettrick Water, Selkirk

© Gethin Chamberlain, Go Wild Scotland

Selkirk

Ettrick Explorer

This three and a half hour guided walk with a wildlife ranger offers a great opportunity to enjoy the wildlife of the Scottish borders woods and riverbank.

Join a wildlife ranger on an expedition to explore the ecosystem of the Scottish borders woods and riverbank.

We’ll be wandering the woods, listening to the birdsong and looking out for the creatures that live there, before heading out along the banks of the Ettrick Water as it flows east towards the River Tweed and on to the North Sea.

Along the way we’ll be looking out for birds such as great spotted woodpecker, kingfisher, sparrowhawk - and hoping that we might get lucky and catch sight of the elusive otters.

We meet in the car park at Selkirk Leisure Centre and head off along the riverside path for a guided stroll around Mauldsheugh Wood.

Mauldsheugh is our own community wildlife project, where we have been improving the habitat to make it home to a wider range of wildlife. We were pretty happy when we spotted our first pine marten this year!

You might catch sight of the roe deer that live in and around the wood and won’t be able to miss the birdsong. 

The wood is home to a great variety of species including great spotted woodpecker (we’ve seen green woodpecker too), tawny owl, sparrowhawk, nuthatch, buzzard, moorhen, blackcap, treecreeper, chiff chaff and all manner of finches and tits.

From Mauldsheugh we’ll head over the river to stroll along the banks of the Ettrick Water, keeping an eye out for herons, dippers, salmon and maybe even a glimpse of osprey.

At the Golden Eagle information centre we learn about the release programme for these magnificent birds. Depending on the time of year, we’ll also look for salmon moving up the fish ladder to the next level of the river.

After a stop to give everyone a chance to purchase refreshments at the cafe and make use of the facilities we’ll return along an old mill lade, hoping to catch a glimpse of the kingfishers that are regularly spotted there.

After that you are free to spend as much time as you want revisiting some of the places you’ve seen, armed with all your new knowledge! 

Nearest toilets: Selkirk Leisure Centre (at start) and Selkirk town centre 900m; Waterwheel cafe (1.5km from start)

We run our nature walks to give more people a chance to enjoy the wildlife of southern Scotland and to help cover the cost of our community nature and wildlife projects. All profits go back into the community interest company to enable us to continue to operate our Mauldsheugh Wood community wildlife project, along with nature clubs, school visits and collaborations with other community groups.

From £35 per adult

Departure days

  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday
  • Sunday

January — December

Book now

Contact details

Go Wild Scotland CIC

Raebank
Chapel Street
Selkirk
Scottish Borders
Scotland
TD7 4LB
View tour provider details

Key facilities

  • Parking
  • Level Access
  • Disabled Parking

Tour information

Starting

  • Selkirk

Length

½ Day

Transport

  • Walking

Languages

  • English

Themes

  • Landscapes
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Photography
  • Walking
  • Wildlife

Tour prices

From £35 Per Adult £20 Per Child

Book now

Prices are subject to change depending on season

Tour gallery

Go Wild Scotland CIC

Tour company information

Go Wild Scotland CIC

Go Wild Scotland is a community interest company bringing people together with nature. Our wildlife experiences help guests make the most of the natural beauty of southern Scotland. Activities include nature walks, full day private Land Rover safaris and conservation volunteering experiences where guests join an experienced ranger to learn about local wildlife while helping out at our own community wildlife project. And as a CIC, every penny we raise goes back into supporting our free community wildlife programmes – so not only do guests have a great time, they make a difference too!

Social Channels

Visit Go Wild Scotland CIC

Opening times

We're open throughout the year, with a programme of events advertised on our website.

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Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

FIFA World Cup 2026

Cheer on Scotland at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and find information about fan zones in Scotland, stadium tours and more.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Countdown to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Less than 100 days to go until 11 days of world-class action across the city, bringing 3,000 athletes from 74 nations together to compete across 10 sports.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Start planning your summer break

Witness Scotland step into summer, with longer days and plenty of experiences to enjoy from coastal walks to fun exhibitions.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

Scottish music festivals

Find out what’s happening in Scotland this year

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

As seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter