Heart of Scotland: Into The Great Forest of Caledon, Strathspey

• Get face to face with the inhabitants of some of the last remaining Caledonian forest including Red Squirrel, Crested Tit and some fascinating invertebrates. 
• Seek out the elusive Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare on the UK’s highest mountain peaks. 
• Uncover the understory secrets of the Caledonian Forest with PlantLife Scotland.
• Rewilding experts Scotland: The Big Picture reveal how they are restoring ancient ecosystems.
• Look for Pine Marten, Badger, Reindeer, Black Grouse, eagles, Osprey and many, many more species.

Spring comes late in Strathspey and these mini-expeditions are timed perfectly to coincide with that burst of life; the arrival of many migrant birds, the emergence of several fascinating insects and the first flowers of the season. It will be a sensory overload. 

In the crisp mountain air of the Cairngorms we will go in search of Ptarmigan, Mountain Hare and Snow Bunting, whilst beneath us Caledonian Forest festooned in lichens and epiphytes blankets Strathspey. In these forests and glades Black Grouse and Capercaillie announce their presence with some impressive strutting, Red Squirrel and Pine Marten will be actively foraging and we will also look for Crested Tit whilst listening out for the haunting call of Red- and Black-throated Divers. We may even find the endemic Scottish Crossbill, a species only found in Highland pine forests.

Throughout this unique expedition we will be engaging with our conservation partners who bring their own expertise and knowledge to your experience. From ambitious rewilding projects to uncovering the botanical scarcities of the pine forests, we will be finding out first hand what is being done to protect the species and habitats we are there to experience. Our journey will be made even more enjoyable by tucking into delicious locally sourced produce and supporting community enterprises, and when the sun finally goes down after an exciting day you can relax in comfort at our carefully chosen accommodation.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Meet in Inverness and travel into Strathsprey whilst searching for Golden Eagle and Mountain Hare en route, before arriving at our private lodge and cosy base for the duration of this trip.

Days 2-4:

We will spend three full days exploring the rich habitats of the Strathspey and Cairngorms National Park. On the slopes of the Cairngorms we hope to encounter Mountain Hare, Ptarmigan, Red Grouse and maybe even the resident herd of Reindeer whilst the sheltered Caledonian pine forests of the Spey Valley hold Red Squirrel, Pine Marten, Black Grouse, Crested Tit, and maybe even a glimpse of a Capercaillie. The extensive marshes and lochans are home to the highly evocative Red- and Black-throated Diver, Goldeneye and many wading birds. We will also search out some of the forests’ lesser-known species including the rare Kentish Glory moth.

As well as seeing these species close up and personal, we will get behind the scenes and hear directly from the organisations involved in conserving and managing species and the efforts being made to rewild the great Scottish landscape.

Day 5:

Our last morning will be spent looking for Bottlenose Dolphin and Red Kite around the Moray Firth before heading to Inverness where the tour will end.

View the detailed itinerary here.

Visit our website for more details about his tour.

Why not recreate this experience with friends on dates that suit you? Build on our existing itinerary to customise your experience.