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 

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Hen Harrier, male

© Dan Brown

Islay, Scotland

Islay & Jura in Autumn — The Eagle Islands Wildlife Tour

With 7 full days on Islay and Jura experience daily encounters with Golden Eagles, White-tailed Eagles and thousands of geese. Hen Harriers, Otters, Deer, Seals and countless dabbling and wading birds await you on the Queen of the Hebrides.

As seen on BBC's 'Wild Isles'

Winners of the National Thistle Award 2022/23 for 'Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience'

Tour Dates: 1st - 8th November 2025

2027 dates TBC.

Highlights
  • Seven FULL days on Islay & Jura
  • Daily encounters with Golden & White-tailed Eagles
  • With as many as 30,000 Barnacle Geese and 6,500 Greenland White-fronted Geese we will be in for a spectacle
  • Witnessing the arrival of not only geese but Whooper Swans from Iceland
  • Enjoy communal roosts of Hen Harriers and sightings of Merlin & Peregrine
  • The shores of these islands are excellent for Otters
  • Jura is home to as many as 5,000 Red Deer as well as Roe Deer
  • Common & Grey Seals can be found all around the coast
  • As well as the geese there are thousands wildfowl & waders including Purple Sandpiper and many seaducks
  • The expert leadership of Calum Urquhart
  • Stay in high quality accommodation
  • Small group size 4-10.
Islay, also known as The Queen of the Hebrides, is a wildlife haven with resident Otters, seals and deer and in autumn this rugged island explodes with tens of thousands of birds. Take a short ferry ride to Jura and share the landscape with numerous pairs of Golden and White-tailed Eagles soaring overhead, over 5,000 Red Deer grazing the stark hillsides and good numbers of Otters along the coastline. There really isn’t anywhere better to be in Autumn than on these southern-most Hebrides searching for the best of their wildlife. 

Itinerary

Day 1:

Meet in Glasgow and travel west through Argyll to join the ferry over to Islay. We will keep an eye out for interesting animals along the route and the ferry crossing can be good for Porpoises, dolphins and seabirds. We will settle into our base on Islay for the next 7 nights.

Days 2-5:

We will have four full days to explore the magical island of Islay. In autumn it is home to tens of thousands of Barnacle Geese, alongside them hundreds of Greenland White-fronted Geese and also often rarer species such as Cackling Goose and Snow Goose may be found. The estuaries and floods attract flocks of Golden Plovers and Lapwing, up to 2,000 Teal, Pintail, Wigeon and Shoveler, whilst of the mudflats Knot, Grey Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin will all be actively feeding.

Along the open coast and sand dunes we will enjoy the enigmatic Chough and hopefully Snow Buntings whilst Purple Sandpipers may well be clinging to the rocks. Grey and Common Seals are common along the coast and with a bit of patience we should be rewarded with an Otter sighting or two.

With so many wildfowl and waders its not surprising that the island attracts an incredible number of eagles and we can expect to have daily encounters with White-tailed and Golden Eagles. The former can form small aggregations of up to 10 birds (sometimes more) in certain hotspots. Hen Harriers, Merlin and Peregrine are all widespread and at dusk Barn Owls can often be seen hunting the field margins and we may be lucky and find a Hen Harrier roost.

Days 6-7:

In stark contrast to our days on Islay, Jura is a formidable and rugged landscape. Here large herds of Red Deer graze the moors overseen by Golden and White-tailed Eagles soaring from the Paps of Jura. Wild Goats cling to the crags and along the shorelines Otters can be frequently found foraging in the seaweed strewn bays. Our focus will be finding and getting good views of Otters and hopefully some close eagle encounters too.

Day 8:

Depart Islay and make our way back to Glasgow where this tour will finish.

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.

From £2495 per adult

Departure days

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

October — November

Book now

Contact details

Wild Discovery

4 Fergach Cottages
Crathie
Ballater
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
AB35 5UL
View tour provider details

Tour information

Starting

  • Glasgow
  • Glasgow Airport
  • Glasgow City Centre

Length

8 Days

Transport

  • Driver guide
  • Minibus

Type

  • Bespoke
  • Private
  • Small Group (1-16)

Languages

  • English

Themes

  • Film and TV
  • Food and drink
  • LGBTQ
  • Landscapes
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Walking
  • Walking/Hiking
  • Wildlife

Tour prices

From £2495 Per Adult

Book now

Prices are subject to change depending on season

Tour Stops

Tour gallery

Wild Discovery

Tour company information

Wild Discovery

An award-winning wildlife-watching tour company run by experts for wildlife enthusiasts. Conservation and sustainability are at its core; travel with purpose, tread lightly and experience more. Founded by husband and wife team Dan & Rachael Brown, they bring passion and expertise to every expedition. Reconnect with nature through our fully inclusive, small-group tours or custom-made tours around Scotland and beyond.

Social Channels

Visit Wild Discovery

Opening times

Open all year.

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The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

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