The Big Five safari

Scotland’s Big Five of golden eagle, red deer, red squirrel, otter and harbour seal can all be found within 25 miles of Fort William On this safari it’s possible to see them all on the same day.

Our cruise vessel, MV Sileas

The trip includes a 2 hour cruise on Loch Shiel, taking you into the heart of some of Scotland’s wildest country. Cruises/boat trips can be included in full day safaris on other days, by request.

Leaving Fort William at 08.30, we travel along Loch Eil to Glenfinnan. Here you will join skipper Ally Monsef of Loch Shiel cruises on a one way cruise to Acharacle at the south end of the loch. You’ll be looking out for golden eagles, red deer, sea eagles, hen harrier and black throated divers amongst others. And what Aly doesn’t know about the history of the area hasn’t yet been written!

At Acharacle, on the edge of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, you’ll be met again by Ian MacLeod and the Wild West mini bus.

Seals regularly haul out on Loch Sunart

From there we’ll wind our way along Loch Sunart, visiting the Garbh Eilean wildlife hide. Here we hope to find seals hauled out on the rocks, herons, mergansers, terns and  otters. At the hide we will enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch whilst enjoying the abundant wildlife. If time permits we’ll detour round by Kingairloch looking for golden eagle, red deer, hen harriers, and feral goats.

Crossing the Corran ferry we’ll be looking out for the black guillemots that nest on the old jetty, and perhaps porpoises before making our final stop of the day at Inchree forest, where the forestry commission have set up feeders and a screen to watch the final member of the Big Five, the red squirrel.

Finally, back to Fort William for tea…

The Big Five safari is only available on Wednesdays and the trip lasts approximately 8 hours. Boat and ferry fares are included in the cost. 

Cost: Adults £125.00 each. Under 16’s £95.00 each