
European otter
© Ian MacLeod, Wild West
Loch Linnhe, Highland
The Big Five safari
Join a full day safari with Wild West to look for Scotland's "Big Five" of red deer, otters, golden eagle, red squirrels and seals. This trip runs every Wednesday from Easter until the end of October and includes a 2 hour cruise on Loch Shiel.
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
From £145 per adult
Departure days
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
April — October
Contact details
9 Mackay Crescent
Fort William
Inverness-shire
Scotland
PH34 4EA
Key facilities
- Parking
Tour information
Covid 19 Facilities
- COVID-19 measures in place
- COVID-19 refund and cancellation policy in place
- Capacity limit
- Clear signage
- Face masks available for visitors
- Facilities must be booked
- Hand sanitiser available to visitors & staff
- Hygiene screens in place
- Online booking possible
- Pets welcome during COVID-19 restrictions
Tour Stops
Tour gallery

Tour company information
Wild West
Wild West offer a selection of wildlife safaris, scenic tours and photography tours in the west of Scotland. Based in Fort William safaris and tours can cover locations such as Ardnamurchan, Glencoe, Glen Nevis and the islands of Mull and Skye. On wildlife safaris we will be looking for red deer, otters, eagle, red squirrels and seals amongst other species. Join us in October to see the red deer rut. Binoculars and spotting scopes are provided for guest use. Your guide Ian MacLeod is an experienced photographer who will be happy to help you get the best from our camera.
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