Trotternish , Isle of Skye

You will find that you have discovered probably the most scenic part of Britain – after all Skye was featured on ITV’s programme “Britain’s Favourite Views”.  The rugged Cuillin mountains and the majestic landslip of Trotternish are unique but we also have miles of coastline with rugged cliffs and small sandy beaches, heather moorland and woodland, both deciduous and plantation.  So much crammed into one island!  Many people also come in the hope of a glimpse of that elusive creature – a wild otter!  Luckily for us we have a good population and not only that, they are active in the day so there is no getting up at silly times of the night!  We will never promise a sighting but your chances are good and in addition you may also spot eagles (both white-tailed and golden), dolphins, whales, seals and seabirds.

One of the things which makes the trips such fun is that so many people come back year after year and there is always a great atmosphere amongst the group.  But if you haven’t been with us before you will soon find that we are a relaxed, welcoming bunch!  After all everyone has so much in common – a deep love of wildlife and wild places and a concern that these things are preserved.

Should you be interested in wildlife and also the geology, history and archaeology of Skye and its neighbouring island of Raasay – then our “Wildlife and Heritage” is for you;

Perhaps you would like to become an "Otter Detective" and learn how to identify secondary signs (spraints, washing pools, tracks, etc) so that you can explore for yourself when you go back home;

Or, if you would like to do a bit more walking but still enjoy wildlife, then take a look at our "Walking and Wildlife" trip.

If you have experience of otter surveying you may like to join our "Otter Survey of Longford", central Ireland.  Earlier this year the Irish SPCA opened an otter sanctuary here and so we want to find out the status of the local otter population.

 So choose your destination and promise yourself a really special and unforgettable holiday.

Contact us for a Factfile or click on the holiday of your choice in the programme below to read it on-line. 

Otter watching

Isle of Skye - Become an Otter Detective

We have undertaken extensive studies of habitat requirements and populations of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) since 1989, and are now developing this work by teaching people how to recognise otter signs, observing otters in the wild and the analysis of spraint (droppings) for the diet.    

Price includes 5 nights' bed and breakfast only, sharing a twin room in local bed and breakfast establishments, transport and training. 

 

Wildlife and Heritage Holidays

Dolphins

Come on a general week to watch wildlife (otters, seals, eagles) and to explore the scenery, geology and archaeology the island has to offer.  Skye has been a favourite haunt of geologists for many years with rocks ranging in age from the ancient Lewisian (the oldest in Britain at 2,600 million years old), through the Jurassic with sediments containing many fossils, to the youngest rocks, the igneous rocks of the Cuillin and lavas of north Skye - a mere 60 million years old!  Into historical times, or at least archaeological times, we have Iron Age brochs and souterrains and industrial archaeology in the Ironstone Mines of Raasay.                                              

Price includes 5 nights' bed and breakfast only, sharing a twin room in local bed and breakfast establishments, and all transport during the week.

Eagles

Otter Survey of Longford, Ireland

Come and do some real practical survey work and study otter populations in the Longford area of Ireland.  Here you will be walking the rivers and loughs, locating and surveying otter signs with the opportunity of seeing otters in the wild.

View across an Irish Lough

                                                                                                                      2008 Programme

EXCLUSIVE OTTER WATCHING TRIPS ON THE ISLE OF SKYE

All prices just include B&B

FITNESS LEVELS:

LEVEL 1:  Walking about 6-8 miles a day over rough tracks

LEVEL 2:  Walking about 6 miles over rough ground and slippery shoreline with some hills

If you are not sure about the level of fitness required please do contact us for advice.