Cairngorms Wildlife
Red deer
Explore unique Highland landscapes with your very own private wildlife guide.
This special road trip holiday combines two unforgettable Scottish wildlife experiences in the spectacularly beautiful Cairngorms National Park. Covering around 10% of Scotland, this is the largest National Park in the UK and is home to a quarter of Scotland’s native woodland. Habitats vary from wild tundra on the high mountain tops to ancient woods of Caledonian Pine, heather-covered moorland to majestic glens – this really is the Scottish Highlands at their finest. The park has been featured within David Attenborough’s Wild Isles on the BBC.
Holiday Details
Day with a Private Wildlife Guide*
What better way to experience Scotland’s wildlife than in the company of a highly experienced and knowledgeable guide? Even better when the guide is yours on a private basis for the day, so your programme will be tailored to suit, with your guide using unbeatable local knowledge to track down the species you most want to see.
*This will be a 4 hour guided private wildlife tour from November to March.
Choose from the following themes:
Highland Glens
For golden eagles, red deer, red-throated divers, red kites, ring ouzels.
Pine Forest
With such species as capercaillie, black grouse, crested tits or Scottish crossbills, and the chance of red squirrels.
Moorland & Moray Firth
Begin the day exploring moorland for red grouse, black throated divers and mountain hares then on to the Moray Firth for osprey, sea-duck and terns, with a good chance of bottlenose dolphins and otters.
Evening Wildlife Watching
This unique experience includes up to three hours at a comfortable hide in the Cairngorms National Park where pine martens and badgers, as well as other wild mammals, are regularly seen. (Bill Oddie and the BBC have visited here regularly to film.) Throughout your visit to the baited hide you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will keep you informed about everything you see; you’ll be in a small group of no more than six.
Your Accommodation in the Cairngorms
Your accommodation in the Cairngorms is a former Edwardian hunting lodge, steeped in history and full of character. Set in a peaceful location with excellent walking routes nearby, this is an ideal location for exploring the Scottish highlands. With just six bedrooms, an impressive guest lounge featuring a large bay window affording fabulous views across the Cairngorms, it would be hard not to relax in the tranquil surroundings. Enjoy a warm welcome from your hosts and personalised service during your stay.
What Else to See and Do
This is a perfect base to explore the National Park and the surrounding highland landscape of majestic mountains, rivers and lochs. You can enjoy a short trip on the wonderful Strathspey Steam Railway from nearby Grantown, or walk on the sandy beach of Loch Morlich. The hotel is a mine of information on local walks and excursions, several beginning in and around the village itself. The town of Aviemore is within easy reach, as are the glorious sandy beaches of the Moray coast and the myriad castles and distilleries of Speyside.
Location
This short break is based in the midst of the Cairngorms National Park.
Pricing
£545 per person for November 2023 to March 2024, £625 per person for April to October.
The above pricing does not include stays over Christmas or New Year from 23 December to 8 January. If you are interested in taking a holiday across these dates, please get in touch for a bespoke quote.
All prices based on two people sharing a double room ensuite for three nights on a bed & breakfast basis, including a day with a private wildlife guide exploring the highlights of Cairngorms wildlife, and an evening visit to a wildlife hide to view badgers and pine martens.
Note for wildlife trips: We cannot of course guarantee that you will see any of the wildlife described – these are wild animals and as such cannot be called to order, and no refund will be made if you are unlucky enough not to see any of the animals described, despite the very best efforts of the guides.
Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including full directions, recommended routes, and suggestions on places to visit depending on your interests and our local knowledge to help you get the most from your holiday. All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.
We work hard to make sure the unexpected doesn’t affect your trip. On rare occasions, changes or cancellations may occur, affecting accommodation, transport or excursions. We are committed to informing you of any such circumstances and will use our knowledge and resources to offer suitable alternatives wherever possible.
You are requesting availability for
Cairngorms Wildlife
This holiday can be arranged from January to December – though stays over the Christmas or New Year period from 23rd December to 8th January will require a bespoke quote.
Availability is individually checked for a hand-picked selection of smaller hotels, guest houses and other independent businesses, so please bear with us and we will respond in 1-2 working days.
Please note: All fields marked * are required
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The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee
All our holiday prices include a service charge of £9 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.
We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.
