Tours
SCOTLAND – HIGHLANDS, ISLE OF SKYE AND ORKNEY TOUR
Dates: 31 July to 11 August 2006
Duration: 12 days (Inverness to Inverness)
Cost per person: US$4,500 twin share/double (ex Inverness/Inverness)
Itinerary
Day 0 : ARRIVAL TO THE UK and travel to Inverness (own arrangements)
Day 1 – 31 July - INVERNESS, HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Pick up from hotel. Travelling east to Nairnshire, we visit the historic site of Culloden Battlefield, the last battle fought on British soil in 1746. This was a desperate fight which changed the history of the Highlands forever, led to the break down of the clan system, and paved the way for the Highland Clearances.
Next we visit Clava Cairns three well preserved Neolithic cairns, thought to be ritual burial chambers connected with the Winter Solstice and death, which show evidence of both inhumations and cremations. Two of the cairns are Chambered Tombs with cup marked stones and the third is a Ring Cairn, which is unique to the Moray Firth Area and thought to be connected with the magico-religious cults of our ancestors.
The third site today is Cawdor Castle and Gardens. Situated close to the East Highland town of Nairn, Cawdor has been the family home of the Thanes of Cawdor since the 14th Century. The castle contains a fine example of a 16th Century tower house with elegant 18th Century additions. Within the grounds of the Castle there are extensive nature trails and fine gardens.
Day 2 – 1 August - GLEN AFFRIC
Following breakfast we’ll drive west to the mountains and forests of Glen Affric. The last 6,000 years have witnessed the destruction of the native forests of Scotland, to the extent that there are now only small remnants of Old Caledonian Pine Forest left. Glen Affric is one of the most beautiful glens in the Highlands and is managed by Forest Enterprise as a Caledonian Pine Reserve. There will be an optional walk through the pinewood for about 4 miles on a well-maintained (although steep in places) path, set in magnificent scenery.
The mature Scots Pines have a charm and character all of their own. They support a unique range of wildlife, from woodland flowers such as Cowwheat and Wintergreen to pinewood habitat specialists with small numbers of Capercaillie and Black Grouse; and Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill. On the lochs are Red-throated and (occasionally) Black-throated Divers, with Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander. Every visit to Glen Affric is a special experience and former Groups have seen Red Squirrels, Pine Martens, Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks and Golden Eagles.
Day 3 – 2 August - THE BLACK ISLE
Much of today will be spent exploring the fertile peninsula of the Black Isle, with its abundant natural history and folklore. We begin with a scenic drive along the north shore of the Beauly Firth to look for a variety of species of wading birds and Bottle-nosed Dolphins. There is also the chance of seeing Ospreys or Red Kites. >From here we travel to Fortrose where we will stop to admire the 13th Century cathedral. It is impressive despite its ruined state.
We shall lunch at Chanonry Point – this spot is a good viewpoint over the narrowest part of the Moray Firth and is a well-known spot for dolphin watching. It is also good for seabird watching if the winds are from the northeast. After lunch we’ll continue on to the Georgian village of Cromarty and spend some time wandering at leisure around the fine merchants' houses and fishermen’s cottages on the foreshore. After this we’ll return through Inverness and head south into the mountains to Aviemore.
Day 4 – 3 August - ABERNETHY RSPB RESERVE & CAIRNGORMS
Just seven miles from Aviemore lies the RSPB’s Abernethy Forest Reserve. We will visit Loch Garten, where a little over fifty years ago the first pair of Osprey nested which started the reintroduction of this species to the UK. We will walk in the native Caledonian pinewoods in search of Capercaillie, Woodcock, Crested Tit, Scottish Crossbill and Red Squirrel. Beside the River Spey we’ll stop to look for Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and Dipper.
Late morning we’ll drive first to Loch Morlich set in pine forest and then to the Cairngorm car park which is half way up the mountain. The Cairngorms form the highest mountain plateau in Britain, the area is scenically impressive. We will take a path in search of the area’s three specialist mountain birds, Ptarmigan, Dotterel and Snow Bunting (the latter, the least predictable). We’ll be staying a second night at Aviemore and there are some other good birding locations close by which if we have time can check out – for example Insh Marshes which occupy the floodplain of the River Spey, most of it a designated reserve.
Day 5 – 4 August - LOCH NESS, KINTAIL & ISLE OF SKYE
The route to the west follows the Great Glen past Urquhart Castle, before turning west through Invermoriston and Glen Shiel. Glen Shiel was the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel, during the Jacobite Uprising of 1719. Just north of Glen Shiel stands Eilean Donan Castle, on a tidal island standing at the heads of Lochs Duich, Alsh and Long.
The road then takes us over the Bealach Udal hill pass to Kylerhea, to board the ferry to Glenelg. This small ferry takes about five minutes to cross the narrows, which the Skye drovers used as a crossing place whilst herding their cattle on their journey south to the cattle market at Falkirk. There are often Grey and Common Seals to be seen here, swimming close to the ferry.
The Isle of Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides and an area which has been fought over during clan feuds for many centuries. The clans of MacDonald and MacLeod dominate in the history of the island. We stay in Portree for two nights.
Day 6 – 5 August - ISLE OF SKYE - PORTREE & TROTTERNISH
The landscape of Skye is dominated by the results of intensive volcanic activity, which occurred 65 million years ago. Since then this landscape has been moulded by the natural forces of ice, wind and sea. Over the next two days we shall see the great mountain range of the Cuillins with its sharp arête ridges and deep corries, the deep western sea lochs which were once rivers of ice, the incredible volcanic landforms of northern Skye and the more sheltered straths and glens in the south of the island. These features all combine to create an island of unique character, rich in flora, fauna and turbulent history.
We head south to the Sleat Peninsula to explore this area, known as the Garden of Skye. The soil in this area is lime rich, leading to the most diverse habitats on the island. Here we find the Clan Donald Visitor Centre, detailing the history of Clan Donald, the lordship of the Isles and the Clan system in the Highlands, all set in the wonderfully restored grounds of Armadale Castle.
On leaving Armadale we drive north from Sleat, past Portree (Port Righ), to the Trotternish Peninsula, famous for its dramatic landscape. Following the eastern side of the peninsula we pass the Old Man of Storr (a 150ft rock pinnacle), the Kilt Rock (a basaltic igneous intrusion), and the thriving crofting community of Staffin.
At Staffin we shall turn briefly away from the coast. This spectacular road takes us through the Quirang, another geological wonder caused by the hard igneous rock cracking and splitting as the older and softer sedimentary rock which lies underneath collapses under its weight. After a walk out onto the ridge which overlooks Staffin and the mountains of Wester Ross on the mainland, we return to the main road at Staffin Bay. Driving north we continue our circuit of the Trotternish Peninsula, reaching the West Coast we shall stop at picturesque village of Portree for the evening.
Day 7 – 6 August - SOUTH SKYE, WESTER ROSS & SUTHERLAND
This morning we drive south through Skye to Kyle of Lochalsh and back to the mainland. From here we drive northwards for the village of Lochcarron, which is built along a raised beach. At Loch Kishorn we’ll do a short walk in a mosaic of woodlands looking towards the hills of Applecross. After lunch and a leisurely stroll through the picturesque village of Shieldaig we’ll head through the vigorous mountain scenery of the Torridon area to Kinlochwe. There’s a nature trail just beyond the village in part of the Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve which is mainly a woodland route, birch, rowan and holly trees grown among relic Scots Pines and we’ll search out various woodland birds.
Tonight we stay in Ullapool an attractive fishing village: the northwest’s principal centre of population, founded at the height of the herring fishing boom in 1788. Whilst the tourist action centres round the harbour we’ll search out one of the many cosy pubs offering traditional music.
Day 8 – 7 August - CAITHNESS & ORKNEY
This morning we continue our route across the north-western coast, through some of Scotland’s finest scenery. Certainly an area of wild splendour and we’ll make a number of short stops en route for views: Knockan Crag (nature trail), Ardvreck Castle (ruins), Kyle of Tongue (dramatic scenery). At Scrabster, we shall board the 1.15PM ferry and head for Orkney. It will take us two hours to cross the Pentland Firth, with plenty of opportunity to watch for dolphins, Minke Whales and other small cetaceans as well as seabirds like Gannets, Fulmars and Manx Shearwaters. We will also pass the Old Man of Hoy, a spectacular sandstone sea stack looming from the cliffs at the sea’s edge. The Orkney Islands are world famous for having the greatest concentration of archaeological monuments in Europe. Remote today, Orkney was once an important trade-centre, from the Stone Age to the Viking era.
After disembarking at the picturesque port of Stromness we drive to Kirkwall, the Orcadian capital, our base for three nights, and drop our bags off at our accommodation before heading into the town centre. We will visit the remarkable St Magnus’ Cathedral and spend time exploring the fascinating side streets of this ancient sandstone town.
Day 9 – 8 August - ORKNEY’S MAINLAND
Leaving Kirkwall we shall head for the 5,000-year-old tomb of Maes Howe to read the graffiti etched in the walls by Viking raiders. We then visit the impressive standing stones of the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. These Henge monuments hide the secret of their purpose, and we shall endeavour to unravel the mystery. Our next visit is to the well-preserved Stone-age village of Skara Brae for an insight into everyday life in 3,000 BC. Here there is an excellent visitor centre describing life during this ancient period.
West Mainland’s heather moorland supports some of the finest moorland bird communities in Britain. There are many freshwater lochs, and a number of wetland areas survive (despite considerable drainage) as important nesting habitat for ducks and waders. As we tour between the archaeological sites we’ll make numerous stops: Loch of Harray, Loch of Stenness for waterfowl, Marwick Head or Brough of Birsay for dramatic cliff scenery and seabirds, the Loons RSPB Reserve and the hide at Birsay Moors. We return to Kirkwall via the Iron Age defensive site of the Broch of Gurness.
Day 10 – 9 August - ORKNEY – ISLAND OF ROUSAY & TOMB OF THE EAGLES
Today we head for the island of Rousay. This island is a short ferry ride from the mainland and is an unusually hilly island scarred by glacial terracing. It contains some of the richest and best preserved monuments in the North of Scotland and in the west the ‘Great Ship of Death’, as Midhowe has been called, lies along a famous route of cairns and brochs, enabling the visitor to wander through 5000 years of history. The Trumland Orientation Centre contains detailed information and interpretation of many ancient sites as well as natural history, modern and historical Rousay. 
The breeding bird community of the island’s interior is impressive with, red-throated diver on the hill lochs and Hen harrier, Merlin, Curlew, Golden Plover, five species of gull and Short-eared owl on the heather moor. Woodland at Trumland House and Westness adds further diversity to the island’s birds.
The Tomb of the Eagles is a type known as a stalled tomb with a low passage entrance and a central chamber with side sections created of flagstone. The tomb itself is not unique but the quantity and type of bones found within are. There are the remains of an unidentified number of humans but most significantly a large quantity of bones and talons from Sea Eagles from which the tomb takes its name. We return to Kirkwall for dinner and the night.
Day 11 – 10 August - ORKNEY CAITHNESS
This morning we drive out to Scapa Flow, across the Churchill Barriers and on to the beautiful Italian Chapel near St Mary’s. Both were built by Italian prisoners of war (the chapel from two Nissan huts and the barrier from huge blocks of concrete). Our ferry departs from St Margarets Hope to Gills Bay. Once back on the real mainland we’ll pass through John O’Groats before heading south and southeast along the coast road. 
On route to our hotel at Beauly this evening we will stop at Dunrobin Castle, the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest house in the Northern Highlands. Dunrobin is the home of the Sutherland family, and has been so for nearly seven centuries. The oldest parts date from the early fourteenth century. The castle has been altered and extended throughout the centuries but the grandest and most extensive alterations were undertaken by the second Duke of Sutherland, during the Victorian era. The interior of the castle is open for a self-guiding tour, and steps lead from the castle to the gardens and museum below. Stay Inverness.
Day 12 – 11 August - DEPARTURE AND ONWARD TRAVEL
TOUR COST
Tour cost includes:
All accommodation
All meals (BLD incl. tea & coffee) and afternoon tea
All transportation (incl. ferry to Orkney)
Entrance Fees
Tour cost does not include:
International airfare
UK airfare or train travel to Inverness (return)
Accident/baggage/cancellation insurance
Medical expenses
Excess baggage charges
Individual transfers, optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour
Dishes and beverages not part of included meals
Telephone or fax charges
Other items of a personal nature.
The tour price is calculated as at April 2006, using exchange rates as quoted by BNZ. The price of your holiday is subject to a surcharge if currency fluctuations result in cost increases beyond our control. We will notify you of any price increase. At that stage you will be entitled to cancel your holiday with a full refund of all money paid. Such increases will not be made less than 60 days before commencement of your holiday. In the event of beneficial fluctuation in costs we will consider whether to reduce the tour price.
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Contact Kiwi Wildlife Tours:
Phone +64 9 422 6868
Fax +64 9 422 6362
Email info@kiwi-wildlife.co.nz
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