Episode 84: Revisiting “A Highland Safari & Tips for Wildlife Watching in Scotland”
Let’s go on a Highland Safari in the Cairngorms National Park and spend time exploring the Snow Roads!
This is a newly remastered version of a Wild for Scotland classic, but even if you have heard to this story before, it’s worth listening again! The story featured newly done soundscapes, and afterwards, you’ll hear brand-new tips for wildlife watching in Scotland. Remastering stories is supported by the members of the Wild for Scotland Social Club đŹ Consider joining!
âThe Birds and the Treesâ is a story about a scenic road trip through the Cairngorms National Park. But it is also a story about Scottish wilderness â or rather whatâs left of it.
Weâre driving down the Snow Roads scenic route from Tomintoul to Glenshee, pass the jaw-droppingly dramatic pass at Lecht and dip down into the lush glen of the Royal Deeside.
Near Braemar, we’re detouring to Mar Lodge Estate and go for a walk through one of the Scots pine regeneration areas managed by the National Trust for Scotland.
After the story, Iâll tell you my top tips for wildlife watching in Scotland.
Tips for Wildlife Watching in Scotland
1) Timing is everything
Much of Scotlandâs wildlife is seasonal, which means you need to find out when is the best time to see a certain animal in the wild.
I canât tell you how many times Iâve had to tell people that they can only see puffins from May to July, and how disappointed they are, that theyâre not around in November.
If there is a certain animal you want to see – be it puffins, basking sharks or ospreys, make sure you check when they are actually around.
Here is a great overview of which Scottish animals to see when and where.
2) Pack a good pair of binoculars
I spent years travelling round Scotland without a pair of binoculars, and sometimes I wonder how I even saw anything.
Any experienced wildlife watcher is probably shaking their head right now, but we all start somewhere.
If you – like me – are curious about Scottish wildlife, you donât have to spend an awful lot of money on expensive binoculars. Just get a pair to begin with and take it from there. It will inarguably improve your sense of connection with nature.
3) Hire a wildlife guide or join a guided wildlife walk
Even better than a pair of binoculars, is a wildlife guide who can point them in the right direction for you. Iâm always in awe of how many animals these skilled guides can spot in a sea of green or blue.
I spent a couple of days with wildlife guides in Shetland, Perthshire and Harris last year, and I have to admit, that those were some of my favourite experiences to research for my upcoming outdoor guidebook for Scotland.
One thing I love about heading out with a guide is that they can make the most out of any situation – even if the animal you had hoped to see, stays away that day.
A few of my favourite wildlife-watching opportunities:
- Beaver Safari in Blairgowrie with Perthshire Wildlife – listen to my podcast episode about my beaver canoe safari on the River Tay
- The Noss Boat Trip with Shetland Seabird Tours from Lerwick
- Snorkelling at Huisinis Beach with Wild Harris – listen to my podcast episode about snorkelling & eagle watching in Huisinis
- A day of wildlife watching with a guide from Shetland Nature
- Eagle watching with Tony from Walk Mull – listen to my podcast episode about my hike with Tony
PS: That guidebook is coming out soon and will be available in German. Make sure you follow me on Instagram @watchmesee for updates.
4) Consider your impact on the environment
I assume that if youâre interested in wildlife watching, youâre also interested in minimising your impact on the landscapes that these animals call their home.
There are tons of things you can do to be a responsible nature tourist, like hiring local guides, supporting conservation organisations like the Scottish Wildlife Trust, contributing to citizen science projects or picking low-impact activities that are kind to the planet, like land-based whale watching along the Whale Trail.
Another aspect of this is to slow down, pick accommodation with green credentials, and travel by public transport to limit the carbon footprint on your trip.
Here are my top tips for how to be a responsible traveller in Scotland, with lots of other tips.
5) Find joy in the little things
While it might be exciting to see a minke whale breach in the waves, or an otter crack open an urchin with a rock – those “big hitters” are not the only wildlife viewing opportunities to look forward to. In many ways, itâs just as nice to listen to a common robin sing its song high up in the woodland, or to watch a herd of deer grazing on the slopes.
You may head out with a set idea of what youâd like to see, but more often than not, nature has a different plan. I encourage you to find joy in the little things, even if you only see animals, that youâve seen or heard before – I guarantee you, if you approach every wildlife watching opportunity with curiosity, youâll find something new, even in those familiar sounds.
