Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County trip to Scotland's
Highlands, Isle of Skye and Orkney Islands.
Itinerary
May 25 - June 8, 2013
Day 1 - Saturday May 25
Depart Philadelphia in evening on US Airlines for our flight to Glasgow with dinner in flight.
Day 2 - Sunday May 26
Arrival at Aigas Field Centre (B,L,D, overnight at Aigas)
Guests will be welcomed to Aigas Field Centre by our friendly staff who will offer you a reviving cup of
tea and help you to your cabin.
Aigas Field Centre is based at the House of Aigas, a Victorian sporting lodge purchased by Sir John ListerKaye in 1977. In addition to the main house the estate comprises an extensive arboretum, formal
gardens, native pinewoods, birch woodland, exotic plantation, moorland and agricultural land as well as
a picturesque freshwater loch.
126 bird species have been recorded at Aigas, including regular sightings of raptors such as osprey,
peregrine, red kite, sparrowhawk and buzzard. Around your cabins the mixed woodland is alive with
siskins, goldfinches, greenfinches, goldcrests, spotted flycatchers, treecreepers, warblers and tits. In the
gloaming, tawny owls begin to hoot, roe deer bark and badgers snuffle around the grounds. Ever
optimistic pine martens may even skip along your balcony rail in the hope of finding a tasty titbit. We
will meet to discuss domestic arrangements for the week ahead and to talk about target species and
wish lists! Dinner will be at 7.00pm.
Day 3 - Monday May 27
The House of Aigas (B,L,D, overnight at Aigas)
After breakfast this morning, Sir John Lister-Kaye will welcome the group and deliver an illustrated talk
about the history of land use in the Highlands of Scotland. This lecture will set the scene for the rest of
the programme.
Before a buffet lunch there will be a house tour with Sir John. Lunch is followed by a guided walk led by
the Rangers around the Aigas Nature Trail. The path winds through parkland, broadleaved woodland,
lochside, moorland and native pinewood. This is a good chance to become acquainted with your
surroundings and with the flora and fauna of the Highlands. On our way back to the house we will stop
Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
off at our wildcat breeding project where we can discuss the plight of this highly threatened Scottish
predator, of which it is thought there may be as few as 400 left in the wild. The nature trail leads us back
to Aigas for afternoon tea at about 4.30pm.
This evening there will be a lecture entitled ‘An Introduction to the Habitats and Wildlife of the
Highlands of Scotland’, followed by dinner.
Day 4 – Tuesday May 28
Glen Affric (B,L,D, overnight at Aigas)
Following breakfast there will be a short lecture on pinewood ecology. We then drive west for
approximately 45 minutes 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. 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 including
birds such as the crested tit and Scottish crossbill. Every visit to Glen Affric is a special experience and
previous groups have seen red squirrels, pine martens, buzzards, sparrowhawks and golden eagles. We
will do a walk of about 4 miles.
This evening there will be a lecture entitled ‘An Introduction to Wester Ross and Skye’.
Day 5 - Wednesday May 29
Wester Ross (B,L,D, overnight at Skye hotel)
Today we will see some of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring scenery Scotland has to offer. The
journey west is truly remarkable, taking us from the hard, infertile rocks of the Moine series in the east
to the ancient gneisses and sandstones of the west. We take in Scotland’s most photographed glen, Glen
Docherty, which leads us down to one of Scotland’s largest freshwater lochs – the mystical Loch Maree.
Folklore abounds in this area and there is plenty of natural history too, this being one of the secret
release sites of the white-tailed eagle back in the 1980s.
Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
We will make a stop at Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve (NNR), the oldest NNR in Britain. This area
is a haven for wildlife with specialities like the pine marten, sea eagle, golden eagle, black throated diver
and red throated diver all thriving here.
Pressing on, we drive through Glen Torridon, passing several Munros (mountains over 3000 ft) and
witnessing some of the wildest and most remote places in the Highlands. We will take lunch at the
picturesque seaside village of Shieldaig before continuing westwards to Kyle of Lochalsh. It is here,
within sight of the controversial Skye Bridge that we will spend the evening.
Day 6 – Thursday May 30
Isle of Skye, Trotternish & Portree (B,L,D, overnight at Skye hotel)
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 Cuillin with its sharp arête ridges
and deep corries, the deep western sea lochs which were once rivers of ice, the incredible volcanic
Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
landforms of northern Skye and the most 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 will spend most of the day exploring the Macleod territory of the Trotternish peninsula, famous for
its dramatic landscape. Following the eastern side of the peninsula we will pass the Old Man of Storr (a
150 ft rock pinnacle), the Kilt Rock (a basaltic igneous intrusion) and the thriving crofting community of
Staffin.
At Staffin, we turn briefly away from the coast. This spectacular road takes us through the Quiraing,
another geological wonder, caused by the hard igneous rock cracking and splitting as the older and
softer sedimentary rock which lies underneath collapsed 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 to Staffin Bay for lunch.
After lunch we will take a scenic walk out to the ruins of Duntulm Castle, before heading on to the
fabulous Museum of Crofting Life. Here a series of traditional black houses and white houses depicts life
in the past, each laid out in a different way and showing the lifestyle of the Highlanders. Nearby is
Kilmuir Churchyard, home to a memorial of Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape
after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden (day 8).
From Kilmuir we complete the loop of the Trotternish Peninsula and drive South back to Portree,
stopping briefly at Skye’s award-winning Aros visitor Centre.
Day 7 - Friday May 31
South Skye & The Kyle Line (B,L,D, overnight at Aigas)
The road south provides further fantastic views of the soft, rolling red hills and the contrasting jagged
Black Cuillins towering above the road. 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.
After lunch we take the windy old drovers’ road through Glen Arroch over the Bealach Udal hill pass to
Kylerhea, to board the charming 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
Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
south to the cattle market at Falkirk. There are often grey and common seals and sometimes otters to
be seen here, swimming close to the ferry.
This afternoon we shall view the Bernara Barracks (which were built in 1720 after the Jacobite Rebellion
of 1719) and visit the well preserved Iron Age brochs of Dun Telve. We then drive east over Mam
Ratagan to Loch Duich, stopping to view the Five Sisters of Kintail, a mountain ridge that towers over
Glenshiel.
Turning northwards and passing Eilean Donan Castle we shall return to Kyle of Lochalsh, where the
group will board the train for one of the most scenic rail journeys in Britain back to Beauly. The
minibuses will be waiting to take everyone back to Aigas for dinner.
Day 8 - Saturday 1 June
Historical Day (B,L,D, overnight at Aigas)
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 breakdown 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 9 – Sunday 2 June
The Black Isle (B,L,D, overnight at Aigas)
Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
Today we spend 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 bottlenose dolphins. There is also the chance of seeing ospreys and red
kites.
From here we travel to Fortrose where we will stop to admire the 13th century cathedral, which is
impressive despite its ruined state. We shall lunch at Chanonry Point, a well-known spot for dolphin
watching , and then continue on to the Georgian village of Cromarty. We shall spend the afternoon in
Cromarty, wandering at leisure around the fine merchants' houses and fishermen’s cottages on the
foreshore before returning to Aigas. This evening there will be an introductory lecture on Orkney.
Day 10 – Monday 3 June
Sutherland, Caithness & Orkney (B,L,D, overnight on Orkney)
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 an early departure we shall drive through Sutherland and Caithness to Scrabster, where we will
board the 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.
Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
After disembarking at the picturesque port of Stromness we drive to Kirkwall, the Orcadian capital, 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 11 – Tuesday 4 June
Orkney – West Mainland (B,L,D, overnight on Orkney)
Leaving Kirkwall we 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.
Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
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. A short
distance north is the RSPB reserve of Marwick Head. Marwick Head is a very important reserve area, the
sheer sandstone cliffs provide nesting sites for thousands of seabirds including guillemots, razorbills,
fulmars, kittiwakes and puffins. A two mile circular walk takes us to the top of the cliffs where there are
a number of excellent viewing points. In addition to the birds, this is also a good spot for wildflowers.
On our way back to town, we visit the Broch of Gurness. This is one of the finest examples of these
curious Iron-age defensive structures in Scotland. In addition to the Iron-Age remains, Gurness also
contains the remains of a second village believed to be Pictish. Situated on an exposed headland looking
over towards the Isle of Rousay, this is a good opportunity to view some of Orkney’s birds such as great
and Arctic skuas, divers, mergansers, sea-ducks, terns and gulls.
Day 12 – Wednesday 5 June
Orkney – Rousay (B,L,D, overnight on Orkney)
This morning we will start our day with a short ferry ride from Tingwall across Eynhallow Sound to the
Isle of Rousay. Rousay is approximately 5 miles wide by 5 miles long but for such a small area contains
the most astonishing array of ancient monuments. We will spend our day walking around the island
stopping here and there to visit some of the most remarkable of these buildings.
Our first stop will be at the Neolithic cairn of Taversoe Tuick before heading westward to the Yarso cairn,
another Neolithic burial chamber, this time a stalled type. From here we will climb Ward Hill to give us
fine views over the North Isles of Westray, Sanday, Eday, Egilsay and Wyre.
In the afternoon we will do the Westness Walk (3 miles). This walk encompasses thousands of years of
Rousay history amongst some of Europe’s finest ancient monuments. Our journey begins at one of
Orkney’s most famous monuments; the Midhowe Cairn. This stalled tomb is the largest Neolithic burial
chamber so far discovered in Britain, and at 100ft long, justly deserves its alternative name ‘the great
ship of death’. Also here, along what has been called ‘the most important archaeological mile in
Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
Scotland’, is Midhowe broch, probably the best preserved broch in Scotland south of Shetland. Other
sites along the way include a Viking hall and cemetery, a late medieval hall and ruined 18th century
farmsteads with a fantastic example of a corn drying kiln.
Our wanderings on Rousay will give us plenty of time to enjoy the wildlife too and we’ll be looking out
for speciality species like hen harrier, short-eared owl, terns, skuas and the elusive Orkney vole.
Day 13 – Thursday 6 June
Orkney to Aigas (B,L,D, overnight at Aigas)
This morning we will embark on a tour of some of the most important war-time sites on the Orkney
Islands. The Churchill Barriers which seal off three sides of Scapa Flow represent a huge engineering feat
by prisoners of war held here on Orkney during World War II. The barriers were designed to protect the
home fleet from German U-boats whilst stationed within the calmer waters of Scapa Flow. Roads built
onto the barriers allow us to commute between the Southern Islands and the East Mainland, and
crossing the first barrier we reach the Island of Lamb’s Holm where we will visit the Italian Chapel. A visit
to the Italian Chapel also known as ‘the Miracle of Camp 60’ is a moving experience for many people.
Our return ferry departs from St Margaret’s Hope and the voyage back to Gills Bay on the north coast
provides ample opportunities for further bird watching and possible cetacean sightings! A leisurely drive
back down the east coast will allow us plenty of time to visit the charming towns of Tain and Dornoch.
Day 14 – Friday 7 June
Glen Strathfarrar and Beauly (B,L,D, overnight at Aigas)
A relaxing day today will allow guests time to catch their breath after an action-packed tour of the
Highlands. Today we will take further advantage of the fantastic location of the Field Centre and visit
one of the Highlands best kept secrets – the local and private Glen Strathfarrar. This area must surely
rank as one of Scotland’s most scenic glens and is one of our last wild places, home to the majestic red
deer and fabulous golden eagle.
Aigas – Sharing the Wonders of the Wild Highlands and Islands
We will spend time exploring the lochs, rivers, mountains and woodlands, enjoying the wonderful array
of bird species and the abundant wildflowers. There will be the option of a walk to stretch those travelweary legs!
There will be time for a visit to our nearest town of Beauly where guests can take advantage of an
excellent Scottish shop and of course, Campbell’s Tweedhouse (by Royal appointment!). We will also
take a tour of the 13th century priory and there will be a distillery visit for those who wish it. We will be
back in plenty of time for afternoon tea and a quick change ready for the piper who will pipe us in for
the farewell dinner.
Day 15 – Saturday 8 June
Depart Aigas (B,L)
We depart Aigas after breakfast and travel by coach to Glasgow, from where our flights depart.