Suggested Days Out

FINDHORN VALLEY

(Site 13 on the BWWC Map)   Follow the 10 mile single track road from Tomatin to Coignafearn - you can park at the road end and have a walk into the glen itself or down by the River Findhorn.  Known as the ‘Valley of the Raptors,’ this is one of the best sites in the area for Golden Eagle and also good for Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Hen Harrier and Kestrel.  Wander by the River for Wheatear, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Dipper and Grey Wagtail.  Red Deer and Wild Goats are often on the hillsides.  The area around the waterfalls opposite the car park is a hotspot for Ring Ouzel and Mountain Hare.  Summer is good for Osprey, Common Tern and Common Sandpiper sightings. Why not take the scenic Road to Farr (look out for Red Grouse) and combine this with a visit to RSPB Loch Ruthven?

CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN  

(BWWC Map Site 17)   For a fabulous view of the Strathspey area you can’t do much better than the vista from the top of CairnGorm Mountain.  On a clear day you can enjoy the outlook at the top either from the Ptarmigan Station Viewing Platform, or the mountain summit itself.  The Visitor Centre has an informative exhibition and gift shop, as well as the UK’s highest restaurant.  The option to hike to the top is open for keen walkers but the more leisurely option of reaching the top, via the funicular railway, is also available.  For conservation reasons there is no access onto the mountain for those taking the funicular up, but there is still the chance of seeing some of the wildlife that walkers may encounter from the outdoor viewing platform.  Keep a look out for the resident Reindeer herd, Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting and Mountain Hare (as well as Ring Ouzel and Dotterel in the summer months).  There is a small Mountain Garden to explore at the Base Station and you can enjoy some refreshment at the Cas Bar – the hot chocolate here is a great way to warm up on chilly days!    

FINDHORN BAY & CULBIN FOREST  

(BWWC Map Sites 25 & 26)   For year round wildlife watching and general holiday-making it’s hard to beat a day by the Moray Firth coastline.  Approximately 30 minutes drive from the Grant Arms Hotel is the beautiful Findhorn Bay.  You could see Bottlenose Dolphins, Common and Grey Seals, Sea Duck, Waders and a whole array of other birdlife.  Here you can admire the boats down at the marina or take a walk along the sandy beach.  Around the Bay you could see Shelduck, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Greylag Geese and Pink-footed Geese.

A visit to Culbin Forest - across the Bay from Findhorn village - is also an enjoyable trip.  Here you should look out for Red Squirrel, Redpoll, Treecreeper, Crested Tit, Crossbill and the elusive Capercaillie.  There area numerous walking trails to choose from.  You can also walk out to Culbin Sands, where you may see Waders, Seaduck and Pale-bellied Brent Geese.    

THE BLACK ISLE  

(BWWC Map Sites 6, 7, 8 & 11)  Follow the A9 to Inverness, cross the Kessock Bridge and you’ll arrive on the Black Isle: a great place for a day trip, where you’re bound to come across some local Red Kites.  North Kessock is a good spot to look for Dolphins, Seals and Otters.  Nearby, Munlochy Bay has a hide, but a scope is needed to get the best views of birds like Curlew, Redshank, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal and Oystercatcher.  If you travel North along the A832 you’ll reach Fortrose.  Here you’ll find Chanonry Point, the best land-watching spot for Bottlenose Dolphins in Europe.  Keep a look out for Grey Seals, diving Gannets, Gulls, Skuas and Waders too.  Further North is the lovely old fishing village of Cromarty - birthplace of geologist Hugh Miller.  To the West of Cromarty is the RSPB reserve Udale Bay, a real birding hotspot.  With great scenery and lots to see and do, the Black Isle is definitely worth exploring.

MACDUFF & TROUP HEAD  

(BWWC Map Sites 34 & 35)   The drive to Macduff takes about 2 hours heading up the A95 via Keith.  The scenery alone is worth the journey, changing from rolling hills to arable farmland before the sea and rugged coastline finally greet you at the Moray Firth.  Stop at Macduff to visit the Marine Aquarium where there are underwater displays showing the different habitats and sea life to be found beneath the waves of this spectacular coastline.  Leaving Macduff continue on the B9031 for 10 miles heading for Troup Head.After a ½mile walk from the car park you’ll reach the only mainland Gannet colony in Scotland.  Summer sees 150,000 breeding pairs of Gannets live and nest on the precipitous cliff face, rearing their young on impossibly small ledges. You may also see Fulmars, Shags, Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins.

The BWWC Map is available free of charge for anyone who makes a booking with the Grant Arms Hotel (the map is also available in all of the Hotel bedrooms). The BWWC Map can also be purchased for £5.95 with payment by cheque or credit card.  Please email info@bwwc.co.uk or call (01479)872526.

VALENTINE'S BREAK

If you fancy a winter wildlife getaway, why not treat that someone special on our Valentine's Break?  Enjoy some Scottish nature and scenery, with a romantic Valentine's Dinner at the Grant Arms Hotel - see our Special Events page for more details.

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