Grab your camera and go out dolphin-spotting on the stunning Moray Firth
ARGYLL
Wild Eurasian beavers were reintroduced to Scotland by the
SCOTTISH BEAVER TRIAL in Knapdale Forest in the heart of Argyll in 2009. Since then, these fascinating animals have thrived.
if you are quiet and lucky you might see these timid beasties on lochs Barnluasgan, Coille-Bharr and dubh. Sightings are more common at dusk and at night, when they are more active.
Even if you don’t see them, though, there is plenty of evidence of their work, from wonderfully engineered dams to gnawed trees.
The enchanting isle of Mull, off the Argyll coast, is a wildlife-watching hotspot where you can see white-tailed sea eagles, basking sharks, minke whales, porpoises, dolphins and an abundance of seabirds. SEALIFE SURVEYS based in the island’s ‘capital’ Tobermory run regular cruises in Tobermory Bay and out into the waters around Mull, Ardnamurchan and the island of Coll to seek out these amazing animals.
What’s the UK’s largest and most impressive bird of prey? You’ll find out if you visit MULL
EAGLE WATCH. it’s got a 7ft wingspan, a bright white tail and head and a bright yellow beak and talons, and it loves to catch and eat fish, though the sea eagle will eat just about anything it can find!
The Eagle Watch hide is mobile and this year you can find it on the outskirts of Craignure, the island’s main ferry port.
Popularised by the composer Mendelssohn, in his Hebridean Overture, FINGAL’S CAVE on the remarkable island of STAFFA is a sight to behold. This island, with its imposing basalt columns, according to folklore, is said to be the Scottish end of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern ireland, built by irish giant Fingal to allow him to walk to Scotland to fight the Scottish giant Benandonner.
Sightings of comical puffins and other seabirds are common and STAFFA TRIPS, STAFFA TOURS AND TURUS MARA run regular boat trips out to the island, which includes around one hour ashore.
PERTHSHIRE
LOCH OF LOWES
RESERVE, just outside dunkeld, in Highland Perthshire, is well worth a visit to see some of Scotland’s iconic wildlife. it’s well known for nesting and breeding ospreys, which return year after year, but it’s also a great place to see red squirrels, beavers, wildfowl and deer.
There is parking on site, or walk two miles to the centre along the Fungarth Path from pretty dunkeld itself. There is live video footage of the ospreys and other nesting birds, a kids’ activity hide, viewing hides overlooking the loch and a wildlife shop.
Blair Atholl is well known for the iconic BLAIR CASTLE, framed against the backdrop of the Beinn a’ Ghlo mountains, but there is also lots of amazing wildlife to see in the wider castle estates if you’re quiet, patient and lucky.
See mountain hares darting around the moorland, red deer on the high hills and roe deer and red squirrels in the woodlands. it’s also possible to join one of the estate-run LAND ROVER SAFARIS, which will take you deeper into some amazing countryside. long-established HIGHLAND SAFARIS based at dull, near Aberfeldy, is one of the best places to learn about Scotland’s largest native land mammals – the majestic red deer.
Stroke, feed and photograph these captivating beasts in the RED DEER BARN and in the RED DEER PARK or see them in their natural habitat high up in the hills, by joining a fantastic
LAND ROVER SAFARI. The centre also offers gold-panning experiences and you can learn more about the history and nature of beautiful loch Tay on a LOCH TAY
SAFARIS cruise. Over in west Perthshire AUCHINGARRICH WILDLIFE PARK in Comrie is a brilliant place for a family day out. Alongside a host of cute, cuddly and familiar farm animals, you’ll also find lots of exotic wildlife – there are 50 different species here. Visit the hatchery and handle chicks, bunnies and guinea pigs, see the lambs, meerkats and otters getting fed, pedal ride-on tractors around the farmyard circuit, enjoy a pony ride, play mini-golf or go wild in the indoor play barn.
ANGUS
ON the Angus coast, MONTROSE
BASIN WILDLIFE RESERVE is an outstanding place to see birdlife. From fledglings weaving through reeds or taking to the skies in spring to thousands of geese and swans visiting in autumn, it’s a vast and internationally important estuary.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust centre at Montrose Basin contains binoculars and telescopes, has puzzles and microscopes set up for the kids and also runs regular guided walks and child-friendly events to keep everyone entertained.
DUNDEE
CAMPERDOWN COUNTRY PARK on the outskirts of dundee has long been a family favourite for a day out and a visit here wouldn’t be complete without spending some time at CAMPERDOWN WILDLIFE
PARK. it’s a compact wildlife experience, but there are a lot of animals to see including lemurs, marmosets, brown bears, European otter, birds of prey and more. in addition, there are some great experiences and events on offer – be a junior zookeeper, enjoy a get up close session or join Zoofest.
FIFE
THE SCOTTISH DEER CENTRE just outside Cupar is an award-winning family attraction and a fabulous place to see some fascinating wildlife. You’ll find 13 species of deer here, including European elk. Feed them in their pens or see them up close on a tractor and trailer ride into the fields.
Alongside the deer, you’ll also see Fife’s only pack of wolves and there are also Northern lynx, Asian otters and brown bears in the park.
A real highlight of your day will be the bird of prey displays, where the birds fly just above your head.
in addition, there’s an indoor playground, a fantastic outdoor adventure playground, a karting track and woodland walks.
Take a lovely boat trip on the May Princess from Anstruther out to the ISLE OF MAY sitting in the Firth of Forth, off the Fife coast. This wonderful and uninhabited island is a National Nature Reserve and a haven for wildlife. See seals basking on the rocks around the coast and a host of seabirds nesting on the cliffs.
The island is possibly most famous for its puffin colony – everyone loves these colourful, comical seabirds. You can learn about the wildlife and the island’s rich history and associations with the Vikings at the reserve’s visitor centre, which overlooks the harbour, and on information boards around the island.
See mysterious creatures of the deep and more at ST ANDREWS
AQUARIUM. Watching fish swimming is hypnotic and here you’re spoilt for choice with hundreds of them to see including sharks, rays, piranhas, lionfish and many more besides.
There’s more than fish here, though. Watch seals being fed or join a seal-feeding experience. The penguins are always a firm favourite, as are the playful meerkats. There are reptiles to see and handle and a selection of spiders and scorpions to see, if you’re brave enough!
CLACKMANNANSHIRE
iF you’re looking for a family wildlife experience with a difference then spend some time at BLACK
DEVON WETLANDS near Alloa. The wet grassland and wetland habitats are ideal for warblers, reed buntings, ducks, swans and grebes and various insects including butterflies, bees and dragonflies.
New ponds are home to frogs, newts and small fish and this combination of water to guddle about in and small creatures is the perfect distraction for any inquisitive toddler.
STIRLING & TROSSACHS
THE red kite is a beautiful bird of prey and unmistakable with its forked tail and reddish body. They are renowned for their agility in the air and their ‘sky-dancing’ and are a common sight in many parts of Scotland.
One of the best places to see them is at ARGATY RED KITES, a small feeding station, hide and visitor centre with toilets at Braes of doune in Stirlingshire.
GREATER GLASGOW & THE CLYDE VALLEY
ENjOY a five-star family day out in North lanarkshire at WORLD OF WINGS in Cumbernauld, where you’ll find Scotland’s most
extensive collection of birds of prey. This unique attraction runs two flying displays a day and also offers handling session days and private falconry lessons.
Continuing the raptors theme, LOCH LOMOND BIRD OF PREY CENTRE, located adjacent to the Loch Lomond Shores complex in Balloch, offers amazing experiences with 30 birds of prey and owls. The SCOTTISH WILDLIFE TRUST
FALLS OF CLYDE RESERVE is a fantastic place to see dippers, ravens and kingfishers as they forage for food along the river. If you’re quiet you may hear and see a badger snuffling through the undergrowth, and otters are occasionally spotted along the riverbank too.
The unstaffed visitor centre here is open every day and there are interactive exhibits to entertain the kids. When you’re here, you should also make some time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of NEW LANARK.
EDINBURGH & THE LOTHIANS
EDINBURGH BUTTERFLY & INSECT
WORLD at Lasswade on the outskirts of the city is the world’s longest running indoor butterfly house and offers a fascinating day out for all the family.
There are all sorts of wonderful bugs, beasties and creepycrawlies to see here and you can even handle some. Onsite there is a play park, licensed restaurant, picnic area and plenty of free parking.
SCOTTISH BORDERS
WITH our temperate climate and an abundance of fish in our lochs and rivers, Scotland has been a popular summer breeding and nesting spot for ospreys for many years. They’ve been coming to the Scottish Borders for a long time and you can find out more about them, learn about their epic annual migration from North Africa to Scotland and see live webcam pictures of their young in the nest at the TWEED VALLEY OSPREY PROJECT at Glentress Peel, near Peebles. Salmon are an amazing
species, doggedly undertaking an incredible journey from the North Atlantic to their spawning grounds in the upper reaches of many Scottish rivers. At PHILIPHAUGH SALMON VIEWING
CENTRE near Selkirk you can watch live footage of these wonderful fish battling their way up river. There’s a fully restored working walled garden to appreciate and woodland walks to enjoy, where you might spot otters, red squirrels, roe deer heron and more. There are interactive displays, video games and crawling spaces for the kids and an informative audio tour.
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
SEE Scotland’s largest land mammals at GALLOWAY RED
DEER RANGE at Newton Stewart. Run by Forestry Commission Scotland, around 60 deer live here and you can see them (and other local wildlife) from a viewing area and a hide. There are also regular ranger-led Meet the Deer events taking place throughout the summer.
Relax at ESKRIGG RESERVE near Lockerbie and enjoy a lovely stroll through tranquil surroundings where you might see red squirrels, tawny owls, kingfishers and an amazing array of fungi and plants. There is a small centre here, two hides and toilet facilities and it’s a great place to see wildlife and to unwind.