CHOICE LOCATIONS

1 The Cuillin, Isle of Skye is a range of hills best tackled with a guide on a clear day. For those fit and experienced enough to reach the top ridge, the wildlife will make the climb worthwhile.

2 Beinn Eighe, Highlands near Kinlochewe, close to Scotland’s west coast, was Britain’s first national nature reserve. Trails to the higher elevations offer a great chance of ‘goldies’ and ptarmigan.

3 Findhorn Valley, Highlands around 25 miles from Inverness. This ‘valley of raptors’ has possibly the best views of golden eagles in Britain. At higher elevations it also has a healthy population of mountain hares.

4 Cairn Gorm, Highlands is the premiere spot for watching montane wildlife in the UK. On a clear day, you can watch ptarmigan from the roof terrace of the Ptarmigan Restaurant, while snow buntings fly in for cake crumbs.

5 Glenshee, Perthshire is just south of Braemar in the south-east of the Cairngorms National Park. It is your best opportunity of scoping ptarmigan, snow buntings and mountain hares with the minimum of effort.