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Favourite wildlife in Scotland?

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Comments

  • ElaineRElaineR VisitScotland Contributor ✭✭✭
    @VisitScotlandNikkiR I gather they have a rather sweet tooth and that their droppings smell like Parma Violets which is probably how they got the name Sweet Marten! I was interested to read recently that pine martens have been spotted as far south in Scotland as the Scottish Borders so I must keep an eye out for some on my travels

    http://www.pine-marten-recovery-project.org.uk/about-us/scotland
  • ElaineRElaineR VisitScotland Contributor ✭✭✭
    @VisitScotlandNikkiR I just noticed that this report on the Pine Marten Recovery Project website actually references the pine marten research work of my uni lecturer and ecotourism mentor, Dr Kathy Velander - go Kathy!!

    http://www.pine-marten-recovery-project.org.uk/downloads/croose-e-et-al-2014-distribution-of-the-pine-marten-in-southern-scotland-in-2013
  • IknowluxuryIknowluxury Member ✭✭
    edited July 2016
    puffins
  • sinead_flemingsinead_fleming Member ✭✭
    There is some absolutely stunning wildlife in Scotland, I have been fortunate enough to see herds of red deer, pine marten, osprey, red squirrels, badger... all in the wild. but my favourite ever was a completely unexpected sighting of some wild roe deer on a walk along the Loanhead railway path to Roslin one day - just 30 minutes from Edinburgh city centre! What a treat to see that on a Sunday afternoon stroll in Scotland's capital city! 

    My other favourite time was on a stay in a wee cottage on the Isle of Mull, and I went outside in the morning to admire the sunrise and was confronted with a majestic Red Deer Stag munching happily on the grass in the front garden of the cottage :) The look he gave me as he munched away was priceless. "Yes...?"

    On my Scottish wildlife bucket list are Scottish Wild Cat, Golden Eagle and Puffins.
  • LeodhasachLeodhasach Member ✭✭
    @sinead_fleming a good place for Golden Eagle is Coignafearn near Tomatin. You can never guarantee anything when it comes to wildlife but Coignafearn seems to be as near a dead cert as you'll get anywhere. There's usually at least two that can be seen there, along with Mountain Hare (their dinner) and Ravens. There's been the occasional juve Sea Eagle sighting up that way too. It's not a sensitive breeding area and reasonably common knowledge so it's safe enough to pass this info on! 

    To get to Coignafearn you need to drive through Tomatin and then follow the road by river till you get to a large-ish parking area. It's a worthwhile drive in of itself through some fantastic scenery. 
    For music reviews and previews in Inverness and the Highlands: http://invernessgigs.co.uk/
    Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@leodhasach
  • Neil1988Neil1988 Member ✭✭
    If you are able to get to Shetland, you must get the 6-seater plan to Fair Isle and stay at the Observatory - http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk. Very friendly and well priced accommodation. Literally thousands of puffins. If you don't have time to go to Shetland, go to the Bullers of Buchan, 25 miles north of Aberdeen where you will see outstanding scenery and an abundance of birds. 
  • VisitScotlandNikkiRVisitScotlandNikkiR Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩
    @sinead_fleming over here in the Ardnamurchan Peninsular we are lucky to have pure Wild Cats. I myself have not seen one up close but my mother who the district midwife/nurse saw one cross the road late on night. I would also love to see one in the wild. 
  • VisitScotlandNikkiRVisitScotlandNikkiR Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩
    @ElaineR thanks for the links will have a read of the report.
  • LeodhasachLeodhasach Member ✭✭
    @Neil1988 Fair Isle has been on my 'to do' list for a while now. The idea of flying there on a Britten Norman Islander and then spending a few days birding will likely keep my inner geek happy for a long time afterwards. :)
    For music reviews and previews in Inverness and the Highlands: http://invernessgigs.co.uk/
    Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@leodhasach
  • Speyside_WildlifeSpeyside_Wildlife Member ✭✭
    Cheeky wee Pine Marten never fail to amuse!
  • sinead_flemingsinead_fleming Member ✭✭
    Thanks @Leodhasach and @VisitScotlandNikkiR, planning my September holiday in Scotland at the min so I will def keep those locations in mind. Fingers crossed! I'll post updates if I am lucky enough to spot any eagles or wildcats :)

  • VisitScotlandNikkiRVisitScotlandNikkiR Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩
    @sinead_fleming if you visit the Ardnamurchan Peninsula pop into the icentre in Strontian and have a look at the wildlife sighting map we have in the office. 
  • SnowmanSnowman Member ✭
    A trip to the Moray Firth wouldn't be complete without a trip to watch and photograph the resident bottlenose dolphins. Get the time of year and tide times correct and you are in for a real treat....great viewing from beach or boat !
  • ElaineRElaineR VisitScotland Contributor ✭✭✭
    @Speyside_Wildlife @sinead_fleming interesting news article on pine martens being seen regularly at the Cruachan hydro station visitor centre near Loch Awe

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/family-furry-pine-martens-steal-8563596
  • Weighty_MattersWeighty_Matters Member ✭
    It has to be the red squirrel; such a cutie! We stayed at the Dalshian Guest House in Pitlochry where we watched the red squirrels playing in the garden while we ate cooked breakfast (including black pudding) and porridge with whisky. I don't think I have ever been so happy!  
  • VisitScotlandNikkiVisitScotlandNikki Administrator, VisitScotland Staff ✪
    If you're out near the Scottish Seabird Centre this summer, look out for the pufflings - some of these poor animals have been getting disorientated by the bright lights of North Berwick, so the seabird centre has a handy video on what to do if you spot a lost puffling.

    We've been enjoying finding out about puffins, capercaillies and otters for an addition to our Scottish Wildlife Series eBook. Love that puffins are known as 'clowns of the sea' and capercaillies are the 'horse of the woods'!
  • VisitScotlandSarahWVisitScotlandSarahW Member, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩
    If you are keen to see the majestic Red Kite then head to Dumfries and Galloway! You are just as likely to see a Red Kite as a buzzard if you are out walking in the countryside. Farmland near Castle Douglas and Springholm are great hot-spots for sightings.

    For a real treat head to Bellymack Hill farm just outside Laurieston (near Castle Douglas). The owners have a Red Kite feeding station in one of their fields. Up to 80 or more Kites can be seen at one time sweeping down into the field, it is truly spectacular! They also have a little hide which is great if you want to take a few pics! https://community.visitscotland.com/discussion/182/www.gallowaykitetrail.com/item-38-bellymack-hill-farm-kite-feeding-station
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