Scotland is increasingly marketing itself as Europe's leading wildlife destination, and with an incredibly diverse range of habitats hosting dozens of top quality projects and experiences, it's an idea that's becoming plausible. Home to vast expanses of protected ground and two spectacular national parks, rural and marine Scotland are awash with wildlife-watching opportunities, from bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth to golden eagles on the west coast or sailing among seals and puffins in Shetland.
The country supports a programme of re-introducing species that have disappeared from the region. There are countless other projects based around Scottish wildlife but here's a pick of the best.
Dolphin and whale-watching, Scottish Islands
Two decades ago whale-watching was rare in Scotland but with the increase in wildlife tourism paralleled by the decline of the Scottish fishing industry, many fishermen have turned to it as a career alternative. More than 40 operators offer whale and dolphin watching in Scotland. Many of these are around the Shetland Isles, Orkney islands, the Hebrides, the Moray Firth and the Kyle of Lochalsh. Sightings of minke, humpback, fin, killer, pilot and sperm whales are possible, besides puffins, eagles and seabirds, otters in secluded bays and common and grey seals.
Whales and dolphins, Mull
If you can only get to one destination to enjoy Scottish wildlife, make it Mull, just off the west coast in the Inner Hebrides. The variety of wildlife and habitats on this attractive island is mind-blowing. The Mull Wildlife Experience offers a group holiday led by wildlife experts with a full-day whale-watching cruise to see minke whales and basking sharks and a guided safari to spot otters and eagles. If you're staying longer on Mull, Loch Frisa, near Aros Mains, is one of the best places to spot white-tailed sea eagles. Visit www.seescotlanddifferently.co.uk for details.
Red kites, Stirlingshire
Based at a farm in rural Stirlingshire, these spectacular birds can be seen from a purpose-built hide at Argaty. Only a few decades ago they were almost extinct in Britain but in recent months 30 to 40 kites have been seen each day. At feeding time, staff on the farm give a daily talk in the hide about the kites' behaviour and how they are thriving. From the car park, there is a 500-metre walk up a winding path to the hide, which has 360-degree views.
Seabirds and seals, North Berwick
Just 30 minutes outside Edinburgh the Scottish Seabird Centre provides a fun insight into the wildlife flourishing along this attractive coastline.
Let the kids control webcams in the Discovery Centre to zoom in on seabirds and marine wildlife to display live footage of them on a big screen. At this time of year you can see puffins, while in summer the guillemots huddle together on the sea cliffs. The centre also arranges boat trips to the Isle of May National Nature Reserve, located in the Firth of Forth. It's home to one of the largest seal colonies on the east coast of Britain. Although the island is inaccessible from October to March, visitors can also watch seal pups in the Scottish Seabird Centre's virtual wildlife-watching hub.
Birds of prey, Trossachs
They call the Trossachs "the Highlands in Miniature", and this 25-mile driving route from Aberfoyle to Doune shows why, running through spectacular mountain-framed scenery from the lowland peat bogs of the Carse of Stirling to the Duke's Pass, amid breathtaking landscapes that are home to 13 species of birds of prey. Download a map that makes the bird-spotting easy, marked with various points to spot hen harriers, ospreys and golden eagles.
Red squirrels, Perthshire
Launched in February 2009, SSRS — Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels — is a partnership project to halt the decline of red squirrels in the north of Scotland. Perthshire is a great place to see red squirrels. Sites include the stunning Cluny Gardens near Aberfeldy and Atholl Estate. Perthshire is also known as Big Tree Country. See the oldest tree in Europe — the Fortingall Yew (about 5,000 years old); one of the tallest trees in Britain — a Douglas fir near the Hermitage, Dunkeld; and the widest conifer in Britain — a giant redwood, also at Cluny House Gardens.
Elk, Sutherland
The Alladale Wilderness Lodge and Reserve is an ambitious project that aims to restore an area of the Highlands to its former state, before many species of wildlife, flora and fauna were driven to near extinction. The fenced reserve offers luxury accommodation plus 4x4 safaris and ranger-led walks to spot the re-introduced elk, ptarmigan, grouse, kestrel, buzzard, peregrine falcon, sea eagle, golden eagle, water vole, otter, mountain hare, roe and red deer.
Otters, Skye
Sightings of otters are common on Skye, seen swimming in the sea or scavenging along the shoreline. One of the best places to look for them is from the Forestry Commission hide at Kylerhea, just across the water from Glenelg on the mainland — the setting for the otter's moment of fame, Gavin Maxwell's book Ring of Bright Water.
Visit www.forestry.gov.uk for details.
Golden eagles, Cairngorms
On the Glenlivet Estate (part of the Crown Estate), in the Cairngorms National Park, a bespoke nesting platform has been erected to attract nesting golden eagles, which are hoped will shack up there this year. RaptorWatch — a partnership involving RSPB Scotland, Grampian Police, Scottish Natural Heritage and Cairngorms National Park Authority, is monitoring the project. Pine marten, wildcat, deer and badgers are spotted in the woodland, and historical sites to explore include old iron mines dating to the 1700s.
Birds, porpoises and seals, Orkneys
In May 2009, 100 bird species were spotted in a week by the folks at Orcadian Wildlife. This year they hope to beat the record, so twitchers should look out for grebe, longtailed duck, divers, lapwings, curlews and redshank, and the thrift and sea-squill that turn the clifftops pink and blue.
June and July bring seabirds, auk colonies, terns and skuas; porpoises and whales pass by. Early autumn attracts migrant birds and pink-footed geese.
Visit www.orcadianwildlife.co.uk for details.
Reindeer, Cairngorms
Reindeer were introduced to the Cairngorms in 1952 by a Swedish reindeer herder, Mikel Utsi. He began with 29 animals, and now the herd numbers around 150, some of which roam freely on the mountains, while others live at the Reindeer Centre, close to the Glenmore Lodge outdoor activity centre. You can easily see the animals there or join daily walks to see the herd up on the hill.
Visit www.cairngormreindeer.co.uk for details.
Red deer husky safari, Cairngorms
At the foot of the Cairngorm mountain range in Aviemore, the Cairngorm Sleddog Centre has 30 sled dogs — a mix of huskies and pointers — with whom visitors can practise the sport of sled-dog racing by taking a ride in a buggy pulled by the canine team.
You can visit the kennels and museum or book a three-hour safari to spot a herd of wild red deer. Cairngorm Sleddog Centre (www.sled-dogs.co.uk). A three-hour sled-dog safari for two costs £175 (Dh988) per person.
