It always amazes me how many people jet off abroad in search of wildlife. Why would you when Scotland is a world-class wildlife destination in its own right, alive with life-affirming wildlife experiences?
We’re talking about everything from seeing the UK’s largest land mammal presiding over the glens, through to being amazed at the sheer size of a vaulting sea eagle, and on to being close enough to whales to hear these graceful leviathans breathe.
Closer to nature
Handily some of Scotland’s best wildlife experiences lie within easy reach of a slew of Scottish Hostels community of escapes. We kick off with the vast wildlife reserve just north of Glasgow, the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
On the shores of the eponymous loch sits Loch Voil Hostel, a hideaway with its own jetty and boat. It’s a great base for exploring the park, as is By the Way Hostel up to the north at Tyndrum on the West Highland Way – itself a wildlife-rich long distance walk.
Otters
On the park’s myriad lochs and lochans look out for otters working their way along the shores. On land those seriously cute, bushy-tailed red squirrels are the stars. If you’re from a city and have never seen them before you’ll spot the differences straight away. Then there is the UK’s largest land mammal, the mighty red deer. The murderous sound of their rutting in autumn is bloodcurdling. They are a majestic sight year round.
Birds of prey
In the air look out for birds of prey: golden eagles soaring in the thermals and ospreys hunting for fish. They are serious about wildlife conservation in the national park too. If you want to learn more check out Wild Park 2020, the action plan for achieving the long term vision to ensure and enhance biodiversity.
Cairngorms National Park
Much further north it’s deeper into the Highlands and the welcoming arms of the Cairngorms National Park, the UK’s largest. You’re spoilt with a quartet of hostels to choose from. There is Fraoch Lodge at Boat of Garten, where you can chill by a woodburnerd after a long day out spotting. I’m a big fan too of the legendary Lazy Duck Hostel, so named as the Aylesbury Ducks here enjoy life so much in the Cairngorms they cannot be bothered sitting on their eggs, so they have had to bring in ‘nanny’ ducks. Glenbeg Bunkhouse and Bothy is a lovely escape on the eponymous estate by Grantown-on-Spey. Then there is to the south the purpose-built Newtonmore Hostel.
Nocturnal creatures
An unmissable wildlife expedience in the Cairngorms is an evening in the wildlife hide in the Rothiemurchus Estate. You can bunker down to catch sight of all manner of nocturnal creatures, from wee squirrels, through to badgers, owls and even the elusive pine marten. It’s up there with any wildlife experience in Scotland, discover more here with Speyside Wildlife >
Heron and ospreys
There is real diversity to the wildlife in The Cairngorms. Otters fish in the speedy River Spey alongside herons, while in Loch Inch it is ospreys that are the star attraction. You’ll also find the latter in the famous RSPB reserve at Loch Garten, which has played such a pivotal role in their reintroduction and survival in Scotland.
Isle of Mull
Scotland’s remarkable wildlife is, of course, not just limited to the mainland. Head out on a ferry and a wilderness wonderland awaits. As a wildlife all-rounder the Isle of Mull is hard to beat.
Mull has a trio of great hostels too for you to base your explorations at. Craignure Bunkhouse sits handily just next to the pier where the Oban ferries come in – the first time I cruised in here on CalMac I saw an otter playing on the beach – quite an introduction to Mull! In the northwest is Dervaig Hostel, which prides itself on opportunities for seeing wildlife. Right down south on the wild and wildly beautiful eponymous peninsula are the Ross of Mull Bunkrooms. I love the Ross of Mull – one highlight was when I was walking the rugged Stevenson Way wilderness walk along the remote shoreline I was ‘overtaken’ by a pod of galloping bottlenose dolphins.
Mile for glorious green mile Mull may just be the finest island in Scotland for wildlife. In the air we’re talking not just golden eagles, but those flying barn doors - sea eagles - too. You really cannot mistake this huge creature as it arcs across the sky. The hills and glens are alive with more red deer than people as I found when I hiked up Dun da Ghaoithe, Mull’s only Corbett. I must have seen over one hundred deer, but not a single person.
On the fringes of the water otters hunt, while seals frolic just offshore. Further out it’s into the world of porpoises and dolphins. Whales too, all manner of them, from minke to killer whales. In autumn it’s basking shark season. The best way of taking in the marine wonders is on one of the regular boat trips out of Tobermory.
If you want to really focus in on marine wildlife it’s worth catching the ferry out to the Isle of Coll. I love the that fact that no one seems quite sure how many sandy beaches there are here – I’ve counted 23 – and that the waters are so rich with wildlife. I’ve swum with seals off Coll – not going to them of course. They came up to my daughter and I while we were swimming and splashed around us, taking a keen interest in us and our snorkelling gear. Seals in the water are a far cry from land, where they can feel threatened and can become aggressive.
Coll
In autumn the focus on Coll is the basking sharks around the northern tip of the island, which is also a popular playground for all manner of whales and dolphins. Coll Bunkhouse is the place to stay with space to dry wet suits and walking boots. It is just one of this flurry of great hostels, hostels where you can base yourself for explorations of not only Scotland’s great outdoors, but also its world-class wildlife experiences. What are you waiting for?
