Robert Kidd, from our Scotland rail vacations partner McKinlay Kidd, identified early on the potential for stepping off the train and onto a boat to the Hebrides, one of Europe’s most exceptional destinations for wildlife cruising. “You can’t underestimate the value of going out for a while with a specialist guide here. Someone who knows what they’re looking for and how to go about finding it is invaluable. I remember once going out with a birdlife guide on Mull looking for golden eagles and white-tailed eagles and learning not only what they look like, but things like the optimal wind conditions for flight. Whether it’s wildlife or history, having someone who can give story and context is so useful.”
When you take a
wildlife vacation in Scotland, whether on land, sea or loch, you’ll be provided with a comprehensive list of species you’re likely to encounter based on successful sightings in the past. Some 24 species of cetaceans (whales, porpoises and dolphins) have been identified in Scottish waters, among them minke whales, Risso’s dolphins and even orcas. That’s on top of basking sharks, otters, seals and a flurry of marine birdlife, from eagles, puffins and oyster catchers to owls, cormorants and eider ducks.