Birdwatching & wildlife photography trips in the Scottish Highlands
What we provide:
Based in Moray, superbly placed for wildlife in the Scottish Highlands and Northeast Scotland, A9Birds provides full- and half-day trips for birdwatchers and photographers of all abilities. We tailor our trips to suit you - including tuition for beginners to birdwatching or photography - and will seek out iconic species such as Golden Eagle, Sea Eagle, Crested Tit, the various grouse species, Ospreys (in Spring/Summer) and mammals such as Red Squirrels. We offer relaxed and enjoyable experiences, using our skills and knowledge to keep disturbance to wildlife and habitats to an absolute minimum especially during the breeding season. In summary, we can offer you:
- Birdwatching - all skill levels are welcome, with target species trips or general birding available. And, if you like photography too...
- Bird and wildlife photography - whether you're a novice, keen amateur or more, A9Birds can help you capture great images through the use of field skills, dedicated hides and - over a cuppa - photo editing advice to get the most out of your experience.
- Trips for individuals or small groups (up to three people) available, using our comfortable 4x4 vehicle to explore the beautiful Highland countryside
- Care is taken to condense - where possible - journey times between stop off points to maximise your time in the field, an important aspect of Highland birding! We also offer a pick-up service from your holiday accommodation - please ask for details
- Please note A9Birds is covered by its own public liability insurance; individuals can exercise their discretion if they require additional personal insurance
Prices
As trips are tailored, exact pricing can be determined when you contact us to discuss your needs and will include factors such as long distance elements, picking-up locations and so on. Quotes are without obligation.
As a general guide, half day birdwatching trips are around £50 per person (start times to be agreed, but expect 4 to 5 hours in duration), and full day trips around £100 per person (expecting 8 to 9 hours to make the 'day'). Should you wish to see species most active in the morning and/or evening, full day tours can be physically split in two to achieve this - it's all down to you! We will of course suggest options based on time of the year, your budget and interests. In Spring/Summer, we also offer short evening trips to look for owls and other birds that make the most of our fabulous long evenings - perfect for a post-evening meal trip!
For photo sessions, trips involve 'open country' as well as access to private hides (e.g. for fishing Ospreys at close quarters) so vary in cost; prices are available on request but in most cases closely match those for birdwatching given above. Should you also wish to receive some tuition in photo editing skills (normally performed on a laptop over a cuppa at the end of your session), a small charge will be added as agreed with yourself in advance. What we strive for in providing this tuition is quality, therefore you can expect one-to-one training (unless you bring a partner, family member or friend) to help you capture great photos.
All prices include our guiding service, transport costs, tea/coffee/water, a light snack for half day trips while full day trips include lunch also; please state preferences and any special dietary needs at the time of booking.
Contact Us
Trips are available now, so contact Mike and Karen to discuss your needs
- 01309 611736 or 07738 955255
- info@a9birds.com
Some of our images
You can also buy our images...
Photo and canvas prints of a number of our photos are available for sale. Please contact us for details or visit:
Hellygog Gallery, Unit 4, Logie Steading, Dunphail, Moray, IV36 2QN
Staying local?
A9Birds is pleased to be affiliated with the following guest accommodation in the local area - please mention A9Birds when you book. Listed alphabetically by location, click on the links to be taken to their respective websites:
Carrbridge
An Sealgair bed & breakfast http://www.an-sealgair.co.uk
Craigellachie guest house http://www.craigellachieguesthouse.co.uk
Dalrachney Lodge hotel http://www.dalrachney.co.uk
Dava (between Forres and Grantown-on-Spey)
Dava School House bed & breakfast
http://www.davaschoolhouse.co.uk
Duffus
Duffus Estate holiday cottages http://www.duffusestate.com
Dulnain Bridge
Muckrach Country House Hotel http://www.muckrach.com
Netherfield bed & breakfast http://www.highlands-escape.co.uk
Forres
Mayfield guest house http://www.mayfieldforres.co.uk
Riever House guest house http://www.reiverhouse.com
Grantown-on-Spey
RossMor guest house http://www.rossmor.co.uk
Strathallan guest house http://www.stayatstrathallan.com
The Dulaig luxury bed & breakfast http://www.thedulaig.com
Kinloss
Church View guest house http://www.forres-bedandbreakfast.com
Nairn
North End guest house http://www.northendnairn.co.uk
Tali Ayer guest house http://www.tali-ayer.com
Why not visit us on Facebook too?
For regular news, trip reports and offers, click on the Facebook button below (you don't have to be a Facebook user).
...and why not consider....
...if you're travelling through Scotland to join us in the Highland and Grampian regions, and you're an avid photographer, Alan McFadyen operates an excellent set-up in Dumfries & Galloway; visit his website: http://www.scottishphotographyhides.co.uk
...while Bob Smith runs this fine outfit, specialising in Beavers and Pine Marten as well other mammals including those at Munro level, ideal also for seeing the birds that are found in the montane habitat. The inclusion of a dram when topping your first Munro is fine idea -slainte mhath! See Bob's 'Nature Nuts' Facebook page for more details: http://www.facebook.com/bobsnaturenuts
Visiting the Isle of Skye?
We can recommend the following as part of your visit to this wildlife-rich island:
Wild Skye Boat Trips - superb trips to see Sea Eagles, seabirds, marine mammals and more, led by Steve Hopper http://www.wildskye.co.uk
Taigh Ailean Hotel, Portnalong - a great place to stay, or just eat with a menu that includes locally caught seafood and possibly the best sticky toffee pudding in the world (and believe me, we've tried a few!) http://www.taighailean.scot
...and if you're heading to/from Skye along the A887 road, why not stop for something to eat and drink at the great little Redburn Cafe in Glenmoristion (put IV63 7YJ into your satnav). If the weather is good keep an eye out for eagles (both Golden and White-tailed) and Ospreys in summer....oh, and the birdfeeders are busy too!
Overseas friends of A9Birds
Heading abroad for your birding? We can recommend the following:
Catalan Bird Tours, managed by Stephen Christopher, provides superb guiding in this wildlife-rich corner of northeastern Spain. See the website for more details: http://www.catalanbirdtours.com
The small print!
A9Birds has public liability insurance with the Finsbury Insurance Group; individuals and groups using our services are recommended to consider their own insurance needs as part of their trip.
All of A9Birds' guiding will be within 30 minutes of a recognised road/path/track in order to stay within the provisions of non-licensing as determined by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority.
A9Birds is mindful of the provisions of the Data Protection Act and will not electronically store or share, in any form, any personal information our clients give us as part of their booking.