This week focuses on the flora and fauna of this beautiful Highland region.

The North West coast is particularly well known for several rare species of birds and May is the best time to see them, while they are nesting.

The week will be lead by Julie Murray, who is an active environmentalist and has spent the last 6 years working for the RSBP in Scotland and is particularly concerned with the plight of the black-throated diver on the West coast. She has a passion for wild flowers and knows the area well having walked over it extensively.

Walking is one of the best ways to explore and find those special Highland places. This region is a naturalist's paradise and Spring has so much to offer, the early Highland flowers are out and it is the beginning of the foragers year.

The week will include a trip to the famous Handa island reserve where you will have a chance to see nesting Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Fulmars and maybe even Great Skuas, so watch out for your hats! Birds of prey such as, Sea Eagles and Peregrine Falcons also frequent the area.

We will be walking to local birding hot spots, taking in some breath taking scenery on the way, identifying wild plants and keeping our eyes pealed for wild life and foragable items!

Accommodation:

We will be staying at the Rhiddorich estate lodge, which lies 8 miles down a track, in blissful tranquillity. This is a place of open fires and late night toddies! There is an abundance of wildlife on our door step, and plenty of time to venture out. (Please see accommodation and how to get to us)

If you are an expert or a novice, this week has something to offer everyone; bird watching, gentle walks, wild food foraging, cookery and of course don't forget the eating part!

Prices from £650 per person.

Itinerary:

• Day 1
  • Transfer from Inverness 6pm. First night dinner at the lodge. The following itinerary will vary according to the weather. We will spend the week walking in search of wildlife and plants. Walks will vary from short local walks to longer walks taking 4-6 hours, ranging from easy to moderate, with an option for a longer hill day.
• Day 2
  • We will head south in search of wild flowers and wildlife. Walking and bird watching in the Dundonnell area, where a pair of Sea Eagles are regularly spotted. After a picnic lunch, visit the long sandy stretch of Gruinard beach, foraging for edible sea weed and helping to clear the beach of rubbish. Journeying back to the lodge we will visit the famous Corrieshalloch Gorge. We will return to the lodge for supper and an informal talk on the wildlife of the area.
• Day 3
  • Spend the day learning about edible wild greens. We will walk, keeping our eyes peeled for spring greens for supper. Our route takes us along the shoreline and up through woodland and over the hills back to the lodge. In the evening discover wild food recipes as we turn our harvest into a feast. The day will be lead by Rosie, a keen forager.
• Day 4
  • We will follow the stunning North coast, entering Sutherland’s Geopark which contains some of the oldest rock formations in the world. We continue to Handa island, a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve well known for its large colonies of nesting birds. We take a short boat ride over to the island where will spend the day walking and watching birds such as Razorbills, Guillemots and Puffins. The day will be lead by Julie who has worked for the RSPB in the Highlands for years.
• Day 5
  • We will walk from the lodge to the stunning Smokey waterfalls and then continue, along Loch an Daimh to Knockdamph bothy (walkers’ lodge) where we will have lunch, from there we can return for a relaxing afternoon at the lodge or continue for a longer walk, depending on your energy levels’.
• Day 6
  • Taking the beautiful single track road towards Achiltibuie, we will pass through an impressive mountain landscape. In the morning we will walk up Stac Pollaidh a three hour walk taking us to over 600 metres for stunning views across the landscape. In the afternoon there will be time to visit some of the attractions of the pretty fishing village of Ullapool, before foraging on the sea shore collecting mussels for supper.
• Day 7
  • Walking from the lodge through Glen Douchary, passing through a dramatic landscape full of waterfalls, looking out for wild flowers and Golden Eagles along the way. After a picnic lunch those who wish can continue for a longer hill day with Angela up to Seanna Bhraigh, an impressive mountain over looking our lodge. In the evening will have a last night barbeque, with many of those who have been involved in the week.
• Day 8
  • Depart after breakfast for Inverness.