Leaders

Kate Mennie and Sally Nowell

Day 1	Meet in Glasgow and make our way to our base for one night in Lochawe - 1 night at Ben Cruachan Inn.
Days 2-6	Birdwatching and wildlife exploration of Mull, including a trip to Iona and a boat trip to the Treshnish Isles via Staffa, for Fingal’s Cave and then time to explore the island of Lunga - 5 nights at Isle of Mull Hotel.
Day 7	Catch the ferry to Lochaline and make our way to our last hotel - 1 night at Loch Lomond Arms Hotel
Day 8	After breakfast we make our way back to Glasgow.

Walking	Coastal walks on uneven terrain of 1-4 miles. Walking boots recommended. Collapsible/telescopic walking poles could be useful for this trip
Weather	The weather can be mixed, so expect sun and showers, with temperatures in the range of 7-18ºC. It can be cooler on our boat trip, but you may wish to bring sunscreen
Insects	Biting midges will be encountered
Meals	All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8
Accom	Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite.
Group	12

The beautiful island of Mull, perhaps the best place in Britain for White-tailed and Golden Eagle and Otter and a boat trip for “up close and personal” views of Puffins and seabirds.

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	*   Amazing opportunities for White-tailed and Golden Eagle in spectacular habitat
	*   Otter spotting around the coast wherever we go
	*   Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier and divers
	*   A trip to Iona with a chance to hear and maybe see the elusive Corncrake
	*   Treshnish Isles boat trip for close-up Puffins, auks and loads more
	*   Shoreline hotel with views across the Sound of Mull
	*   Travel up and back through Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe

Day 1-2	We shall meet up in Glasgow and travel to our overnight base near Oban, passing the ‘bonnie’ banks of Loch Lomond and through the ‘rest and be thankful’ road pass. In the morning we shall catch a morning ferry to the Island of Mull. We may see Black Guillemots in Oban harbour and as we journey across the Firth of Lorne, Common and Arctic Terns, Gannet and maybe even a Common Dolphin or Harbour Porpoise could be seen. Marvelling at the spectacular landscape we’ll look out for our first eagles, before reaching our hotel, overlooking the Sound of Mull, in the evening.
Days 3-6	Here, Gannets fly by, whilst just offshore Red-throated and Great Northern Diver linger and we’ll watch for majestic White-tailed and Golden Eagles, now busy feeding young. The White-tailed Eagle is the UK’s largest landbased predator and the fourth largest eagle on Earth. They have recolonised Mull since the early 1980’s and the breeding population is now more than 15 pairs, so we can encounter these enormous birds just about anywhere. Mull’s Golden Eagle population is one of the densest anywhere in Europe and after year’s of experience watching them, we know the best places on the island to look for them. It is not unusual to see both species soaring together over the mountains and sea lochs of “Eagle Island”. Although the island is rightly famous for its eagles, we shall be looking for other upland raptors as well. Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owl frequent the moors, hillsides and estuaries, as they too have young to feed. Peregrine patrol the sea cliffs around Gribun, while family parties of Raven fill the air with their cronking calls. There are moments on this fabulous island when the sky can seem to be filled with raptors, especially eagles, so along with owls, we may come close to a double digit tally of species by the end of the trip! Around the coast, Common Seals haul out on the offshore rocky islets and skerries, whilst the larger Grey Seals swim menacingly through the water, however much of our time will also be spent quietly seeking out some of the island’s plentiful Otters. The rich rocky coastline provides a bountiful supply of food for these engaging animals and, with patience, we should be rewarded with great views, whilst Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and noisy ‘kleeping’ Oystercatcher, will keep us company on weedy rocks. On one day we’ll drive down the Ross of Mull, an area of surprising contrast for this small island and take the short ferry crossing to visit the stunning white shell-sand beaches and famous Abbey on Iona, where the ancient kings of Scotland were buried; the grave slabs a reminder of the island’s rich history. Here Corncrakes call from hay meadows full of wildflowers and from iris beds and gardens. With luck and some patience, we may see these remarkable birds alongside a clear azure blue sea, but even if we only hear them, their rasping call is unmistakable. A highlight of the holiday will be our day out on the Treshnish Isles. On the boat trip over to the islands, we’ll be alert for Minke Whales and also watch out for Black Guillemot and the odd Great Skua, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel. Long-tailed Skua is a possibility. We’ll take in the island of Staffa and the astonishingly shaped basalt columns of ‘Fingal’s Cave’, whilst listening to Mendelssohn’s overture, before landing on the rocky shores of Lunga Island with its fantastic, approachable, seabird colony. Rock Dove and Twite are here and we’ll wander amongst hundreds of Puffins, green-eyed Shags, Guillemots and Razorbills on the Harp Rock. Fulmar cackle, Kittiwake cries echo up from narrow chasms and Arctic Skuas patrol offshore, amongst the flocks of wheeling seabirds ... it’s a wonderful place! Unlike some other seabird colonies, we shall be right in amongst the action and not just looking at cliffs from afar.
Day 7-8	On the penultimate day, we’ll catch a morning ferry to Lochaline and travel inland through the majestic strath of Glencoe and over Rannoch Moor, along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond to our hotel for our last night. In the morning we’ll return you to Glasgow where we bid farewell.

Just some of what we hope to see..

White-tailed Sea Eagle	Razorbill	Rock Dove
Golden Eagle	Black Guillemot	Twite
Hen Harrier	Gannet	Shag
Peregrine	Raven	Kittewake
Merlin	Greenshank	Harbour Porpoise
Short-eared Owl	Common Sandpiper	Common Dolphin
Manx Shearwater	Oystercatcher	Minke Whale
Red-throated Diver	Corncrake	Common Seal
Great Northern Diver	Great Skua	Grey Seal
Puffin	Storm Petrel	Otter
Arctic Skua