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Scottish Highlands Safaris & wildlife activities

Our most recommended Scottish Highlands Safaris & wildlife activities

Fort William: Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise

1. Fort William: Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise

Embark on a boat tour of Loch Linnhe. Pass picturesque villages, seal, islands and a Caledonian forest. Hear live commentary from the skipper. Depart from Fort William's town pier and head towards the top of Loch Linnhe. See the charming village of Corpach which has Scotland's most instagrammed shipwreck. Marvel at islands teeming with birdlife. Sail over the entrance to the Caledonian canal. Admire traditional black houses, stunning glens, an ancient Caledonian forest, and salmon and mussel farms. Keep your eyes peeled for eagles, otters, and porpoises. Have the chance to purchase refreshments and from the crew. Get close to Black Rock for the chance to see seals and seal pups. Head back to Fort William.

Loch Lomond: Sea Life Entrance Ticket

2. Loch Lomond: Sea Life Entrance Ticket

Get up close to over 1,500 creatures and find out what it feels like to touch a starfish and other creatures living in the interactive rock pool. Visit the playful family of otters Lily, Pickle and Cub, then journey through the tropical ocean tunnel and come face-to-face with blacktip sharks and other critters of the sea. Explore the Lochs of Scotland and see some of the amazing creatures that can be found in the native waters. Look out for the rare albino dogfish. Experience the deep loch tank which opened in March 2016 and is home to native species of shark and rays that can be found in UK waters. The big-bellied sea horses’ long tail contributes to their claim as one of the world’s largest seahorse species. Reaching up to lengths of 30 centimeters, the amazing big-bellied seahorse has a long, curly, grasping tail. Visit the bay of rays and meet the only cow nose rays in Scotland! Then, visit the blacktip reef sharks in the big ocean tank. Blacktips are among the most popular sharks inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans due to their preference of shallow, inshore waters.

Inverness: John O'Groats and the Far North Tour

3. Inverness: John O'Groats and the Far North Tour

Your tour departs Inverness before traveling north, up to Loch Fleet to the village of Golspie. The village, situated on the north sea coast is nestled next to Ben Bhraggie and is an attractive little seaside resort complete with long sandy beaches. You will be able to spend time here for refreshments, before continuing on to Dunrobin Castle. A stately home in Sutherland, Dunrobin Castle is the family seat of Clan Sutherland. It resembles a French chateau with it’s towering spires, and overlooks the Moray Firth. You will spend time here exploring the beautiful stately home whilst enjoying some refreshments. You will then continue north through the Helmsdale Clearance to the Highland town of Wick for your lunch break. A former Viking settlement, Wick is the principal town in the far north of mainland Scotland. You can spend time exploring the town and taking in the views across Wick Bay whilst you enjoy your lunch. From Wick, you will then travel to John O’Groats; the most northerly point on British mainland. Here you’ll be able to stroll along the cliff path, take iconic photos at the signpost, and enjoy dramatic coastal views, perhaps even seeing some local wildlife! From John O’Groats, you will begin to make your way back to Inverness. You will travel to Dunbeath Harbor for photos, and to Brora, famous for its golf courses and magnificent coastal scenery.

Wildlife Cruise from John O'Groats

4. Wildlife Cruise from John O'Groats

Experience the wild and windy Scottish coastline. Listen to informative commentary from your guide throughout the cruise and enrich your knowledge of Scotland’s natural history. Cruise through the Pentland Firth past Duncansby Head lighthouse passing close to the sheer 200-feet high cliffs teeming with sea birds followed by a close-up view of the famous Stacks of Duncansby. Cross the inner sound of the Pentland Firth for a view of the uninhabited island of Stroma and the colonies of Atlantic Grey Seals. See the various cliffs and birds of Stroma. The types of birdlife seen will depend on the nesting season. For example Puffins will be seen in large numbers in June and July but in much smaller numbers in August. If you are lucky, catch a view of some whales.

Inverness: Moray Coast, Puffins and Speyside Whisky Tour

5. Inverness: Moray Coast, Puffins and Speyside Whisky Tour

Explore the beauty of the Scottish highlands on this guided tour. Take the opportunity to explore local villages, visit a whisky distillery, see the adorable Puffin, and more, on this unforgettable tour experience. Depart Inverness and head straight for the historic village of Findhorn for a walk along the gorgeous beach. Trail the coast to Portknockie, where Bow Fiddle Rock, a dramatic sea arch, sits just off the shore.  Afterward, continue the village-hop to picture-perfect Cullen, home of the famous soup, Cullen Skink. Explore, eat lunch, and get excited about the next stop.  Take a walk at Troup Head Nature Reserve and look out for puffins and sea birds; you might even be lucky enough to spot marine life. Then, journey inland on the Malt Whisky Trail to learn all about single malt production at a Speyside whisky distillery, and judge for yourself whether experience is the best teacher. Make one final stop at the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands, in the small village of Carrbridge, before returning to Inverness in the evening.

Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness

6. Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness

Depart Inverness early in the morning and begin your tour crossing the beautifully scenic Black Isle and stopping in the village of Lochcarron. Enjoy the views across Loch Carron and perhaps pick up a bite to eat, before you continue on to Achintraid. The small village enjoys views over Loch Kishorn and a breathtaking mountain range on the opposite shore. Continue your journey, climbing upwards through dramatic landscape over the Bealach na Ba (Gaelic for Pass of the Cattle). Pause for photos at the summit of the third highest road in Britain at over 2000 feet, so be ready for those breathtaking views across Raasay and the Isle of Skye. Begin your descent to Applecross village, located on a beautiful bay and full of natural wildlife, perfect for nature lovers. Look out for otters, red kites, deer and perhaps pine martens. Stop here and enjoy plenty of time to explore the village. Begin your return journey to Inverness, driving along the banks of Loch Torridon, through the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. This nature reserve is one of the oldest in Britain and is home to plenty of wildlife; you may even spot a golden eagle. Travel on through Shieldaig and Kinlochewe and homeward bound to Inverness.

Fort William: Loch Linnhe Winter Cruise with Heated Cabin

7. Fort William: Loch Linnhe Winter Cruise with Heated Cabin

Enter Loch Linnhe on a winter cruise and experience the beauty of Fort William. Listen to live commentary about local culture, geology, and history as you admire the views of Ben Nevis. Keep an eye out for local wildlife including red deer, otters, seals, and a variety of sea birds. Make your way to the pier to meet your friendly crew and board the MV Elsi, an environmentally friendly catamaran. Stay outdoors on the observation deck with 360-degree views or warm up with indoor seating in the heated cabin. Let the skipper entertain you with live commentary as you drift over the waters of Loch Linnhe. Gain an insight into the culture, industry, history, and geology of Fort William. Help yourself to a complimentary hot drink on the boat to stay warm or choose from a range of local whiskies and beers at the bar for an additional charge. Enjoy panoramic views of the mighty Ben Nevis and sail past salmon and mussel farms. Try to spot wildlife including porpoises, seals, otters, red deer, and a range of sea birds before heading back to the pier.

From Balloch: Glencoe & Scottish Highlands & Waterfall Walk

8. From Balloch: Glencoe & Scottish Highlands & Waterfall Walk

You’ll be starting your Glencoe and Scottish Highlands day tour from Balloch at the very bottom of the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. You’re adventure begins by travelling north along the western shore of Loch Lomond, taking in amazing views looking out over Loch Lomond and hearing some of the local tales about the Loch’s history, including how the Vikings visited and colonised here over 1000 years ago. As you travel further north, you’ll eventually reach the Scottish Highlands, here, you’ll notice a drastic change in the landscape as you discover many of Scotland's mountains, glens and streams. You’ll see some ancient Caledonian Pine forests, a reminder of the habitat that once covered the majority of Scotland. Not long after this, we’ll get you out for a lovely short walk along a section of the West Highland Way, where you’ll hear tales about the Battle of Dail Righ, where its rumoured King Robert the Bruce was ambushed. On the walk, you’ll see the small lochan where it’s believed that King Robert threw his sword, to lighten the load as he tried to escape. You’ll continue north towards Glencoe where at the very head of the Glen, like a rugged old soldier guarding his post, you’ll lay eyes upon “The Buachaille”. You’ll now find yourself in one of the most eye wateringly beautiful locations in the whole of Scotland, surrounded by this ancient mountain landscape, you’ll be able to feel the history and the sense of overwhelming awe that makes filmmakers the world over wish to film here, showcasing Glencoe in many famous movies and T.V shows such as Outlander, Harry Potter, Braveheart, Highlander, Rob Roy, Monty Python and most recently in Netflix’s Outlaw King. After lunch, you’re next highland location is to visit some beautiful waterfalls, you’ll get out for another short hike in the rugged landscape where there’s also a chance to see some secretive Red Squirrels, as an endangered species, and very rare to find, our location gives us a good chance to spot them as we walk through the forestry. From the roar of waterfalls, you’ll now enjoy the tranquil scenic surroundings of Rannoch Moor, this ancient land may be one of the last remaining true wilderness spots left in Europe and contrasts the fabulous mountainous scenery all around it with it’s deep peat bogs and heather moorland stretching for miles around. Around this area we’ll be staying alert as this is quite often a very good location for spotting Red Deer, Scotland’s largest land mammal, cameras at the ready as we try to track them down. From here you’ll travel south back towards Loch Lomond for one final stop to enjoy the delights of Scotland’s largest freshwater Loch and get in some more breath-taking scenery before arriving back to Balloch to end your wonderful day tour exploring Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands. This Glencoe and Scottish Highlands Day Tour may be explored in reverse

Northwest Highlands: Private Tour with Hike

9. Northwest Highlands: Private Tour with Hike

If you like wide-open spaces, lonely glens to hike up, and dramatic mountian scenery, this tour has it all. After getting picked up, your guide will explain the course of the day and make any adjustments that you may require. Leaving Inverness and heading northwest over the Black Isle, you will be entertained with stories and legends of the area before stopping off at the beautiful, old Silver Bridge. Follow the Black Water river to the huge Aultguish Dam and onto Wester Ross. At Corrieshalloch Gorge, you’ll take a 30-minute walk and learn about the traces left from the ice age that formed the landscape. Take in the breathtaking views of this spectacular ravine. The fishing village Ullapool is the next stop, where you can take time to wander the streets and have a light refreshment. Then you’ll venture into one of the last wildernesses in Europe. Stop and take in the peculiar yet stunning Stac Pollaidh, Suilven, and An Tealach mountains. After traveling through some of the oldest mountains in the world, you’ll stop at the tiny fishing village of Lochinver for lunch. Depending on the weather, your lunch will be served in the restaurant or on a sandy beach under the shadow of Ardvreck Castle before you head into a lonely glen for your main 2-hour hike of the day: the Bone Caves of Inchnadamph. From here continue on through Sutherland and onto the east coast of Ross and Cromarty where the landscape changes again to flatter and greener farmland. Journey through the beautiful Strath Okyel and onto the Kyle of Sutherland, where a spectacular view awaits. From there you’ll return to Inverness, taking in the old navy port of Invergordon and a curious monument on top of Fyrish Hill.

From Balloch: Loch Lomond National Park Tour with 2 Walks

10. From Balloch: Loch Lomond National Park Tour with 2 Walks

Spend a day exploring the wonderful region of the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond on a guided trip. Experience the magical landscape with 2 hikes and breathtaking views, encountering Highland cattle, and stopping in the village of Luss. Begin on the eastern side of Loch Lomond, hiking around the water’s edge. Climb up the rolling green hills to experience breathtaking views of where the Scottish Highlands meet the Lowlands. Look out for the nature reserve Inchcailloch among the islands on the Loch.  Depart from Loch Lomond and travel through the Trossachs National Park, watching in awe as the landscape around you transforms into clusters of wooded glens and braes.  Go on your second hike of the day in this natural paradise. Meet the cute and friendly roaming inhabitants of the park, fluffy Highland cattle, and keep your eyes peeled for some of Scotland’s finest wildlife, like red deer, red squirrels, and even the golden eagle. After your hike, take a spectacular drive to the northern section of the Trossachs. Find your way to picturesque waterfalls and feel like you’ve entered into the world of the fairies. Make your last stop of the day in the historic village of Luss. Learn about the history of this place once invaded by the Vikings, before climbing up to one last viewpoint over the Trossachs National Park to say goodbye.

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What people are saying about Scottish Highlands

We joined the 2-hour cruise at the end of October, so it was a little cold up on top deck, but we loved it. The extra information on route was a bonus learning about the history of the loch, Lairds and local industry! We also spotted seals and porpoises - and added extra. Thanks for the experience

There was bad weather so in my case we had to skip the seals but nonetheless the crew were very good at giving us a good experience and making us have a good time. We had good talks about historic events that transpired there and the bumpy ride even made things more interesting. It was great!

This trip was amazing well worth the money. Very informative and super friendly skipper. 5 star cup of tea from Megan to keep warm. An all round great couple of hours spent. Highly recommended.

A wonderful trip around the loch! Our guide was very knowledgeable and was passionate about the area. We would recommend this tour to everyone!

Great team aboard the boat. Really work to ensure you enjoy the tour and get some great sites and educational pieces along the way