Hello! I'm new here. I'm planning a birding trip to Abernethy forest with my daughter for a special birthday. A fully guided holiday would be too expensive, but are there any guided walks which would help us? Also, can anyone recommend where to stay?
Hi Charlotte & welcome. I can't really help with the birding bit (as the Loch Garten osprey nest is currently ospreyless) but you should be able to find a reasonable B&B in Kingussie or Newtonmore and Aviemore is also very close. I have stayed at the Loch Insh Watersports Centre which is basic but has a decent restaurant & at the other end of the loch an osprey nest. If you need something else to do I can recommend the Highland Wildlife Park & also the Highland Folk Museum. The Loch Garten osprey visitor centre is also well worth a visit even with the (at the moment) absence of osprey. Ian
Some people think Ospreys are a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.
Hello Charlotte, we camped in Granton on Spey, a lovely place with lots of different shops, a great butchers and a fab chippy chop. We have also rented a cottage in Nethy Bridge, a little place, but does have a nice hotel. Boat of Garten also near, but not stayed anywhere there. All places not very far, only several miles, Granton roughly 20miles, from the RSPB centre. As Ian has said, to date there are no Osprey's back to Loch Garten but they will have walks and trails to do and will have all the literature in the centre, which is also well worth a visit. If you google accommodation BB, hotels or self catering around the area I am sure you will find something to suit.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Hello Charlotte. It's a lovely area to explore on foot, by bike or car. I have been a few times since I became an ospreyholic, but I have not been on any guided walks, so sadly cannot advise. I am sure there are others who could point you in the right direction who either live in the area or who used the services of a guide.
Cartridge would be a good centre too.
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