Overview
These 1 day wildlife tours begin from Aviemore and other villages within the area, and visit some of the most spectacular habitats in the the Cairngorms National Park. In addition to finding great wildlife, these tours also teach you about the important rewilding projects underway here.
- Local guide with 20+ years experience
- Telescope available
- Shared photos and videos
- Wildlife ID materials
- Qualified and fully insured
- Tours with flexible dates and wildlife itineraries starting from Aviemore
- #LekItBe Champion
Many good birding locations exist near Aviemore, which these tours regularly visit. To illustrate, ancient Caledonian pine forest holds crossbills and crested tit, and freshwater sites harbor osprey, wildfowl and divers. Meanwhile, Cairn Gorm mountain is home to ptarmigan, mountain hare and dotterel, while the glens hold deer and golden eagle. Please note, capercaillie is not a target species on this tour, see LekItBe for details.
In a typical day, we focus on one or two habitats (but for more sightings, 2 and 3 day guided trips are also available). Private bookings give maximum flexibility, depending on the weather and your interests. In addition, Aviemore provides a convenient location for those joining the wildlife tour from public transport.
These wildlife tours run year round in the Aviemore area, with periods of heavy winter snow as well as strong summer sunshine possible. Your guide Malcolm O’Reilly has over 20 years experience leading tours all over Scotland. He will help you make the best of the weather and opportunities, while also prioritising wildlife welfare and minimum impact.
Leave No Trace #LekItBe operator
Robert & Moira –
We had a fantastic January day birding around Aviemore with Malc. Taking advantage of the weather, he took us up to Cairngorm Mountain in search of top arctic-alpine birds you don’t get anywhere else in the UK. The views, the terrain and the experience were unforgettable – and the snow bunting flock that turned up right on schedule was every bit worth the climb. The afternoon found us in another unique environment, Caledonian pine forest, where we spent time taking in the flora, fauna, peace and magic. Malc was engaging, knowledgeable and expertly created our tour as it was happening, taking into account our ideas, interests and energy. It really couldn’t have been better.
Malc OReilly –
Thanks so much! I enjoyed our chats and your enthusiasm! Thanks for bringing the snow buntings!
Tricia Vinchesi (verified owner) –
We had a full day birding and wildlife tour with Mal in Cairngorms National Park on October 16. Of our three weeks touring around Scotland this was definitely a highlight. Mal’s knowledge of the landscape, forest and environment is truly astounding and his love of the area is contagious. We are pretty good birders but his abilities put us to shame! But that wasn’t the best part. Across a distant Highland he was able to locate two herds of red stag with hinds and we watched them calling to each other for over an hour! An unforgettable experience topped off by a golden eagle soaring above them. THIS is the tour to take! We can’t say enough good thins about Arc Guiding and wish we had two more days to go out again with him.
Malc OReilly –
Thanks so much Tricia, I had a great day with you and Fitz! The deer and eagle put on a great show and your humour and sharp eyes were much appreciated! Definitely did not suck 😁
Adam Dixon –
We had a fantastic day out searching for eagles near Aviemore. After several hours of searching, we saw a White-tailed Eagle, along with Buzzards and Red Kites. Malcom is very knowledgeable and we learnt some interesting facts about the landscape we were venturing through. We would thoroughly recommend arcguiding to others looking for a great day out wildlife watching.
Martin Bird (verified owner) –
Thanks to you for a very well hosted and thoroughly engrossing walk. We took many memories away and have been scrabbling among the pine cones to see the evidence of red squirrels and cross bills in subsequent days.
Patrick Bird (verified owner) –
Considerate, careful and excellent guiding in the Caledonia pine forests of Aviemore National Park. Highlights were crossbills, crested tits and great northern divers on a day with very mixed weather when we needed to move from place to place to avoid the showers. Malcolm made very best use of the day and is clearly massively experienced in the area and good company.
Steve Songhurst –
Fantastic time with Malc, off grid in Glen Feshie, fording streams, visiting bothies and capturing the spirit of the highlands. Great guide; you won’t regret choosing Arc Guiding ….once your boots have dried out 😉.
Gina Ebner –
We had a brilliant day and saw an amazing number of animals. Malcolm is very knowledgeable and kind. If you visit the Highlands and have an interest in nature, you shouldn’t miss this
Imogen Wareing –
We spent a morning with Malc recently on a wildlife tour near Tomatin. It was an excellent experience. The booking and communication in advance was great, with Malc tailoring the trip to our preferences. Malc has an excellent awareness of where to encounter wildlife and a great eye, together with an impressive knowledge of nature which meant that all of our questions were answered. We were lucky enough to see golden eagles, buzzards, red deer, mountain hares & lizards! Thank you Malc for a really great experience!
Imogen Wareing –
We spent a morning with Malc recently on a wildlife tour near Tomatin. It was an excellent experience. The booking and communication in advance was great, with Malc tailoring the trip to our preferences. Malc has an excellent awareness of where to encounter wildlife and a great eye, together with an impressive knowledge of nature which meant that all of our questions were answered. We were lucky enough to see golden eagles, buzzards, red deer, mountain hares & lizards! Thank you Malc for a really great experience!
T. Lawrence and R. Kellas –
Thanks again for the trip, and for going the extra mile to recognise our honeymoon. Ticked off the main things we were aiming for and felt like we learnt more about how to spot wildlife in the process. Watching the deer through a telescope is something we would never have done on our own!
J. Mathers –
Thanks for the guide, really enjoyed it and glad we got great views of those Crossbills! Thanks again for an enjoyable morning. Will visit the Cairngorms again for sure!
R and C Whiffin –
We did not get all we wanted on a hard day. Not your fault – you tried hard and it was appreciated. Your efforts and determination were notable. Above all was your friendly attitude.
B and A Hooker –
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip out with you, and rest assured that when we visit Scotland again (and we will), we shall be contacting you.
B and A Hooker –
Although we didn’t get to see all the birds we were looking for, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience at just the right pace.
B & R King –
We thoroughly enjoyed our day out with you. Thankyou for your patience and consideration and the informative chats along the way…
J & N Smith, North Carolina, US –
Once we described what we wanted to see, you came up with excellent suggestions of how to accomplish our goals. Email and Skype were great ways to communicate and to get to know you before we met in person…we enjoyed being with you.
D and P Morgan –
We had a thoroughly enjoyable day. Malcolm is knowledgeable, personable and excellent company. Above all he is clearly passionate about the area and its wildlife. He has an uncanny ability to seek out and spot birds you did not even know were there.
G & A Brown –
A wonderful day. We must do something like this again.
N & G Basset (OBE), Hotel Terravina –
We had a great time with you and can highly recommend a trip out with your expert guiding – brilliant!
Martine Stoffer-Goldschmeding –
We all had a super super day! Thanks so much for the birthday cake, it was such a nice gesture… And what a birthday present this day was.
M. Stoffer-Goldschmeding –
We really enjoyed the day we spent with you in the Cairngorms; from spotting crossbills and even a capercaillie from very close by in the woods, to our afternoon in the Findhorn valley watching deer. The birthday cake for my birthday was a truly thoughtful surprise as well! Both adults and kids alike wanted to do this more often; so we will be back during our regular trips to Scotland!
D. Playle –
Above all he is good company, doing his utmost to accommodate your wildlife requests, whilst exhibiting a total respect for the flora, fauna and the environment he will guide you through.
D. Playle –
I have used Malcolms’ services as a wildlife guide for the past three years…. we have had truly excellent days in the forest, the mountains, and on the coast. The wildlife can be sparse, hard to find and the weather fickle but with [his] expertise we have enjoyed memorable sightings.