Departure from the Isle of Skye
The tour can start from the Isle of Skye, very close to the mainland coast and easily reachable by ferry or via the Skye Bridge, near Kyle of Lochalsh.
Here, you can observe a large colony of wild otters at the Kylerhea Otter Haven and embark on thrilling boat trips that allow you to spot whales and a very diverse fish fauna. Once back on the west coast of Scotland, you can head north, first along the Loch Carron fjord and then, via the A896 road, the Torridon fjord, bordered by the Torridon Hills, wooded hills, home to deer and golden eagles.
Heading east, you pass through the Benn Eighe National Nature Reserve, where you can hike a well-marked trekking trail along the shores of Loch Maree. Continuing towards Gairloch, you can visit the Gairloch Marine Life Centre, where at the well-equipped visitor center you can organize boat trips to spot dolphins, bottlenose whales, seals, and porpoises.
Towards Ullapool
Always heading north, in the direction of Ullapool, you discover the wonderful views of Loch Ewe fjord (there are otters here too) and, taking the road that leads to the Corrieshalloch gorge, it is not uncommon to spot the flight of the merlin and many other species of birds of prey. The gorge is spectacular to say the least: carved by the melting waters of glaciers, it ends with the Measach waterfalls, which can be viewed from a panoramic platform and a suspension bridge. Beyond Ullapool, continue north towards the island of Handa, a nature reserve famous for its colonies of seabirds, such as skuas and gulls, which nest here (boat trips are available from April to September).
Balnakeil Bay
The A838 road reaches the northern coast near the Kyle of Durness strait, where, starting from Balnakeil Bay, you can go for walks to observe the charming puffins nesting on Faraid Head. The entire northern coast is a genuine paradise for spotting seals and seabirds; an excellent spot to watch puffins is, for example, the Stacks of Duncansby, imposing rock pinnacles rising dramatically from the sea near John o’ Groats. Parking at the lighthouse, they become visible after a pleasant walk through the undulating moorland that leads to the cliffs. Inland, via the A897 road, you can reach the RSPB Forsinard Reserves, with the Flow Country, an expanse of peatland covered by wetlands, representing a unique habitat and home to the short-eared owl and the hen harrier.
