Improve your photography and capture images of rare local wildlife and scenery on this three-hour guided walk around the Rothiemurchus Estate.
This ancient landscape of pine forest, lochs, mountains, rivers and glens has been in the same family for 450 years and their work to preserve this unique habitat and the broad range of wildlife that inhabits it has international significance.
The estate protects Scotland's largest remaining section of ancient Caledonian Scots pine forest and with it a significant number of protected species making wildlife photography at Rothiemurchus particularly rewarding. So much so, the estate is used regularly for the filming of BBC wildlife documentaries.
The private tour takes place on the Rothiemurchus Estate, a vast expanse of the Scottish Highlands which is renowned for both its scenery and its biodiversity. The walk begins at the Rothiemurchus Centre where you'll meet your guide, a local resident and one of the UK's top wildlife photographers.
After a short briefing you'll set out on foot on trails and paths through the woodland, across hillsides and to tranquil lakes in search of red deer, pine martens, ospreys, highland cattle, badgers, buzzards and red squirrels.
Years of work on the estate has given your guide a deep understanding of the patterns of movement and daily habits of the wildlife here which leads to highly reliable sightings. In addition, the movement of wildlife, such as ospreys, is monitored to help you make the most of your time on the trail.
Your guide will lead you to the most likely spots to capture images of the wildlife and to settings where the estate and its scenery will provide perfect backdrops for memorable photographs.
As you walk your guide will teach you skills and techniques that will improve your wildlife photography, looking at the importance of timing and setting, shutter speed and aperture as well as the importance of local knowledge and wildlife habitats.
Along with other locations you will visit hides around the estate and at lakesides which give a prime position from which to shoot. The hides are large, warm and modern and have large, glass picture windows which provide the opportunity to get close up images of inquisitive wildlife that come close to the hides.
In addition to learning about wildlife photography on this tour, your guide can provide an insight into the estate and its rich history offering stories and anecdotes about the locations you visit on your walk.
The walk will take approximately three hours and when completed you’ll return to the Rothiemurchus Centre. Depending on the time of day, you can enjoy something to eat at the estate's restaurant, which serves a selection of dishes made from ingredients grown or raised on the estate.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Scotland specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Dalwhinnie Distillery tour with whisky and chocolate tasting
Learn how Scotland's smooth but complex single malts are produced on a tour of a historic whisky distillery set high in the Cairngorms National Park, and discover what gives each whisky its distinctive characteristics as you linger over several samples.
Explore Rothiemurchus Estate by Land Rover
Explore the vast Rothiemurchus Estate on a guided tour around ancient Caledonian forest well-known for its wide variety of wildlife. You'll also learn about the history of the estate and the Grant family who have lived here for 450 years.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
