14 wonderful wildlife tours to book in Scotland

Birding Ecosse

Based in the stunning coastal location of Moray in the Scottish Highlands, Birding Ecosse offers a great way to get outdoors and spot some of your favourite bird species. Offering an enjoyable and welcoming experience, soak up the stunning scenery, get chatting to your friendly and knowledgeable tour guide and learn a thing or two about the history of the local area along the way. Choose from a variety of tours on offer, including The Big Day Tour, Highland Birds, or The Moray Coast. You never know, you may spot species you never knew existed!

You’ll be picked up and dropped off at your accommodation, with all transport and guiding included, plus light refreshments throughout the day. All you need to bring is a tasty packed lunch and your sense of adventure.

Start/End Point: starting on the Moray coast and finishing in the Monadhliath mountains
Season/Months: year-round – winter is from October to April and summer is May to September
Location: Scottish Highlands (based in Moray)
Price: from £140
Length of Tour: day trips, mid-week breaks and long weekends

Book a tour with Birding Ecosse

The Shetland Isles

Head north to glorious Shetland where you can spend a week hopping around the islands on a birdwatching trip. Birdlife on Shetland is plentiful, and a boat trip out to the Isle of Mousa means you can see hundreds of European Storm Petrels, which return ashore to their nests as darkness falls. This is a trip to remember with options including coastal walks on the stunning St Ninian’s Isle, a bird watching cruise to Noss National Nature Reserve and visiting the Isle of Fetlar. Join your knowledgeable and experienced guide as you explore the remarkable archipelago of Shetland, with hundreds of fascinating sites, history, spectacular wildlife and a vibrant culture to uncover along the way.

The tour also includes your accommodation, transport, meals and transfers, so all the organisation and planning is done for you!

Start/end point: Sumburgh Hotel
Season/months: June
Location: Mainland Shetland
Price: £1,995
Length of tour: 7 nights

Book a tour with Shetland Wildlife

Winter ildlife in the Highlands

Journey deep into the magical Highlands for an unforgettable experience exploring Scotland’s wintery landscapes and elusive wildlife. In the chillier months a whole new realm of wildlife can be seen across Scotland, and many Scottish animals even change their entire appearance to blend into the snowy surroundings. Venture on this 5-day escape into Caledonian pine forests and snow-capped peaks where you can explore a variety of different habitats and learn more about the wildlife and their incredible capabilities to endure the winter conditions. Spot incredible species such as red deer, ptarmigan, whooper swans, free-roaming reindeer and much more.

Your trip includes accommodation, meals and travel, so all the planning is done for you. All you need to do is bring yourself and the correct clothing and equipment!

Start/end point: start and finish in Kingussie
Season/months: winter
Location: Cairngorms National Park
Price: from £1,195
Length of tour: 5 days 

Book a Winter Wildlife trip with Wilderness Scotland

Wild West - Deer Rut Tours

Red deer are very common in the mountains of Scotland throughout the year. On a Wild West Safari, you’ll be out looking for the UK’s largest land mammal. Autumn is an ideal time of year to spot deer, as you’ll find them out rutting in the wild. You may be lucky enough to see a pair of stags lock antlers in a duel and hear the sound of their roars vibrating across the glen. Rut safaris are available daily throughout autumn, with the option of a trip at dawn to catch the best of the action. Throughout the winter when the climate and terrain gets tougher, red deer often make their way further down the mountain in search of food. This can often lead them to the roadside for great photo opportunities. You can also enjoy the half-day Wee Safari to spot otters and see a magnificent view of Ben Nevis on the return journey. 

Start/end point: Fort William
Season/months: autumn – late September to end of October
Location: Scottish Highlands
Price: £375 for up to 6 passengers
Length of tour: 4.5 - 5 hours

Book a Wild West Deer Rut Tour

Basking Shark Scotland

It wouldn’t be a wildlife trip to Scotland without experiencing Scottish sea life. Did you know basking sharks are the biggest fish in Scotland and the UK, and you can spot them off our coasts? Most commonly spotted on the west coast in between our stunning islands, basking sharks can be seen swimming close to our shores and coastlines in search of food. Despite their often scary appearance, basking sharks are typically harmless and only feed on plankton. So if you ever see a strange fin poking out of the water, it could be your friendly neighbourhood shark!

Venture out on a boat tour for a better chance of seeing these giant creatures up close. Experiences on offer include scuba diving, so hop onboard and let the expert marine guides show you the best of Scotland’s water wildlife.

Start/end point: check the Basking Shark Scotland website
Season/months: April – October
Location: Oban
Price: from £80
Length of tour: one day, multi-day, or bespoke

Book a tour with Basking Shark Scotland

Dolphin Spirit Inverness

The Moray Firth is one of the best places in Scotland to see dolphins playing in the water. Located in the north east just along from Inverness, head out on a boat trip where you can learn more about bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises, whilst keeping a watchful eye out to spot some for yourself. Experience a family-friendly dolphin cruise, taking in incredible sights and scenery as you travel up the Beauly Firth towards the Caledonian Canal, then head out to the Inverness Firth under the Kessock bridge and as far out as Munlochy Bay. Aside from dolphins poking their heads above the water, the Moray Firth is also home to an abundance of other wildlife including otters, seals, birdlife and more.

Remember to wrap up warm (even in summer) and waterproofs are always a good idea!

Start/end point: Inverness Marina
Season/months: April – October
Location: Inverness
Price: varies
Length of tour: 2 hours

Book a tour with Dolphin Spirit

Kitchen Coos and Ewes

Head to south west Scotland and Airyolland Farm, where you can enjoy a range of farm tours and experiences that allow you to get up close to different farm animals, and also soak up the atmosphere of a working farm. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, head on a walking tour of the farm where you can see Highland cows up close, wander past remains from the Bronze Age and finish off with some delicious home baking. Or get involved with the Insta Coo Tour, where you can get outdoors and experience cute Highland coos in their natural habitat.

There’ll be plenty of time to get that Instagram-worthy shot, plus you can learn all about the coos from your experienced guide, travelling around in a comfortable farm tour trailer.

Start/end point: Airyolland Farm
Season/months: throughout the year
Location: Dumfries & Galloway
Price: from £25.20
Length of tour: varies for each tour

Book a tour with Kitchen Coos & Ewes