Winter Tours
The tours below are just a taster of what you could see on a week long winter tour.
Booking: To book any of the following tours please contact Steve on 01870 620241or 07733 026663. Alternatively you can email me on steveduffield@hebrides.net
All pre-booked tours will be met at your port of entry to the Uists, whether you come by air or sea. You will be taken to your comfortable lodgings to relax and gather yourself whilst having the opportunity to meet some of the other guests and local characters. All tours include the cost of breakfast, packed lunch and dinner (drinks are not included). All travel on and between islands is also arranged and paid for to make your stay as relaxing as we can and allow you to enjoy the wildlife.
Winter wonder
6th - 12th January 2008 / 20th - 26th January 2008
10th - 16th February 2008
Expected wildlife highlights: Start your new
year with 
something different. The Outer Hebrides is probably not what
most people would think of as a winter destination but you'd be surprised at just what the islands have to offer. The long golden beaches are devoid of people and the Atlantic waves roll and crash along the shore creating an exhilarating feel to the place. Surprisingly for somewhere so far north the islands hold large wintering concentrations of waders including nationally important numbers of Purple Sandpipers and good numbers of Greenshank too. The birds of prey are easier to see at this time of year and we will get excellent views of the wintering sea duck and divers. There's also an excellent chance of seeing Otters too as they are at their most obvious at this time of year.
Itinerary: We will be based on the Uists and visit all the major islands in the southern group, including Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay – now all joined by causeways. We will also take the ferry across to Barra to explore and pick up some wintering divers. Each island has its own unique charm and character, linked with the culture of this Gaelic speaking archipelago your sure to have a very interesting and entertaining holiday with a difference.
Short list of species: Snow Bunting, Corn Bunting, Twite, Skylark, Greenland White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Geese, Greylag Geese, Long-tailed Duck, Eider, Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Purple Sandpiper, Sanderling, Grey plover, Greenshank, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Otter, Red Deer, Grey Seal, Common Seal.
Otters are common in the Outer Hebrides and animals are often active during the day. No body knows just how many Otters there are as although they are frequently seen they can also be very unobtrusive. Signs of Otters have been detected in every 10km square of the Outer Hebrides.
Another highlight of the islands is the number of birds of prey. There are eight resident species including the enormous White-tailed Eagle (photo: immature White-tailed Eagle by M Darlaston), Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine, Merlin, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. The White-tailed Eagle is the largest bird of prey in the UK with a wingspan reaching almost 2.5 metres in some individuals. They can be told from the commoner Golden Eagle even at a distance by the much shorter tail.
Cost: £699 for an all inclusive week long package.
Two days guided bird-watching or general wildlife breaks are also available for just £100 per person.
(Food and accommodation can also be arranged)
