Birdwatching, Wildlife & Wildlife Boat Trips

The wildlife in Glencoe is limited and probably due to the lack of natural shelter caused by high winds and rainfall of over 90 inches per year. The weather here is unpredictable, snow can lie on the high tops well into July, yet even some of the shortest of winter days can be surprisingly mild and bright. Some would say that it is the rapidly changing and unpredictable weather that gives Glencoe so much of its character!

The fox is a regular visitor on the higher mountain slopes along with the blue hare. The wildcat, badger and pine marten stalk the lower slopes but sightings are quite rare – the long-tailed field mouse, vole and common shrew are the mammals more likely to be encountered.

Red deer and roe deer are far more common than one would think and now probably constitute majority of sightings of four-footed wildlife seen each day. Indeed, at night and during the winter months, red deer can be seen feeding and seeking shelter in the fields and on the lower moorland slopes.

Bird life is certainly much more abundant and one visitor is reported to have encountered more than 40 different species during a short afternoon’s walk along the banks of the River Coe!

Raven and Buzzard are regularly to be seen and heard soaring high overhead. Golden Eagles are less common and keep to the remoter areas south of the main mountain mass – reports of their sightings are often mistaken for those of Buzzard for it is difficult to distinguish between the two when the birds are seen at a distance.

Snow bunting and ptarmigan are encountered regularly on the high peaks, and on the edge of the Rannoch Moor there are many grouse, blackcock, curlew, golden plover and snipe. The numbers of wild duck and whooper swans to be seen on Loch Achtriochtan are also increasing each winter.

The rare chequered skipper butterlfy that can only befound within a 30 mile radius of Fort William. One of the best places to spot it if you are lucky enough is the Allt Mhuic Butterfly Reserve situated beside the stunning Loch Arkaig. There are usually a wee group of Highland Cows in the area as well.

But for a few isolated pines to be seen near Loch Achtriochtan, in common with the rest of Scotland, much of the old Caledonian Forest has long disappeared. Some new stands of conifer have been planted. The only deciduous woodland of any significance lies beside the river near Glencoe village. In consolation one must say that they do provide a wonderful splash of colour in early Autumn.

The traditional moorland grasses are dominant on the lower mountain slopes, with ling and heather on the hills up to around 2000 feet. Lower down there is an abundance of bog myrtle and cotton grass and, in the wetter places on the sides of pools, there is bog asphodel, butterwort, sundew and bladderwort. You might even find some wild blueberrys lurking amongst the heather.

On the high mountains, tucked away on ledges away from the all-devouring sheep, can be found a marvellous variety of typically alpine species such as wood anemone, sorrel, wild hyacinth, common violets, saxifrage and lady’s-mantle.

HIGHLAND TITLES NATURE RESERVE – DUROR

Just a 25 minute drive from us here at Clachaig Inn this is the original Highland Titles Nature Reserve which now has an impressive four nature reserves. Opened in 2007 you can enjoy watching the local wild life from one of their hides located by a few small lochans. The cycle path from Glencoe to Oban goes straight through the reserve and you’ll pass straight by these hides.

In 2017 they built their first Wildcat enclosure. In 2019 they opened their Hedgehog Hospital to give a forever home for injured Hedgehogs. In 2024 they introduced some young Highland cows which you can adopt and visit.

Guided tours are available to book on their website.

Wildlife Boat Tours

Being on the west coast of Scotland it might come as no surprise there are plenty of fairly local companies offering wildlife boat tours.

Fort William

CRUISE LOCH LINNHE

Cruise Loch Linnhe offer 3 different cruises and also offer a high speed rib adventure. You can privately charter a cruise for a maximum of 50 guests.

OCEAN TREK

Ocean Trek offer a 1 hour or 2 hour trip on their fast rib, with the 2 hour trip even coming down here to Glencoe.

Arisaig, Glenfinnan & mallaig

ARISAIG MARINE LIMITED – ARISAIG

You can hire one of 3 private charter boats from the Arisaig including a catamaran or you can simply get on one of the ferries heading out to the small isles. Common sightings include Minke Whales, Dolphins (Bottle Nose, Common & Risso), Porpoises, Basking Sharks, Seals (Grey & Common), Eagles (Sea & Golden), Puffins, Great Skua, Petrel (Storm & Leach’s) and if you are really lucky you might see a Pomarine Skua, Sandwich Terns or even a pod of Orcas. The Sandwich Terns and Orcas are only seen generally once or twice a year. While the Pomarine is most likely to be seen between late April and May, and between August and November.

LOCH SHIEL CRUISES – GLENFINNAN & ACHARACLE 

The MV Sileas offers you the opportunity to penetrate one of Britain’s few remaining wilderness areas, where regular sightings of Golden Eagles and Red Deer are common.

Accessible only by boat, the eighteen-mile length of Loch Shiel, once a sea-loch but reshaped by the retreating glaciers of the last Ice Age, contains a wide variety of wildlife amidst stunning mountain scenery.

Cruises are operated by friendly, knowledgeable local people who provide live commentary on the trip. The Sileas has a bar and also offers tea, coffee and light refreshments. Meals and snacks are available at each end of the loch at Glenfinnan and Acharacle.

Common birds you’ll see are Seilag, Golden Eagles, White-Tailed (Sea) Eagles, Black-Throated Divers and Red-throated Divers. Less common birds include  Peregrine, Sparrow Hawk, Kestrel, Osprey and Hen Harrier. Ducks on the Loch are Dabchick, Goosander, Red- breasted Merganser, Mallard, Goldeneye and Tufted. There is a resident population of Greylag Geese at the southern end of the Loch, joined occasionally by Pink-footed and Canadian visitors.

Always good to see during June and July are the Common Gull chicks which frequent the small islands.

There are large populations of Red Deer which graze on the higher slopes of the surrounding mountains and despite their fantastic camouflage can be seen by the avid observer.

WESTERN ISLE CRUISES – MALLAIG

If you do nothing else whilst visiting Mallaig you must do this. Our One-Hour Wildlife Cruise has become the best attraction in Mallaig!

Designed to fit in with the Jacobite Steam Train and Scot Rail, this trip leaves Mallaig at 12:45 and 15:30 daily, April to October and 2.20pm July – August.  Returning with plenty of time for the trains back to Fort William.

We leave the harbour with the isles of Skye, Rhum, and Eigg to our left. Crossing the entrance to Loch Nevis, we travel to Green Island on the Knoydart Peninsula. The waters are frequently visited by a variety of birds, seals, porpoises, dolphins, whales and basking sharks.

The MV Western Isles has toilets and a whisky bar onboard. You are welcome to bring your own food from the chippy or a sandwich from one of the local shops.

Children under five and dogs travel free.

Western Isle Cruises also operate the Mallaig to Knoydart Ferry Service

MINCH ADVENTURES – PRIVATE LUXURY CHARTER – MALLAIG

Set sail into Scotland’s wild Highland seascapes on a private luxury charter. Explore remote coastlines and islands with the chance to encounter whales, dolphins, seals, and soaring sea eagles along the way.

Our deep local knowledge, history, and storytelling bring the Highlands and Islands to life, turning every journey into an unforgettable experience.

Savour the flavours of the sea with an excellent seafood lunch, freshly prepared and enjoyed against some of the most spectacular backdrops in the world.

Oban

ALLAN’S BOAT TRIPS

Long Established Local Family Firm. Established 1976. Find them on the Railway pier right in the heart of Oban!

Enjoy a one hour, or new two hour, scenery and wildlife boat trip around beautiful Oban Bay.

Keep an eye out for the frequently spotted White Tailed Sea Eagle. View our local seals basking in their colony, always mindful of their well-being.

Covered seating for rainy days and dog friendly too!

ARGYLL SEA TOURS

Argyll Sea Tours offer a 1 hour seal island trip and 2 hour wildlife trip and new for 2025 a 3 hour wild life trip

The 3 hour trip will take you south from Oban at 9am. We will pass the beautiful slate islands of Luing, Seil and Belnahua before heading for a trip around the Garvellachs.

Throughout our journey we will be keeping a keen eye out for all sorts of wildlife; seabirds such as Gannets, Manx Shearwaters and Auks and if we are lucky maybe even Porpoise, Whales and Dolphins!

You will be provided bespoke commentary from local guides all about the areas fascinating history. The boat trip will take you on a journey spanning thousands of years- from the local slate industry to St. Brendans Monastery which dates back to the year 542!

Argyll Sea Tours also offer a 3 hour fishing trip.

OBAN SEA TOURS