Speyside Wildlife
Speyside Wildlife
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Speyside Wildlife has 30 years of experience in organising wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday. We have an Evening Mammal Watching Hide and Badger photography hide near Aviemore and our guides are available to hire for Guided Days Out in the Cairngorms National Park. We operate fully inclusive holidays around Scotland, the wider UK and overseas with a tailormade trip service also available. Speyside Wildlife holds a valid ATOL license, is accredited VisitScotland 4-star, Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold and a member of Wild Scotland and the Cairngorms Business Partnership.
Aviemore, Aviemore and the Cairngorms, Scotland
Features animals
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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5.0
289 reviews
Excellent
261
Very good
18
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
0
charliehall300
London, UK14 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We had two experiences with Speyside Wildlife Trust - a guided day tour and a visit to the evening hide. Both were absolutely fantastic and we would highly recommend them to any other wildlife-mad visitors to the Cairngorms!
The day tour with our guide Ailie was the most wonderful introduction to the diverse bird and animal life in the area. We spent much of the day in the Strathdearn valley, where we saw, among other things, red deer, mountain hares, a golden eagle, and many other raptors. Outside of the valley, we saw red grouse, red squirrels, roe deer, and much else besides. Ailie was the perfect guide - knowledgeable, enthusiastic, friendly, and a great multitasker (driving, chatting and spotting wildlife all at once!)
The evening hide was comfortable, spacious and offered a great view of a dedicated and well-lit feeding area. We were very fortunate to spend almost 90 minutes in the company of a whole family of badgers and a very endearing pine marten - watching them up close for so long was an absolute privilege. Our guide for the evening, Harris, could not have been more helpful, providing us with loads of information about the animals and then taking extra time, at the end of our experience, to help us stargaze with the use of his telescope and encyclopedic knowledge of the night sky!
A huge thank you to Speyside Wildlife Trust for helping to make our first visit to the Cairngorms so memorable!
The day tour with our guide Ailie was the most wonderful introduction to the diverse bird and animal life in the area. We spent much of the day in the Strathdearn valley, where we saw, among other things, red deer, mountain hares, a golden eagle, and many other raptors. Outside of the valley, we saw red grouse, red squirrels, roe deer, and much else besides. Ailie was the perfect guide - knowledgeable, enthusiastic, friendly, and a great multitasker (driving, chatting and spotting wildlife all at once!)
The evening hide was comfortable, spacious and offered a great view of a dedicated and well-lit feeding area. We were very fortunate to spend almost 90 minutes in the company of a whole family of badgers and a very endearing pine marten - watching them up close for so long was an absolute privilege. Our guide for the evening, Harris, could not have been more helpful, providing us with loads of information about the animals and then taking extra time, at the end of our experience, to help us stargaze with the use of his telescope and encyclopedic knowledge of the night sky!
A huge thank you to Speyside Wildlife Trust for helping to make our first visit to the Cairngorms so memorable!
Written 12 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan S
10 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We had a really special evening watching badgers and seeing a pine marten very close up. Harris our guide is super knowledgeable. It really felt like a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience and great value.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review for us and great to hear how much you enjoyed your experience with us and our guide Harris.
Written 3 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Destination146924
4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Myself and my husband booked this experience. We were not disappointed. The guide Harris was very knowledgable and advised on where to look to see the animals arriving. We saw 7-8 badgers and then a Pine Marten arrived 5 minutes before we were due to leave. A totally amazing experience. Would definitely do it again.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It sounds like to had a great night in the hide and thank you for letting us know how much you enjoyed your evening.
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
aitchjay_1
Wirral, UK29 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Just had the best evening watching badgers at Speyside Wildlife. We saw six in total, all very busy. An hour in and a female Pine Marten, just amazing. We also saw a bank vole and wood mice. Harris, our guide was very friendly and very knowledgeable.
Written 28 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and for visiting the hide.
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JULIE M
Skipton, UK80 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Fabulous experience!
On holiday in Nethy Bridge we visited the hide twice . Harris was a brilliant guide pointing out not only information about the badgers and pine martens but also information about plants and the night sky on our way to our car!
We felt so privileged to see six badgers and watch their interactions and feeding . The icing on the cake was when the Pine marten showed up and we got brilliant views close up . We would definitely recommend booking the hide , and will visit again the next time we’re up in that area . Thank you !!
On holiday in Nethy Bridge we visited the hide twice . Harris was a brilliant guide pointing out not only information about the badgers and pine martens but also information about plants and the night sky on our way to our car!
We felt so privileged to see six badgers and watch their interactions and feeding . The icing on the cake was when the Pine marten showed up and we got brilliant views close up . We would definitely recommend booking the hide , and will visit again the next time we’re up in that area . Thank you !!
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5-star review and it sounds like you had a fabulous time in the hide. We look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
L F
Beccles, UK60 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
We booked and were given instructions how to get there but somehow went wrong and were a bit late arriving.
Our guide phoned us and we explained we were nearly there. As it turned out he could hear the car. Harris was our guide and we can't think him enough for waiting and giving us a few extra minutes.
The hide is comfortable with large windows and a microphone outside.
Almost immediately badgers arrived and we had 7 in total. You could hear them scratching at the wood for the food. We also heard tawny owls.
Alas, no pine marten appeared.
Harris was very knowledgeable and informative.
We would certainly return to try to see the elusive pine marten.
Our guide phoned us and we explained we were nearly there. As it turned out he could hear the car. Harris was our guide and we can't think him enough for waiting and giving us a few extra minutes.
The hide is comfortable with large windows and a microphone outside.
Almost immediately badgers arrived and we had 7 in total. You could hear them scratching at the wood for the food. We also heard tawny owls.
Alas, no pine marten appeared.
Harris was very knowledgeable and informative.
We would certainly return to try to see the elusive pine marten.
Written 15 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review about your trip to our Evening Mammal Hide.
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennifer
California4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We did a Cairngorms wildlife guided day out with Ailie, and she was great. She took us around looking for birds and squirrels and deer, all of which we saw close up via her scope and binoculars. All the while she dropped interesting little bits of naturalist knowledge which we then remembered for the other days we were on our own encountering wildlife and plants in Scotland. She was very flexible, adjusting to some unusual conditions (during a heat wave and post-migration for many species) and our interests.
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It sounds like you had a really nice day out with Ailie and enjoyed your Guided Day Out in the Cairngorms. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alison W
Blackpool, UK2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
An amazing evening. Six badgers turned up and the interaction between them was incredible especially when there was a disagreement between them. Harris was very knowledgeable and helpful. By far and away the best part of the evening, though, was when the pine marten showed. Being so close to this beautiful creature was such a privilege and something I will never forget!!
Written 8 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Alison
Thank you for taking time to leave a review and it sounds like you had a really special evening!
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GoPlaces40529974709
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
The badgers were amazing, 7 of them at once, our grandsons aged 8 &13 were totally awed and even more sore when the male pine martin appeared. An excellent experience and some really good photos and videos taken.
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sounds like you had a wonderful evening, thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Written 4 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gill
5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We had a brilliant evening watching badgers and pinemartins in a comfortable hide. Harris was very informative and we all spent a lovely evening watching badgers and mice collect food and a pine martin graced us with her presence just before we were leaving. Would highly recommend this experience.
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review about your recent visit to our hide.
Written 4 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mefromnotts
worksop2 contributions
Hi my wife walks with crutches, is this attraction suitable for her please ?
Speyside W
United Kingdom1 contribution
Hello, apologies for the delayed reply. Yes, you can drive up to the hide rather than walk if this is organised prior to arrival, there is then a very short distance to walk up to the hide
Lorne G
45 contributions
Can you please tell me the cost for two adults for the all day wildlife tour..thanks
Speyside W
United Kingdom1 contribution
Hello Lorne G, thank you for your question and a Standard Guided Day Out is £250.00 (£195 if booked online) – 9am to 5pm. An Extended Day is £295.00 (£250 if booked online) – max 10 hours – actual time to be agreed between you and your guide.(either day out includes transport for you and up to 6 companions) full details can be found on our website
Flintstone89
Devon, UK127 contributions
What's the best time of year to come to see the most wildlife or is there some to be seen all year round? Thanks :)
Liz E
Beverley, UK94 contributions
There's animals all year round but apparently late June is especially good as there are many youngsters
Manolo P
20 contributions
Hay rutas de senderismo guiadas desde Avimore?
Speyside W
United Kingdom1 contribution
Hi Manolo, our apologies for not replying sooner. Yes, we can run guided experiences from Aviemore, we can collect you from you accommodation