There are many great reasons for taking the time to visit the Scottish Highlands and enjoying the vacation of a life-time. For this author, one of the most exciting opportunities is the chance to view wildlife. It is never a guarantee, unless you visit a zoo, that you will get to see every creature on your wish list, but with a good pair of binoculars, some help from the locals and good luck, you should get to see many. Here are some of the most sought after animals to view.
~ Red deer
Red deer may be the most well known of the land animals that call the Scottish Highlands home. There are an estimated 300 thousand red deed in Scotland and the majority of those call the highlands home. They travel in separate small herds, but tend to bunch up more during the rut.
~ Kingfisher
The kingfisher is an inland bird. It is a bird that is easy to spot and identify. They have feathers that are orange and bright blue. As the name implies, these birds are fishers. They can be spotted flying fast and low over water to search for dinner.
~ Pine Martin
The pine martin is about the size of the domestic cat. They are a member of the mustilid family. They are unique because they have semi-retractable claws. The fur of the pine martin is brown, with a cream or yellow bib in the summer. They are delightful to watch leap and prance about.
~ Adder
The adder is only poisonous snake found in Scotland. The snake has distinctive dark zigzag markings on its back. They are dark in color, but their bright orange eyes are unique.
~ Otters
Sea otters are fun to watch. It may be true that an otter never really grows up. They seem to play for hours.
~ Red squirrel
This is another animal that Scotland is rather famous for. These are plentiful, but it does take some keen eyes and time to see them. They can sometimes be lured in with treats.
~ Golden eagle
These can be seen in other places, but any time you can view this magnificent bird of prey is exciting. Some are even lucky enough to see them snatch up a rabbit or two.
~ Puffin
These bright colored birds can only be seen in the spring when the birds come ashore to breed. They are very unique and if you can plan your trip during that time, it is a special treat.
~ Basking shark
You will probably only see the large fin and a shadow under the water. However, this shark is the second largest fish known to man, so even seeing that fin is a spectacular experience. Be sure if you are out on a spotting boat to pay close attention.
~ Orcas
These large dolphins (referred to as Killer Whales) can often be seen out hunting near the shores. The black and white coloring helps them to stand out.
~ Bottle nose dolphins
Bottle nose dolphins also spend a lot of time near the shores and almost seem to be playing with tourists at times.
Animal viewing may not be the reason you picked the Scottish Highlands as a destination, but it would be a shame if you didn’t take the time to see the wonderful wildlife they have to offer.
