FOR THE BIRDS

A visit to the Scottish Highlands offers one of the best bird- and wildlife-watching experiences in the UK, with the promise of rare encounters with unique species.

- Stephen Moss, IMAN MOHAMMED

An adult crested tit perched in a Scots pine in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

The Scottish Highlands — especially the Cairngorms National Park and Spey Valley — has a reputation as one of the best places to go birdwatching in the UK. This stunning national park is home to species that are either rare or completely absent elsewhere in the UK, including the majestic golden eagle, elusive capercaillie, tiny crested tit and three high mountain specialists: ptarmigan, dotterel and snow bunting. These birds aren’t always easy to see: you’ll have to trudge up mountains, walk along wooded river valleys and search through pine forests to find them — all while enjoying some of the most spectacular landscape in the country. Together with wonderful views, excellent accommodation, great places to eat and drink, and the famous malt whisky, the Highlands are a very enticing package to newcomers as well as experienced birdwatchers. So pack your walking boots and waterproofs, grab your binoculars and get twitching.

The mountains

The Cairngorm Plateau is the only ‘arctic-alpine’ habitat in the British Isles, which means several species that specialise in living at high altitude breed there.

Only one is so well adapted that it can survive on the high tops of the mountains all year round: the ptarmigan, whose name derives from the Scots Gaelic word for its distinctive croaking call, which echoes around the spectacular scenery. Actually seeing this bird can be tricky though, since ptarmigan are masters of camouflage, moulting into three distinct plumages in a single year (including almost pure white in winter). But if you sit quietly and carefully scan the rocky slopes, you’ll eventually see them.