Thursday, 13 July 2017
The Summer Safari
Summer is a special season at Highland Safaris. We love the
atmosphere summer brings with happy people gathering in our grounds to go on
Safari, enjoy lunch in the sun or to visit our Red Deer Centre; there is a real
buzz!
But what is the best way to experience summer in Highland Perthshire?
We have selected 3 exceptional experiences for you, so no matter what you are
after –
stunning scenery, relaxing on
holiday or a bit of adrenaline – you will
not be disappointed!
The Sundowner Safari
Our flagship seasonal safari will leave you speechless..
Nothing can prepare you for the beauty, peace and
tranquillity of our hills and glens on our Highland Perthshire Estates at dusk;
the fading light offering amazing photo opportunities. Seeing the evening light
from a remote spot 3000' up is the highlight of our very special Sundowner
Safari. In the company of an experienced Safari Ranger, this mountain
environment offers a chance to witness amazing highland wildlife.
The serenity and sheer magnificence of this vista will
become an everlasting memory.
Loch Tay Safaris
This year we launched Loch Tay Safaris, a unique and
exceptional cruise on Loch Tay that combines the history and heritage of the
area with the natural beauty of Highland Perthshire.
Our brand new boat, Iolaire,
is a great way to see Perthshire from another perspective, our live commentary
will thrill you as you pass by ancient settlements, forested shores and some of
the largest mountains in the UK. Iolaire is
a fast and comfortable cabin RIB making her warm and dry to travel in no matter
what the weather brings!
Biking at Highland
Safaris
Highland Perthshire has exceptional cycling to offer, with
routes to suite everybody’s ability. It is a fantastic way to get around the
countryside and you can often end up in special places that nobody else goes,
making relaxation and connecting to nature effortless!
For those of you who would like the rush of adrenaline on
your holidays we also have our Biketrax skills loop which is perfect for all
ages. You can also take out one of our excellent hire bikes and explore the
local area at your leisure. For the more adventurous biker you can go on one of
our Biking Safaris - get transported to the high tops in one of our landrovers
and get “dropped at the top”!
Friday, 28 April 2017
Spring Watch - The Dawn Patrol Safari
Spring suddenly feels like it has sprung here in Highland
Perthshire. The trees are turning lush green, the Red Squirrels are darting
about and the skies are beginning to fill with Swallows.
Every Safari up the mountains seems to reveal something new,
a couple of weeks ago the stags cast their antlers, the week after that purple
saxifrage broke through the tundra and last week we were amazed by meadows
awash with bluebells. Spring really is a time for freshness and new things and
we at Highland Safaris love sharing these amazing discoveries with everybody
who comes and visits us.
The best way to experience Spring in all its glory is out on
one of our amazing Dawn Patrol Safaris. An early departure in a Land Rover ensures you
witness the magic and drama of a Dawn Chorus, catching Highland Perthshire’s nature as it
wakes up and comes to life for the day. Soak up the beautiful vistas offered up by the
mountains and relax as your Safari Ranger guides you on this unforgettable experience.
After your Safari what better way to round off the morning than a
fresh homemade breakfast and coffee back at Highland Safaris? Unwind in our
warm and cosy cafe and regale us with stories of you early morning adventure.
We look forwards to seeing you soon!
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
What do pine martens look like?
By
Donald Riddell, Director, Highland Safaris
In
response to several requests for information about pine martens, here is our
expert opinion on the agile, tree-climbing mammal that is once again becoming
more widespread in Scotland.
What do pine martens look like?
Belonging
to the mustelid family, which includes mink, otter, badger, wolverine and
weasel, the European pine marten (Martes martes) is native to northern Europe.
With plush, silky fur – which grows longer and silkier during the winter months
- ranging in colour from light to chocolate brown, they sport a creamy yellow throat
‘bib’. Their small, rounded ears are highly sensitive and they are the only
member of the weasel family to have semi-retractable claws, which enable them
to climb and cling to tree branches. The male is slightly larger than the
female, on average weighing around 1.5kg (the equivalent of three bags of
sugar) to 2kg. A pine marten’s body is around 50cm long, with a bushy tail
stretching a further 25cm. An adult pine marten can be bigger than most
domestic cats.
Where to look for pine martens
As
a result of widespread decline in the 19th century – due to the
clearance of native woodlands, trapping for fur, and gamekeepers controlling numbers
– by 1915 pine martens existed only in remote pockets in the north-west
Highlands. However, they have since
spread into Sutherland and Caithness, and can also be found in Moray,
Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, Tayside and Stirlingshire, as well as the Kintyre
and Cowal peninsulas. They are occasionally spotted on Highland Safaris land,
although more often than not we find their droppings, which are quite
distinctive and often have berries in them.
When and what to look for
You
can see pine martens year round, but as with much wildlife, you are more likely
to see signs of a pine marten than the animal itself. They are crepuscular
creatures, which means they are mainly active at dusk and night. Naturally shy,
the pine marten tends to be scattered in small numbers, making them tricky to spot.
Territorial animals – with territories of 5-15 square kilometres for females
and as much as double that for males - they mark their ground by leaving
droppings in particular locations.
What habitat do pine martens prefer?
The
elusive pine marten prefers native woodlands with plenty of cover, although it
can also survive in conifer plantations and on rocky hillsides. They feed on small rodents, birds,
eggs, insects and fruit, and can be
problematic for red squirrels as they are particularly agile in trees and much
more ferocious. They can also be a problem for any farmer with hen houses.
During
the mating season, pine martens make shrill, cat-like
calls. In the spring, they have litters of 3-5 young, which are ready to go it alone by the time summer comes round and can live up to ten years.
Although they are occasionally preyed upon by golden
eagles and foxes, humans are the greatest threat to pine martens. In the UK,
pine martens and their dens are offered full protection under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act (1981) and the Environmental Protection Act.
Tuesday, 28 February 2017
Secret Pancake Recipe
Yvonne’s Secret Pancake Recipe
Yvonne in the Highland Safaris Café is a legend in the area
for her delicious Scotch Pancakes. Today is her day in the limelight, where
folks from all over Perthshire come to satisfy their sweet tooth with a pot of
hot tea or an expertly brewed Glen Lyon coffee. Yvonne has agreed to share her
recipe with us…
Makes Six Pancakes
200g plain flour
1 tbsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon * Secret ingredient*
1 large egg
300 ml milk
Method
Add dry ingredients to mixing bowl
Beat egg and milk into the mixture
Heat frying pan to medium and add oil
Add a ladleful of batter to the pan and wait till the
mixture begins to bubble then turn till golden on both sides
Highland Safaris Kilted Rangers Top Toppings
Donald: Lemon and sugar
Ross: Nutella, ice cream and banana
Andy: Strawberries and whipped cream with dark chocolate
shavings
Colin: Maple syrup and crispy bacon
Tony: Butter and raspberry jam
Monday, 13 February 2017
The Perfect Place to Propose…
It’s the moment that you have dreamed of, playing ideas out in your head since the day you decided it was forever. You’ve picked the ring and you know what you want to say – but have you found the perfect location to ask the biggest question of your life?
Make that magical moment even more memorable by popping the question in the breathtaking surroundings of Highland Safaris.
Based in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, and set amongst thousands of acres of sprawling Scottish Highlands, you and your loved one will feel like the only two people in the world at Highland Safaris. Experience a private tour, enchanting sunsets, the perfect backdrop to the biggest moment of your lives to date, or just take in the captivating natural scenery surrounding you both. And whether you choose the cosy and romantic Hilltop Bothy, hidden away off the beaten track and only reached by Land Rover, or out in the heart of the rugged landscape, it will be a moment neither of you ever forget.
However you choose to pop the question this Valentine’s Day, Highland Safaris has a location that will capture your partner’s heart. It is also home to unique marquee and bothy locations for the big day itself, so you can revisit the place you created some of your most precious memories for years to come.
Thursday, 2 February 2017
The red fox - top tips to spot wild foxes in Scotland
By Donald Riddell, Director, Highland Safaris
Now that we are into February the days are getting noticeably longer and lighter, which offers more opportunity to spend in the great Scottish outdoors. Wildlife watching is always hugely popular with visitors to Highland Safaris, whether they are out on bikes, on a Land Rover trip or simply walking one of our many trails. And one of the most popular creatures to look out for is the red fox, so here are our wildlife rangers’ expert tips on the wily red.
I want to see a red fox, but where do I start?
The red fox (whose scientific name is Vulpes vulpes) is the UK’s only wild member of the dog family. Hardy and resourceful, it has a reputation for intelligence and cunning. Slightly smaller than a medium-sized domestic dog, the adult measures around 75cm from head to tail and weighs around 5kg (it stands about knee-height to a 6ft-tall man). You may catch a glimpse of an orange-red creature, so check to see if it has a flattened skull, upright triangular ears with black tips, a pointed snout and a long, bushy tail, which is known as a brush. When on the trail of the fox look out for droppings, which are often grey-tinged with small mammal bones in them, on tracks. And if you spot tracks in the snow, check to see if they are in a straight line as foxes put each paw into the same track.
When is the best time to see red foxes?
Foxes are out and about all year, and can be active by day. Red foxes mate during winter, with vixens making noisy, yipping calls at night to attract a mate. A pair will stay together to act as parents to newborn ‘kits’ or ‘cubs’, which are born blind and resemble a puppy, with a short nose and ears, and brown fur. The young stay in the den for several weeks and after three months are left to fend for themselves.
Where are the best places to look for red foxes?
Foxes are able to survive in diverse habitats ranging from forests and grasslands to mountains, but also adapt well to human environments, such as farms and suburban settings. They can be spotted anywhere from the shores of lowland lochs, to woodlands and mountains.
How long do foxes live?
Wild foxes can live around 7-10 years, while in captivity that can extend to around 15 years, similar to pet dogs.
What do foxes eat?
Perhaps surprisingly, foxes are omnivorous, enjoying everything from small mammals, rodents, birds and carrion, to berries and fruit. Urban-dwelling foxes will scavenge food from bins. Excellent hunters, they are extremely quick off the mark, and can turn and jump with ease.
If you do happen to spot a red fox, remember to let us know with the hashtag #fantasticmrfox. And if you are lucky enough to get a picture, please share it on any of our social media channels via #HighlandSafaris
Friday, 27 January 2017
National Chocolate Cake Day by Julie Riddell
The café at Highland Safaris is loved by visitors who enjoy the warm, welcoming environment after their time out in the fresh Highland air. Whether they are after a hearty breakfast, a filling lunch or just an expertly made coffee our café is a hit, the world over.
One of the big draws of our café has to be the cakes and while I don’t have a lot of time to bake I do like to indulge now and again with a slice of the Cake of the Day and a coffee. When I do get the opportunity I have a go-to recipe which is nice and easy but delicious and perfect for family parties or get togethers. So, on National Chocolate Cake Day here is the Riddell Family Chocolate Cake Recipe.
Serves 8
Preparation 10 mins
Cooking 50 mins
Ingredients
The Cake:
175g (6oz) margarine or softened butter
175g (6oz) caster sugar
3 large eggs
150g (5oz) self-raising flour, sifted
50g (1¾oz) of cocoa, sifted
1tsp baking powder
1tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
The Icing:
100g (3½oz) of dark chocolate
100g (3½oz) of chopped butter
Method
Heat the oven to 180°C (gas mark 4). Lightly grease an 18cm (7in) round cake tin with a little extra butter or margarine and cut a piece of greaseproof paper or non-stick baking parchment to fit the base of the tin.
Put all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon or a hand-held mixer for 1 minute, or until just combined. It's important not to beat the batter too much - just long enough to make it smooth.
Pour or spoon the mixture into the tin, smooth the top and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for about 45-50 minutes. The cake is cooked when it looks well risen and golden; the top should spring back when lightly touched with a fingertip. Another test is to insert a skewer into the centre of the cake - it should come out clean.
Let the cake sit in the tin for 5 minutes, then gently run a knife around the edge and turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool.
For the icing, place the dark chocolate and chopped butter in a heatproof bowl and set over a saucepan of very hot water until melted. Cool for 15 minutes, then spread over the top of the cooled cake.
