Tuesday, 13 November 2018
The Magic of Winter in Highland Perthshire
We love our amazing Highland Perthshire environment all year round! Here, amongst the forests, lochs and mountains, the changing seasons are so visible.
This time of year though, as Christmas approaches, there are many special opportunities to take advantage of – let us share with you here five magical things to do in Winter!
1) Enjoy one of our superb WinterWatch Safaris where you can travel in comfort and safety in one of our 4X4’s to a sub arctic world, seeking out the arctic hare, the Golden Eagle and the elusive Red Deer. Marvel at the sparkling mountain vistas as you enjoy a reviving Dram in one of our cosy Mountain Bothies!
2) Visit Dewars World of Whisky nearby, one of the most popular Distilleries in the area, and a consistent winner of Best Visitor Attraction Awards! Learn more about how the Water of Life is made!
3) The newly opened Grandtully Hotel in the hamlet of Grandtully just outside Aberfeldy is attracting acclaim, and is well worth a visit. Run by the team behind Ballintaggart Farm, it’s a showcase for locally sourced produce.
4) If you’re feeling energetic in the crisp air, or perhaps to walk off a big breakfast, why not walk the legendary Birks of Aberfeldy, immortalised by Robert Burns in one of his most famous poems!
5) And finally come and meet our Red Deer, Britain’s largest land mammal, and a truly beautiful creature to get up close and personal with. In our Red Deer Centre, you can feed, photograph and stroke them, learning more about their fascinating life cycle. Top it all off with a warming Hot Chocolate by our roaring peat fire! #cooriein
To purchase a Highland Safaris gift voucher, an ideal festive gift, click here
To book a Winterwatch Safari, click here
To book the Red Deer Centre at Highland Safaris click here
Thursday, 2 August 2018
A Safari Into The Blooming Heather
Watching the hills turn from shades of green and brown to a
rich, vivid purple is one of the great joys of the Highland summer. The heather
blooms for a few weeks from July into August, and the wild hill landscape comes
into its own.
Guests on our hilltop Safaris at this time of year have a
unique experience. The hill hums from dawn to dusk with honey bees hard at
work, making the most of their short season. We are very fortunate to be at the
heart of Perthshire, one of Scotland’s premier areas for pure heather honey
production. We have recently learned that most honeys such as Manuka are often
a mixed bag of various plants, but that Heather Honey is pure, and we can
certainly testify that its wonderful strength and aroma is the essence of the
Scottish Moors.
These images, captured by our award winning Safari Ranger George McDonald, show the heather at its peak, and a rare find of white heather that a keeper or walker would traditionally stick in his cap for luck.
George and his fellow award-winning Safari Rangers are
celebrated for their knowledge and comprehensive commentary on the seasonal
wildlife and landscape features of the hills, as well as relating the history,
heritage, geology and geography of the area. The spectacular views over
Strathappin change weekly, and the precious weeks of blooming heather are an
annual favourite among Rangers and guests.
Book a 5 star Land Rover Hilltop Safari with options for guided walks, photography and gourmet picnics - or give one as a Gift
Monday, 19 March 2018
Visit The Highland Safari This Year With MyHotelBreak
At myhotelbreak, we have decades of knowledge in giving our customers the perfect hotel experience. Whether that’s for a night away or for a city break, we have the experts on hand to give you the best possible advice and opportunities. With that said, a fantastic getaway is more memorable with must see attractions nearby.
One of the must see attractions is the Highland Safaris in the North of Scotland. The Highland Safaris is a five star, multi award winning visitor attraction and an exceptional destination. With 25 years of experience the safari tours access the natural beauty of Scotland on private land reaching heights of nearly 3000 feet in the company of knowledgeable kilted Safari Rangers. Marvel at the scenery in a land steeped in history exploring one of Europe’s last wildernesses.
The Highland Safari offers individuals, families and groups a unique and authentic experience adding a taste of the wilderness on these small personalised Safaris. As winners of the ‘Best Visitor Experience’ in Scotland Highland Safaris combines the new Red Deer Centre with the exhilarating land rover safaris, inspiring walking and biking activities and Perthshire’s only Gold and Gem Panning Centre.
We encourage you discover the Highlands of Perthshire through an invigorating walk where you can discover what the area is all about and the natural beauty in which it beholds. Learn about geology and the history of the area and no doubt you’ll discover some of the Red Deer in the wilderness as well.
Relax and enjoy the Highland Safaris CafĂ© and Shop set in a unique and stunning location. In 2017, they launched Loch Tay Safaris - taking their expertise on to the beautiful waters of Loch Tay, Perthshire’s largest most beautiful and mystical loch. Highland Safaris is open all year round.
Whether you’re staying at The Moness Resort or elsewhere in the area make sure you take a day at the Highland Safaris for an unbelievable experience for all the family.
Thursday, 25 January 2018
A Winter's Tale
A Winter's Tale
January has given us everything we love about a Highland Winter. For 2 weeks the Dawn chorus was framed by crystal clear skies and the rolling Perthshire Mountains were standing proud in all their snow laden beauty.
In these conditions our Safaris are exceptional.
Our Kilted Safari Rangers are all highly trained to cope with the winter conditions and teamed up with a Land rover they can traverse the mountainous terrain so you can see for yourself the magic that winter brings to the wild lands surrounding Highland Safaris. Of course the adventure would not be complete without relaxing in one of our Mountain Bothies. Stepping into these havens of warmth and comfort, you will be transported to another time where people lived in the most remote reaches of Scotland. Our Rangers will regale you with tales of the area whilst you enjoy a warm cup of tea, a slice of shortbread and a wee dram of local Dewars Whisky, the perfect winter warmer!Of course, you don't have to travel in a Landrover to see the delights of Highland Perthsire. Highland Safaris is nestled within the heart of this glorious land and we are always delighted to welcome visitors into our cafe and shop. Venture out to the Red Deer Centre and feed our herd of majestic Red Deer, walk round the discovery trail to take in the views or simply nestle next to our peat fire and indulge in our home baked cakes.
For all the information you need you can visit our website - www.highlandsafaris.net or get in contact by sending an email to info@highlandsafaris.net or calling 0187 820071.
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
