Flight of the Osprey

Day 1 - Wednesday 3^rd July - Welcome to Edinburgh

Arrive in the architecturally stunning city of Edinburgh today and settle into your lovely accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to head out and explore the winding alleys and cobblestone streets. Full of history, the capital is very accessible by foot. Wander up the Royal Mile, visiting St Giles’ Cathedral (which has been a working church for over 900 years) and Edinburgh Castle, which offers sweeping views over the city. This evening, enjoy dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Roseate Hotel
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Thursday 4^th July - Exploring Edinburgh

After breakfast, meet your guide and head out for a day spent exploring the beautiful cobblestone streets of the city. Full of history, the capital is very accessible by foot. Walk in the footsteps of the past and learn about the architecture, but also the past residents of this ancient city.  Pick up a coffee and a pastry from one of the wee artisan shops, dipping into local galleries, cheesemongers and bookshops. If you fancy an afternoon with a twist, head to the Surgeons’ Hall Museums, which holds one of the largest collections of surgical pathology in the world. This evening enjoy dinner under the twinkling lights of the city. and

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Roseate Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Friday 5^th July - Bass Rock and Aberlady Bay

This morning, meet your guide and travel from Edinburgh to the coast. Here, sail out into the swell on a boat trip to Bass Rock. Enjoy the views as the rugged coastline unfurls beyond the bow, keeping an eye out for curious seals, dolphins and an eclectic mix of seabirds. Sail around Bass Rock – home to the world’s largest colony of Northern gannets. Back on dry land, visit the Scottish Seabird Centre, a marine conservation and education charity with an award-winning visitor centre tucked in the salt-stung town of North Berwick. Afterwards, head out for a walk on Aberlady Bay, a local nature reserve and renowned bird-watching venue. Return to your relaxed hotel this evening and enjoy dinner.

Overnight: Muirfield | Greywalls Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Saturday 6^th July - Isle of May and Tantallon Castle

Embark on an adventure out to the Isle of May this morning. A National Nature Reserve, the island is home to a large puffin colony, grey seals, razorbills, shags, eider ducks and many other seabirds. Upon arrival, listen to a short talk given by the Nature Scot warden before striking out with your guide to explore. Wander carefully through the nesting terns, enjoying the fabulous scenery and hearing about the isle’s fascinating history. Back on the mainland, visit Tantallon Castle – an imposing fortress perched dramatically atop cliffs overlooking the dark North Sea. Admire the mighty curtain wall, the best example of castle architecture from the 1300s anywhere in Scotland, before returning to your hotel to relax.

Overnight: Muirfield | Greywalls Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Sunday 7^th July - Arrive in the Cairngorms, Join your Photography Trip

This morning, together with your guide you will travel to the Cairngorms National Park. On the way, you will stop for a walk on a Highland estate looking out for grouse and ptarmigan. Arriving at a secluded mountain bothy you’ll enjoy a luxury wild picnic and views over the rolling hills and purple moors. Later, your guide will drop you off at your hotel in time for your photography trip briefing.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Monday 8^th July - Photography Trip

Day 7 - Tuesday 9^th July - Photography Trip

Day 8 - Wednesday 10^th July - Photography Trip

Day 9 - Thursday 11^th July - Travel to Oban and explore Glencoe

After your photography trip finishes, meet your Wilderness guide and wind your way west to Oban. Today’s drive is beautiful as you traverse the northern reaches of the Cairngorms National Park, ribboning your way towards Fort William and along the shores of Loch Linnhe. We’ll stop at Glencoe visitor centre for lunch and to learn about one of Scotland’s most famous glens, it’s tragic history only eclipsed by it’s wild beauty. Later, arrive in Oban, a town on the west coast surrounded by rolling fields, craggy cliffs and sandy shores. Settle into your hotel this evening, which offers far-reaching views across the water and delicious seasonal food.

Overnight: Oban | Oban Bay Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 10 - Friday 12^th July - The Isle of Mull and Visit Iona

After breakfast, catch the small white ferry from Oban across the sun-dappled water to the Isle of Mull. Once ashore, ribbon your way to the southern westerly tip of Mull and take a short ferry to explore Iona – also known as the ‘Holy Isle.’ Although only a mile and a half wide and three miles long, this tiny island brims with history. Accompanied by your guide, visit Iona Abbey (founded in 563) and the Nunnery – one of the best-preserved medieval nunneries in the UK. A short scenic walk will take you to the island’s highest point for fantastic views across the water to the Treshnish Isles, Tiree, Coll, and on a really clear day, Rhum, Eigg and Skye. This evening, settle into your charming island accommodation and relax.

Overnight: Isle of Mull | Pennygate Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Saturday 13^th July - Fingal's Cave and the Treshnish Isles

Today, embark on a boat trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles. Glide through the waves, soaking in the noise, sight and smell of the sea, as well as spotting coastal birds. Far-flung and remote, this is sure to be a very memorable day. Discover the unique geological formations of Staffa, including the iconic Fingal’s Cave, and wander amidst the rugged beauty of the Treshnish Isles. These islands are famous for it’s puffins, and you can take time to sit and watch them pop in and out of their burrows from just feet away. Back on Mull this evening, perhaps enjoy a drink before dinner, allowing the soothing sounds of the sea to be your soundtrack to another relaxed evening.

Overnight: Isle of Mull | Pennygate Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Sunday 14^th July - Leave Mull and Travel to England

Leave Mull today and travel with your guide to Glasgow. From here, catch a train to Chester. Founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st century A.D you can spend the late afternoon exploring the Roman walls.

Overnight: Chester | Chester Grosvenor
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Monday 15^th July - Discover Wales

Pick your hire car up in Chester and head into Wales. Along the way, enjoy a visit to the striking medieval fortress of Conwy Castle, which still towers over the town after 700 years. Make your way up the restored spiral staircase and take in the views of Eryri’s craggy mountains. Offering the most complete set of residential rooms inhabited by the medieval monarchy anywhere in England or Wales, a visit to the Castle is a fascinating and engaging experience. Afterwards, continue to your charming accommodation this evening and relax.

Overnight: Penmaenpool | Penmaenuchaf
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 14 - Tuesday 16^th July - Visit the Osprey Centers

Spend the day visiting the Osprey Centers and meeting with your local contacts

Overnight: Penmaenpool | Penmaenuchaf
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 15 - Wednesday 17^th July - Visit the Osprey Centers

Spend the day visiting the Osprey Centers and meeting with your local contacts

Overnight: Penmaenpool | Penmaenuchaf

Day 16 - Thursday 18^th July - Visit the Osprey Centers

Spend the day visiting the Osprey Centers and meeting with your local contacts

Overnight: Penmaenpool | Penmaenuchaf
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17 - Friday 19^th July - Visit the Osprey Centers

Spend the day visiting the Osprey Centers and meeting with your local contacts before driving to Manchester this afternoon. Drop off your hire car and settle into your hotel near the airport for your final night ahead departure tomorrow.

Overnight: Manchester Airport | Radisson Blu Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 18 - Saturday 20^th July - Depart

After a relaxed breakfast, head to Manchester Airport and depart for home.

Meals Included: Breakfast