Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs Tourist Board
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A Wildcat stalks his prey
 

Loch LomondNowhere else in Scotland so accurately fits the description of 'Where the Highlands meets the Lowlands'. The spectacular natural features and the wonderful wildlife which inhabits this area are just waiting to be explored and experienced.

The Highland Boundary Fault cuts a swathe across Scotland and this can be seen quite clearly in the contrasting landscapes to either side, with the west of the line distinctly more mountainous than that to the East. From towering, often mist-shrouded peaks, to low-lying Hebridean Islands with deserted white sand beaches, Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and the Trossachs has it all. Wild creatures cannot exist without wild and wonderful habitats. With a rich and diverse natural environment, where better to experience and enjoy Scottish wildlife!

It’s a bird watcher’s paradise! Deep forests are home to the colourful, parrot-like Scottish crossbill, and you can encounter both the tiny crested tit and the huge and turkey-like Capercaillie in the same area. Also found here are every species of British owl, including the short eared owl which only hunts during the day and perches in the open, often near newly planted conifer plantations.

A Capercaillie struts its stuff
An almost endless list of birds of prey - osprey, hen harrier, goshawk, sparrowhawk, buzzard, kestrel, merlin, peregrine falcon, rough legged buzzard, honey buzzard and red kite - means there’s an excellent chance of witnessing some of these beautiful hunting birds in action. This is one of the best places in the world to see the mighty golden eagle, as well as the even bigger and rarer white tailed sea eagle, which has also made a dramatic return to its former haunts in the Hebrides.

Vast sea lochs, hundreds of miles of sea cliffs and thousands of islands and islets are home to puffins and vast numbers of seabirds. The elusive and mythical corncrake can be heard and sometimes seen on low lying west coast islands. All three members of the diver or loon family breed here showing their fabulous summer breeding plumage.

Red Deer Stag with his magnificent camouflage

Look out for Scotland’s “Monarch of the Glen” – the majestic red deer, Britain’s largest land mammal. Keep an eye open also for the pine marten and Scottish wildcat. Anytime of year will produce terrific opportunities to see and perhaps photograph these magnificent animals.

Spectacular sunsets and an ocean that seems to go on forever is home to seals, otters, basking sharks and numerous species of whales and dolphins.

The area is just as interesting in the autumn and winter with mountain hares, ptarmigan and stoatsDolphins in their beautiful white winter plumage. Golden eagles, sea eagles, and literally thousands of wild geese are resident during the winter months as are millions of smaller birds migrating to winter here from the harsher weather in the arctic, such as the snow bunting, waxwing, brambling, redwing and fieldfare. The estuaries and shorelines also attract huge numbers of waders and wild fowl.

 

 

 


Dolphins A Badger Sea Eagle A Puffin