Scottish Island choice May/June 2020

[davholla]

I am thinking about going to a Scottish Island(s) next year for seabirds and other wildlife and my choice is between :-

1) Shetland Isles because of Skuas, Otter and Red Phalarope

2) Orkney because of the greater number of Birds of Prey

3) Lewis and Uist because of white tailed sea eagles.


Any recommendations? Which might be cheaper? From London what is the best way to go? Also would I need to hire a car?

Sorry for a broad question but I am not sure what is best.

 

[tirediron]

Can't comment on the specifics of travel, and not familiar with Lewis/Uist, but the Orkneys are spectacularly beautiful in a desolate, wind-swept way. They'd definitely be my choice.

 

[davholla]

Can't comment on the specifics of travel, and not familiar with Lewis/Uist, but the Orkneys are spectacularly beautiful in a desolate, wind-swept way. They'd definitely be my choice.

Aren't they are beautiful? Or maybe not - the more I read the more I get confused.

 

[Braineack]

extend the trip, go to all three, tell us which one was best!

 

[davholla]

extend the trip, go to all three, tell us which one was best!

Sadly money and time stop that.

 

[weepete]

You'll have a better chance of sea eagles on Mull, there's quite a few there and there's a guy that does boat trips to see and photograph them. It does attract a lot of photograhers though. Try Loch Visions based out of Kilmartin if you fancy a workshop while you are there, he'll be able to put you on the wildlife at reasonable rates.

It really depends what you want to do. Shetland is great, lots of big seascapes archways and stacks. Tons of other islands you can visit off the mainland on day trips.

Orkney has a lot of history, there's the Churchill Barriers, the wreck of the Junta in the Bay of Heatherquoy, ring of Brodgar, Stones of Steness, Skarra Brae, the Scapa Flow museum on Hoy, Old man of Hoy. Between the WW2 stuff and the viking history there is a lot to see and places to go.

The Uists are nice but a bit flat, good beaches if you can travel.

Lewis is very flat but Harris is really stunning and if you get the weather there's few places I'd rather be.

One trip we did was to get the ferry to Barra (worth a visit) then ferry to Eriskay and drive up through the Uists and ferry back to Uig on Skye. That's a really good route if you like landscapes.

For birds, I'd be more tempted to go to Mull, get shots of the sea eagles then get a boat out to the small isles of Canna, Eigg and Rum for the sea birds. Not seen a huge amount of birds on other islands, but seen a lot on Mull. If you are driving up then Ardgaty Red Kites at Doune, just above Stirling worth a stop but best phone and book so you can get there at feeding time.

 

[davholla]

For birds, I'd be more tempted to go to Mull, get shots of the sea eagles then get a boat out to the small isles of Canna, Eigg and Rum for the sea birds. Not seen a huge amount of birds on other islands, but seen a lot on Mull. If you are driving up then Ardgaty Red Kites at Doune, just above Stirling worth a stop but best phone and book so you can get there at feeding time.

Would you get Skuas on those islands? Whether to drive or not is a good question.

 

[weepete]

Would you get Skuas on those islands? Whether to drive or not is a good question.

Possibly, I've not seen them but plenty of kittywakes, rasorbills, puffins, manx shearwaters, cormorants, shags nesting on the cliffs of Canna. From what I can tell skuas are mostly summer/autumn migration birds. A trip to St Kilda may be worth considering. Northlight Cruises do trips to different areas and seem to sight them reasonably regularly though it tends to be long trips and quite dear.

If you are determined just to see skuas, probably Shetland would be best, I think 90% of the skua population is Orkney or Shetland with slightly more on Shetland.

Where to watch birds in Shetland

 

[davholla]

Would you get Skuas on those islands? Whether to drive or not is a good question.

Possibly, I've not seen them but plenty of kittywakes, rasorbills, puffins, manx shearwaters, cormorants, shags nesting on the cliffs of Canna. From what I can tell skuas are mostly summer/autumn migration birds. A trip to St Kilda may be worth considering. Northlight Cruises do trips to different areas and seem to sight them reasonably regularly though it tends to be long trips and quite dear.

If you are determined just to see skuas, probably Shetland would be best, I think 90% of the skua population is Orkney or Shetland with slightly more on Shetland.

Where to watch birds in Shetland

St Kilda is definitely something I might consider

 

[Jeff15]

I have never been to these places but it sounds like I am missing a great deal of wildlife, I have just added them all to my list.

 

[K9Kirk]

I can't speak from experience but if you don't mind where you get your info from here's what I would look toward if it were me looking for trip info.
TripAdvisor: Read Reviews, Compare Prices & Book

 

[Tim Tucker 2]

As far as travel times go from London, around a 14hrs hard drive to Uig and then 2hrs on the ferry to either Lochmaddy (North Uist) or Tarbert (South Harris). You will need a car on the islands but it is possible to fly to Stornaway, or Inverness and hire a car. North Uist is probably the best for birds, including the elusive Corncrake. There are trips to St Kilda but be aware that it is a further 40 miles out into the Atlantic and a day trip (boat and foot only) as I think you need a permit to stay overnight. Getting between Harris and North Uist is by ferry and quite easy and so possible to do both islands in one trip.

But I'm with @weepete and would suggest Mull for birds of prey. The Golden Eagles can be elusive, as they are everywhere, but there are a number of pairs of Sea Eagles and you will generally get to see them. Also otters are plenty if you know where and when to look. Oban is also only about 2 1/2hrs out of Glasgow or a 10-11hrs drive from London and then only 40mins on the ferry.

With both of these I would plan to go in late May which is the height of the summer season in Scotland so offers the longest days with the best weather and the fewest number of midges, (usually not a problem).

But I would also suggest that you book accommodation well in advance, around February. Even campsites as they are tending to be full.

As far as Shetland goes allow 2 days to get there by car as it is at least 10-11hrs hard drive to Aberdeen and 12 hrs on the ferry. I would check the prices, possibly £600+ for a car + passengers. It may well be cheaper to fly and hire a car when you get there, it's certainly a lot quicker and less tiring...

Orkney is around 15hrs drive and 1 1/2 hours on the ferry, again fly direct or to Inverness and hire a car.

 

[davholla]

But I would also suggest that you book accommodation well in advance, around February. Even campsites as they are tending to be full.

Even outside of the school holidays? I don't think driving that far is a good idea. I wonder if going on a tour could be an idea - although so far google has not been my friend.
Thank you all for your help.

 

[Tim Tucker 2]

Even outside of the school holidays?

You'll be surprised, it's beginning to get silly for May through to the end of August.

Though I have seen coaches at Luskentyre and other easily accessible spots on Lewis/Harris there are a lot of roads and places that are *unsuitable*. The islands are still quite remote and can be quite brutal in the winter months, they're not really geared up for *10min stops for selfies at all the usual places then a large hotel with three courses and a beer* coach tours. Though once on the islands you will find organised walks/minibus/boat tours to see the wildlife.