Wildlife in Lochaber – Discover the Wild Side of the Scottish Highlands

With mountains, ancient woodland, deep freshwater lochs, rushing rivers and a spectacular Atlantic coastline, Lochaber is one of Scotland’s great wildlife destinations.

Stretching from the mountains around Ben Nevis and Glen Coe to Ardnamurchan, Moidart, Knoydart and the Small Isles, the area contains an extraordinary variety of habitats. Heather moorland, Atlantic oakwoods, Caledonian pine forest, blanket bog, mountain tops, sea lochs and rocky shores all sit remarkably close together. This diversity supports an equally impressive range of wildlife. (wildlochaber.com)

You don't necessarily need to set out on a wildlife safari either. Keep your eyes open while walking, driving or simply sitting quietly and you never know what might appear.

Red Deer – Icons of the Highlands

Few animals are more closely associated with the Scottish Highlands than the red deer.

They can be seen throughout Lochaber, particularly on the open hills and moorland. At quieter times of day you may see them grazing on hillsides or crossing open ground, sometimes surprisingly close to roads.

Autumn is particularly atmospheric. From late September into October the annual red deer rut takes place, when mature stags compete for females and their deep roars can carry for considerable distances across the glens. (wildwest.scot)

Early morning and evening are generally the best times to look for deer, although in Lochaber it is perfectly possible to encounter them at almost any time of day. You can hear the stags calling out during the rutting season from Camden House.

Golden Eagles

Look upwards while exploring the mountains of Lochaber and that apparently distant bird circling over a ridge may turn out to be a golden eagle.

Lochaber's mountains and moorlands provide habitat for golden eagles along with peregrine falcons, merlins and hen harriers. (wildlochaber.com)

Golden eagles spend surprisingly long periods soaring, using rising air currents to travel with very little apparent effort. Their enormous wings and relatively slow, powerful flight can help distinguish them from other birds of prey.

A pair of binoculars is well worth packing for a Lochaber holiday – particularly when exploring places such as Glen Nevis, Glen Spean and the more remote western peninsulas.

White-Tailed Eagles

Lochaber is also within the range of Britain's largest bird of prey, the magnificent white-tailed or sea eagle.

These huge birds are increasingly seen around Scotland's west coast and islands. With exceptionally broad wings, they are sometimes described as looking rather like a flying barn door.

Both golden and white-tailed eagles can be encountered on Scotland's west coast, particularly around remote sea lochs and islands. (VisitScotland)

Pine Martens

One of Lochaber's most charismatic residents is also one of its most secretive.

The pine marten is a beautiful woodland mammal with dark brown fur and a distinctive creamy-yellow throat. Lochaber's native woodlands provide excellent habitat for them, and pine martens are recorded across the region. (wildlochaber.com)

They are mainly active around dusk, during the night and in the early morning, so spotting one is always a special experience.

If you are fortunate enough to see a pine marten, watch quietly from a distance rather than approaching it.

Red Squirrels

Another woodland favourite is the red squirrel.

Although much less widespread in Britain than they once were, red squirrels can still be found in parts of Lochaber's woodland, particularly where suitable coniferous forest remains. (wildlochaber.com)

Look out for flashes of russet fur moving between the trees – or listen for something dropping from the branches above.

Autumn can be a particularly good time to see them as they become busy gathering and storing food.

Otters

Lochaber's combination of rivers, freshwater lochs and extensive coastline makes it excellent otter country.

Otters live around both freshwater and coastal environments, and the quiet rocky shores of the West Highlands can provide some wonderful opportunities to see them. (wildlochaber.com)

Patience is important.

Rather than walking continuously along the shore, find somewhere with a good view and sit quietly for a while. Look for a head appearing briefly above the water or a long, low body swimming close to the shore.

Early morning can be particularly rewarding.

Seals, Dolphins and Porpoises

Head towards the coast and an entirely different wildlife world opens up.

Both common and grey seals occur around the west coast, and they can often be spotted resting on rocks or appearing inquisitively beside boats.

The waters around Lochaber and the neighbouring islands are also visited by several species of dolphin and whale, including common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and minke whales. Basking sharks can also occur in western Scottish waters during the warmer months. (wildlochaber.com)

A wildlife boat trip from the west coast can therefore be one of the highlights of a Highland holiday.

Nothing is guaranteed – which is precisely what makes seeing something so exciting.

Birds Everywhere

Even if you never see an eagle, Lochaber is superb for birdlife.

Depending on the habitat and season you might encounter:

• Ptarmigan high in the mountains

• Black grouse

• Ospreys

• Peregrine falcons

• Ravens

• Golden plovers

• Ring ouzels

• Stonechats and wheatears

• Divers on the lochs

• Puffins, guillemots, razorbills and Manx shearwaters around the coast and islands. (wildlochaber.com)

Even a short woodland walk can reveal an impressive variety of species if you slow down and listen.

You can watch garden birds from the comfort of Camden House. We provide bird food for you to refill the feeders and enjoy many different species.

Don't Forget the Smaller Wildlife

Some of Lochaber's most interesting wildlife is easy to overlook.

The area's wet climate has created extraordinary Atlantic woodlands rich in mosses, liverworts, lichens and ferns, while its uplands contain unusual Arctic and alpine plants. (Google Sites)

Butterflies include the chequered skipper, pearl-bordered fritillary and mountain ringlet, while reptiles found in the region include adders, common lizards and slow worms. (wildlochaber.com)

So sometimes it's worth looking down rather than up.

Where to Look for Wildlife in Lochaber

You don't have to travel far. Some of the best wildlife encounters happen simply by exploring slowly and quietly.

Glen Nevis combines spectacular mountain scenery with woodland, rivers and open hillside beneath Ben Nevis. (Lochaber Geopark)

Glen Spean and Glen Roy offer vast open landscapes where deer and birds of prey can be seen.

Travel west towards Glenfinnan, Moidart and Ardnamurchan and the landscape becomes increasingly wild, with ancient woodland, sea lochs and remote coastline.

Continue towards Mallaig, Arisaig and the Small Isles and there are opportunities to see seabirds, seals, otters, dolphins and occasionally whales or basking sharks.

And sometimes the best wildlife watching requires no destination whatsoever – just a quiet woodland path, a hillside and enough time to stop and look.

Wildlife Watching – A Few Simple Tips

Wild animals are best enjoyed without disturbing them.

Bring binoculars if you have them, keep dogs under close control around wildlife and livestock, avoid approaching animals for photographs and never interfere with nests or young animals.

Most importantly, give yourself time.

Walk slowly. Stop occasionally. Listen.

Many visitors hurry through the Highlands looking for the next viewpoint, but sit quietly beside a loch or woodland for twenty minutes and the landscape can suddenly come alive.

Experience Wild Lochaber

Part of the magic of Lochaber is that wildlife is not confined to reserves or wildlife parks.

It's all around you.

A deer may appear beside a quiet road or in our garden. An eagle may circle above the mountains. A pine marten might cross a woodland path at dusk, while an otter could surface unexpectedly beside a sea loch or even walk across the Camden House decking area.

There are no guarantees – and that's exactly how wild places should be.

So pack your walking boots, bring the binoculars and keep your eyes open. In Lochaber, your next wildlife encounter could be just around the corner.