Wild and wonderful family fun with RSPB North Scotland
As you travel the iconic and spectacular NC500 route, take some time to venture slightly off route and explore some of Scotland’s wilder areas. RSPB has several reserves along the route of the NC500 that are teaming with wildlife and fun for all the family.
Pocket-friendly fun with nature
Connecting with nature and spending time outdoors is refreshing for the mind, fun and educational – win, win, win. We have so many wonderful species and landscapes in Scotland, and it is fascinating to discover what these are no matter your age. Pack a picnic and make a day of it with your friends and family by travelling to one of RSPB’s reserves – see how many different species you come across. At their reserves, you’ll find trails, seating areas, viewpoints, hides bursting with information, car parks and well maintained paths to suit everyone, from tiny tots to intrepid explorers. Get ready for an action-packed but pocket-friendly day with nature.
Nature Trails, image by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
Wildlife hunting at RSPB Loch Ruthven
Take your family on a wildlife hunt at this remote and tranquil loch which is surrounded by birch woodland. Journey along the pathway and work together, using your knowledge of tracks and signs, to identify nearby wildlife. Don’t forget to visit the hide and boatshed to find out more about what you might see.
Image by Martin Poyner (rspb-images.com)
Seabird spotting at RSPB Dunnet Head
Bird Watching by Rosemary Despres (rspb-images.com)
Not many people know it, but there is a puffin colony in Caithness!
During the spring and summer, the cliffs at RSPB Dunnet Head are a hive of activity. Puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes and guillemots are all busy building nests, courting and caring for their young. Wander the well-made, wheelchair accessible, path down to the view point where a solid wall separates you from the cliff edge –a great place to do some birdwatching with children. Make sure to check out the information boards along the way and take a pair of binoculars! You could pack a picnic and watch the seabirds come and go as you munch your lunch. You can also follow the path up behind the lighthouse towards the summit point, where you will have fantastic views over to Orkney on a clear day.
Take the train to RSPB Forsinard Flows
The train journey north from Inverness twists and winds through stunning Highland scenery. With mountains, lochs, rivers and coastal views, there is no way you will get bored on this journey. Better still, it stops directly outside their RSPB Forsinard Flows visitor centre! Once you arrive, you can explore the Dubh Lochain Trail – it is the best way for families to experience our this reserve and to learn more about what makes blanket bogs special. Follow the boardwalk up to the Flows Lookout and then venture off onto the flagstone discovery trail that snakes through the pool systems and see what wildlife you can find. Their recently refurbished visitor centre has interactive displays and games as well as three different videos to help introduce adults and children to this internationally important habitat. There are afternoon and evening trains that return back to Inverness once you are ready.
Forsinard Flows RSPB (rspb-images.com)
Birdwatching at RSPB Udale Bay and RSPB Nigg Bay
Pack a picnic along with your binoculars, find somewhere comfy to perch and enjoy watching wading birds, ducks and geese. The best time of year to do this, at both RSPB Udale Bay and RSPB Nigg Bay, is in the winter when thousands of birds start to arrive. Wrap up warm and bring a flask of hot tea to enjoy while watching the spectacle. If the weather isn’t great, you can still enjoy some bird watching from our hides. Use your eagle eyes and see what you can spot.
Bird Watching, image by Eleanor Bentall (rspb-images.com)
Bug safari at RSPB Fairy Glen
RSPB Fairy Glen and its magical broadleaf woodland mixed with waterfalls and glittering streams is a place where your imagination can run wild. If you are a creative at heart, why not take your sketch book. If you are looking to relax, you could take your favourite book and hide away in the company of nature for the afternoon. There will be all sorts of bugs and beasties hiding within this glen, making it a fantastic place to take your family on a Bug Safari. Search under logs and rocks, reach up to the leaves and search the trees, explore the grass and waterfalls to see what hides within – if you look closely, you’ll find bugs everywhere. Why not take a net and do some pond dipping (be careful not to disturb any wildlife though).
Exploring, image by Leila Balin (rspb-images.com)
Witness red kites feeding at Tollie Red Kites reserve
A spectacle not to be missed on your North Coast 500 journey. Take a break from your journey to stretch your legs and enjoy fresh air while you witness graceful red kites soar above you before diving down to feed. Volunteers feed the birds at this reserve, an ongoing partnership between RSPB Scotland and the Brahan Estate, every day from a specially-converted farmstead building. Feeding time is 2.30 pm in summer (BST) and 1.30 pm in winter (GMT).
Red Kite, image by Ben Hall (spb-images.com)
