Bushcraft Holidays

Set in an idyllic 100 acre woodland at the heart of the National Forest, Greenwood Days is the leading centre for traditional woodland crafts and offers a wide range of craft courses for all levels of experience, from pole lathe turning, long bow making, windsor chair making to hedge laying and more.

www.greenwooddays.co.uk


Find bushcraft courses, eco friendly holidays and wildlife watching safaris on www.wildandgreenescapes.co.uk

Nature In September

Countryside in Autumn

Wildlife in September / October

At this time of year look out for:

• Deer - it's the start of the autumn rut, so listen out for roaring deer and watch the rut unfold at various locations around the UK including Richmond Park, Surrey; Thetford Forest, Norfolk/Suffolk border; many places in Scotland including Galloway Forest Park and the islands of Rum and Mull off the west coast.
• Mammals - stoats, weasels
• Badgers - look out for organised badger watch events throughout the country, some top spots include the Forestry Commission's Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire and Slad Valley in Gloucestershire.
• Beavers - try to spot these amazing creatures at Knapdale Forest, Argyll in Scotland. You might be lucky and also spot wildcats and pine martens at Knapdale.

Birds in September
There's lots of outgoing and incoming bird activity this month, visit a headland or peninsular to just sit and watch the birds in the midst of migration:

• Some birds are heading off for warmer climes with their latest youngsters in tow - think swallows, house martins
• Other birds are arriving from places like Iceland and Scandinavia to spend the winter in the UK in, what is to them, less harsh conditions
• Birds are also using the UK as a stopping off place to take a break and refuel whilst en route to the Mediterranean and Africa

Great places to try a bit of bird watching now include:

• Holyhead, South Stack Cliffs, Anglesey, North Wales
• Scilly Isles, off Cornwall
• Portland, Dorset
• Beachy Head, Sussex
• North Norfolk coast
• Spurn Head, Humberside
• Caerlaverock, Dumfries & Galloway, SW Scotland - especially the Barnacle Geese & Wild Whooper Swans from October

Flora & Hedgerows

• Berries - rowan berries, elderberries, sloes, rosehips, plus the last of the blackberries

Autumn Colours
Look out for autumn colour on the trees - this annual spectacle is expected to be early this year due to the dry, warm spring. Keep tabs on autumn colour via these websites:

• Forestry Commission Autumn Colour website
• Perthshire in Scotland - one of the best places to see autumn colours in the UK
• Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire - another top spot to catch the autumn colours

New 10KM Walking Route In Forest

Woodland gem invites more visitors  

A ‘little gem’ of forest and ancient woodland near Loch Ness is being billed as an even more perfect spot for a bit of quiet recreation and relaxation thanks to a new 10km walking route.

Craigmonie and Balmacaan woods near Drumnadrochit have been the focus of a partnership project involving Forestry Commission Scotland (which owns Craigmonie), Woodland Trust Scotland (which owns Balmacaan) and the Craigmonie Woodland Association.Together they have created a leaflet guide to the woodlands and have installed way-markers and interpretation boards to help people get the most out of their visit.

Eleanor Garty, Woodland Trust Officer for Balmacaan, said: “These amazing woods are hidden away next to Drumnadrochit, just 15 miles south of Inverness, and they are well known and well used by local walkers, cyclists and horse riders. They really are a wonderful resource for tourists, too! It’s a fantastic location with 5 different way-marked walks that should offer something for everyone – from amazing broadleaf woodland to the marvellous views across Loch Ness from the top of the hill. You can also keep your eyes open for red squirrels, bats, badgers and a host of other wildlife or if you prefer, visit the Victorian ‘ice-house or what its thought to be the remains of an Iron Age fort."

The site features a range of trails to suit all levels and that are easily accessible on foot from either end of the woodland. The newly signposted 'Glen Coiltie loop' is 10km of moderate walking which starts in Craigmonie woodland, follows forest tracks onto Cnoc a Bhuachaille and returns through Glen Coiltie.

For the less strenuous visit you can also choose from:
• Craigmonie Trail: 1.6km, fairly strenuous, steep sections, goes to viewpoint overlooking Loch Ness.
• Milton Trail: 2.5km, moderate, has Milton viewpoint with interpretation board
• Oakwood Trail: 1km, easy, loops round a 'kettlehole' in oak woods
• Balmacaan Trail: 2.5km, moderate, through oak woods.

The woods and the series of way-marked trails are signposted from the main car park at the Tourist Information Centre in Drumnadrochit, where there is also a new information panel.
To find out more about the Craigmonie Woodland Association and how you can help out, visit www.drumnadrochit.info/craigmonie-woodland-association.html

Wildlife Watching Holidays On Isle Of Mull

Mull Charters

www.mullcharters.com

In 2012 you can enjoy an amazing 3 hour Sea Eagle Adventure trip for just £35!

Mull Charters aim to provide you with the ultimate wildlife watching experience. They take small groups of people (up to 12 max) to see the magnificent White Tailed Sea Eagle in it's natural environment around the coast of stunning Mull.


Every trip is a different adventure and often result in amazing views of these spectacular birds taking fish from the surface of the sea as close as 7 metres away.

You can also look out for other species at different times of the year eg Great Northern Diver, Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier etc. Sometimes you can encounter the local pod of Bottlenose Dolphins or harbour Porpoise en route.

Every trip has stunning scenery, a helpful crew and a taste of the wild, usually a hot drink and a biscuit as well.

They also offer specialist trips for photographers, sea angling trips and visits to the historical Isle of Inch Kenneth.

Please take the time to visit Trip Advisor and see what previous guests have said about their trips.

Check out their youtube link for more wildlife watching experiences www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKVp6l0-99g

Find more wildlife watching holidays on www.wildandgreenescapes.co.uk

Art In The Countryside - Connecting Light On Hadrians Wall

If you're lucky enough to be anywhere near Hadrians Wall this coming weekend (Fri 31 Aug & Sat 1 Sep) then keep a look out for an impressive and very unique art installation which will be taking place all along the wall as part of the London 2012 Festival.

On the Friday and Saturday nights, between 8pm and 11pm, some 400 tethered weather balloons - each 6ft in diameter - will be lit by internal LED lights creating a spectacular new art installation called Connecting Light, which will become 'a line of pulsating colours as messages are sent to and along Hadrians Wall.'

Apparently some of the best places to enjoy this spectacle are at the recommended viewing locations between Wallsend and Bowness on Solway.

If you can't see it in person then head online to view it digitally, for more details go to www.hadrian-wall.org/london2012 or  go to Twitter and follow @ConnectingLight

Eco Luxury B&B IN Scottish Highlands

Huntingtower Lodge, Druimarbin, Fort William

www.huntingtowerlodge.com

Chris and Jackie Clifford would like to welcome you into their West Highland home. Come to relax and enjoy 21st Century comfort at Huntingtower Lodge, a contemporary boutique B&B offering a "haven of tranquillity" overlooking Loch Linnhe.

The Lodge, with its stunning and ever changing views of Loch Linnhe, is 2 miles south west of Fort William, the 'Outdoor Capital of the UK.' All accommodation has extensive views across the loch towards the Ardgour peninsula and offers the opportunity to spot some of the varied wildlife around the Lodge.

The Lodge is light, bright and modern with double glazing and central heating throughout and is run as a green establishment (GTBS Gold Award). They provide free wi-fi access and the use of a lap-top if required. There is ample off-road parking, a secure garage for bikes and drying facilities for outdoor gear. They are happy to collect guests arriving in Fort William by public transport and can also transport guests who are walking the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way or travelling on the Jacobite Express. All lifts are by prior arrangement - a donation for this service to their preferred charity, The John Muir Trust, is always appreciated.

Find eco friendly holidays on www.wildandgreenescapes.co.uk

Wildlife Watching Holidays on Isle of Skye

Seaprobe Atlantis - Glass Bottom Boat Trips, Isle of Skye
 www.seaprobeatlantis.com

Seaprobe Atlantis is Scotland's only semi-submersible glass bottom boat, operating from the Marine Conservation area at Kyle of Lochalsh and recently voted 'Best UK Wildlife Experience' by the Daily Telegraph June 2010.

The boat operates 4 trips per day from March to 31st October and visits the local common seal colony with 25 - 45 seals, the local seabird nesting islands, with 16 different species spotted, and you can look for otters along the coast with an average one otter sighting per day.

Lochalsh is probably the best place in the UK for otter spotting. The unique feature of the boat is the large underwater viewing gallery with 26 underwater windows. The boat explores the shallow coastal waters, amongst the kelp beds and egg wrack, where you  can see a number of different fish species as well as star fish, jellyfish, sea urchins and crabs.

All trips are guided, binoculars, refreshments and toilets are available.
Find wildlife watching holidays on www.wildandgreenescapes.co.uk