So Long Tulloch......Day 12

 Our last morning waking up at Tulloch Farm. It was so good to be back and we had absolutely amazing time.It really is a magical place to stay, with the most wonderful hosts.The perfect base from which to explore the Highlands with all it's splendour and magnificent Wildlife.

We couldn't leave without saying a last goodbye to Shadow, Neville and Georgie and of course to those wonderful hosts(friends) Margo & Robert.

If you want to know more about the farm, their website link is below.Just don't all book it at once so I can't get back in 😉

https://www.tullochfarm.co.uk/

 Last photo of Tulloch Farm before we left.

 We weren't driving all 7 hours back to Lincolnshire today as we were going to 'overnight it' in Stirling. It meant we could take our time and stop along the way to admire the scenery, especially as our route home took us through Glencoe to Crianlarich and Callander.

 We continued on to Callander as it is always a nice place to stretch your legs and browse the shops. Little did we know that there was a race on and the place was busier than we've ever seen it.The main car park was full, mainly of runner's and stewards so we had to park along the river. At least it meant that it wasn't far to look for birds.

 A Robin sang for us and a couple of Jackdaws looked at us in anticipation of food and on the water there were Mute Swans, Mallards and Goosanders.

 Goosanders on the River Teith.

 Arriving at our final stop, Stirling Travelodge we settled in for the night and thought of the fantastic wildlife we had seen during our last 11 days in the Highlands. Tomorrow we would be back in Lincolnshire.

Photos by Stuart Pike & Majella Fox 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read any of my latest blogs about our Scotland trip. I really hope you enjoyed the photos and stories, and a look around the Scottish Highlands with us,

Hopefully it won't be in the too distant future when I do the next blogpost.

Thanks for reading.Stay safe and get out to connect with Nature.

 

 

Scotland 2020 - Day 1 - On The Up!!

  As usual around my birthday we try and go away for a while.This year due to having to find a new place to live we did just plan to have a couple of nights in Norfolk.Our friend Margo then offered us a cabin at their farm in the Scottish Highlands so our plans changed :)

  After lots of wind and rain and a detour as the A66 was closed we eventually drove past my favourite signpost.

  There had been quite a bit of Snow in Scotland in the days previously so after debating which we thought would be more Snow-free we headed up to Stirling and then West through the Trossachs.

  Callander high street.

  Continuing to head West we stopped at Killin to view the Falls Of Dochart.

  During a quick browse in the Mill thrift store we found ourselves a new curtain rail lol  Check out the Mill here - https://www.killinwatermill.co.uk/
  Soon after leaving Killin we find ourselves on the A82 winding it's way through the stunning scenery of Rannoch Moor and Glencoe.

 

  Panoramic view of the A82 heading West into Glencoe.

  Along the A82 through Glencoe there is a popular parking bay which gives you access to views of Glencoe Falls. Despite the pouring rain I made the short walk to the roadside Falls.

  A slow-mo video clip of the Falls.

  As the Glen widened Red Deer could be seen grazing along the river.They were mainly Hinds with a few Stags dotted further up the hillside.
  Photo by Majella Fox

  Within a couple of hours we had driven through Fort William and Spean Bridge to the farm and our cabin for the next 6 days.

  Day 2 tomorrow :)
 

Tales From The Highlands

Day 1 - The Journey

  Despite only 2-3 hours sleep we woke with the excitement and enthusiasm of two kids heading of to Disneyland.The enthusiasm though quickly diminished when hit with the reality of the 9hr+ car journey ahead.We packed the car with probably enough stuff for a months expedition to the Amazon and set off as daylight approached.
  Not surprisingly the first birds of the trip were the Rooks.The noisy neighbours making sure the whole Rookery knew it was time to get up.Heading West on the M180 it wasn't long before I saw my first Raptor was spotted, a lone Buzzard surveying a field also accommodated by a Roe Deer.
  Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Wood Pigeons, Magpies, Pheasants, Black-headed Gulls, a Robin and a Blackbird were all seen along the motorway.Majella mentioned she was cold so I turned up the car heater saying it's not cold but then noticed a field of black and white cows and said "I guess you were right, it's Fresian out there!" ;)
  In a field off the A1 it was great to see a couple of Hares still going mad chasing each other, obviously no one had told them it was now April.About 20 minutes from Scotch Corner and I saw my first waders, a couple of Oystercatchers in a field among 12 Greylag Geese.Our first pit stop was in fact Scotch Corner.A Rabbit chewed on the grass by the car park while Dunnocks and House Sparrows looked for scraps dropped by the hungry motorists.
  I also found 2 Common Quaker moths on the windows of the services, my first moths of the year.

  The next section, West over the Dales on the A66 was always a good place to look for birdlife.Tricky to do at 60mph but scanning the fields and dry stone walls produced lots of Lapwings, Starlings, Curlews, Mute Swans, a Moorhen and a Red-Legged Partridge before we hit Penrith.

  As we headed up the M74 towards Glasgow I saw my first Swift of the year, unfortunately it was a caravan ;) While driving through the traffic near Glasgow I saw Feral Pigeons, Mallards, Pied Wagtail and Buzzards 3,4 and 5 of the trip so far.
  Turning off near Stirling on to the A84 took us close by the Argaty Red Kite feeding station at Doune.We didn't have time to visit but did manage to spot a Red Kite circling on the thermals on the hills.After lunch at a very busy Callander we then stopped half hour down the road at Killin and Dochart Falls.

  Following Buzzard number 6 and a Canada Goose in a lochan on Rannoch Moor we headed into Glencoe.
  Looking back down towards Bridge Of Orchy.

  Rainbow over Rannoch Moor.

  No matter how many times we drive through Glencoe, you cannot fail to be blown away by its magnificence.

  Through Glencoe and only 15 miles to Fort William.Another bird sighting, this time a Grey Heron fishing the shoreline of Loch Linnhe.We stopped for food at Fort William then continued on to the farm near Roybridge.
  We unpacked and did the important things first like say "Hi" to the horses and put out the bird food.I had a short walk down to the river at the bottom of the field.Majella came out to meet me after a while and said she could hear a Tawny Owl calling from the trees on the opposite bank.

  A tiring journey up but great to to back here in the Scottish Highlands.The day ended with Whisky and Match Of The Day :)

  Thank you for reading my blog and hopefully I will be able to share our trip with you over the next week.

Kindest regards
Stuart