Mull's Otters and Eagles

The Hebridean island of Mull boasts nearly 300 miles of coastline, which offers tremendous opportunities for both landscape and wildlife photography. In April the tussle between winter and spring is in full swing, adding the full gamut of light and shade. Mull is home to some of Britain’s most iconic wildlife, including magnificent White-tailed Sea Eagles taking fish from the water, herds of Red Deer in mountain glens, playful Otters foraging along the shoreline and dolphins leaping at sea. This tour will enable you to explore & enjoy the wildlife of Mull, appreciate the stunning Hebridean scenery and travel by boat to the iconic island of Staffa, with its remarkable basal columns, Iona with its Celtic Christian origins, and Lunga for seabirds.

Itinerary (may be adjusted to make the best use of weather conditions):

Day 1: Meet at Glasgow, travel to Oban, black guillemots, ferry to Craignure on Mull, dinner, introductory presentation.
Day 2: Breakfast. Morning: Chartered boat trip for white-tailed sea eagles. Lunch. Afternoon: Search for otters. Dinner.
Day 3: Breakfast. Drive to Tobermory. All day boat tour to Staffa and Lunga. Photograph geology, seabirds and (if we are fortunate) dolphins. Photograph wrecks on Mull shoreline. Dinner. Evening: Image review and processing.
Day 4: Breakfast. Morning: Search for otters. Lunch. Afternoon: Chartered boat trip for white-tailed sea eagles. Dinner.
Day 5: Breakfast. Drive and ferry to Iona. All day at Iona Abbey and Hebridean beaches. Mountain landscape photography. Dinner. Evening: Image review and processing.
Day 6: Early trip to search for otters. Breakfast. Depart hotel, ferry to Oban. Black guillemots. Drive to Glasgow via Loch Lomond.

Please note that landings on Staffa and Lunga are subject to sea conditions, as determined by the captain of the boat.

Group Size: Maximum of 6 participants.

Recommended photographic equipment: Digital single lens reflex camera capable of photographing at ISO 1600 or 3200 for low-light shots early and late in the day, Telephoto lenses (400mm or 500mm focal length) for bird and mammal photography, Standard and wide angle zoom lenses for mountain landscapes, camera manual, tripod, monopod, cable release, neutral density and polarising filters, hiking boots (good grip required for otter photography), cold weather and wet weather clothing, warm hat and gloves.

Dates: 12 to 17 April 2021.

Meet at lunchtime on Day 1, depart late afternoon on Day 6.

Six day tour £1,450. Single supplement £300.

Included: Accommodation including all meals at the comfortable and delightfully situated Isle of Mull Hotel in Craignure for five nights, travel from Glasgow, ferry crossings, boat trips and guiding.

Excluded: Travel between home and Glasgow, lunch on first day, drinks.

Feedback from previous Mull's Otters and Eagles Tours led by Robert Harvey:

"Thank you to you for guiding us and helping us improve our photography. Of course the sublime weather helped, but reflecting on the trip last night once we got back we covered so much – the exclusive Lady Jayne trips were brilliant, the bottle-nosed dolphin sightings were special as were the otters. We may not have got the most award winning images of otters but what we enjoyed was watching them go about their daily business without seemingly a care in the world. The puffins and other birds were gorgeous on Lunga (another special place), and Staffa and Iona we will always remember. Other scenery was superb and you helped us see some of it through different perspectives – so thank you for that." CN, Sussex