Wild Discovery is an award-winning wildlife tour company offering its guests opportunities to see the most charismatic and enigmatic species in Scotland. Run by husband-wife team Dan and Rachael Brown they bring passion and fun to every wildlife-packed day. Whether a beginner or experienced birder or those with a general interest in nature, Wild Discovery will accommodate your interests and needs with infectious enthusiasm.
A fundamental value of Wild Discovery is supporting conservation initiatives. This means that you will frequently get behind the scenes access to some incredible projects and hear first-hand from those working on the ground to protect some of Scotland’s rarest and most fascinating species. Wild Discovery also works with local providers and producers to support green and rural livelihoods which also helps to reduce the environmental footprint of each tour.
Dan and Rachael are both professional ecologists and highly experienced leaders having worked from the Antarctic to the Arctic, Madagascar to Papua New Guinea, but they are always drawn back to Scotland and its rich and varied wildlife, history and character. Join them for an unforgettable experience.
Wild Discovery offer something for everyone…
On Land
Join Wild Discovery on an immersive behind the scenes, fully-inclusive tour giving you the best of Scotland that take in Islay, Jura, Caithness, Outer Hebrides, Cairngorms, Shetland and more. Basking Sharks to Golden Eagles, Orca to carnivorous plants, there’s nothing we can’t show you on one of our small-group tours.
On Sea
Join a small-ship expedition around the most remote islands in Scotland on our Wild Scotland Conservation Cruise, Unexplored islands and wildlife. This meticulously curated expedition embarks on a path less travelled, retracing a legendary journey first undertaken in 1966 by the Scottish Ornithologist’s Club with strong Brown family connections. Highlights include the untamed beauty of St Kilda, the enigmatic allure of North Rona, the rugged grandeur of Muckle Flugga (Scotland’s most northerly point), the captivating mystic of Fair Isle and Foula and insights into the rich Celtic, Norse and Pictish history of the region. Expect to witness thousands of seabirds and waders, including of course the Atlantic Puffin, a plethora of marine and coastal mammals, the aroma of machair in full bloom whilst supporting local conservation charities.
Or, why not join us for a truly memorable holiday with your family and friends as we take a private vessel and explore the most difficult to get to and exciting regions of the Hebrides. You’ll have your own chefs and crew, Wild Discovery leaders and the chance to cruise St Kilda, track down Basking Sharks or visit tiny uninhabited islands, home only to Puffins, Seals and Otters.
Enigmatic Species
Interested in seeing a particular species? We offer fully-inclusive, small-group tours and custom-made trips to find the most enigmatic species including: Golden & White-tailed Eagle, Orca, Otter, Common & Grey Seals, Basking Sharks, Minke Whale, Common & Bottlenose Dolphins, Crested Tits & Scottish Crossbills, Red Squirrels & rutting Red Deer stags, Black & Red Grouse and Ptarmigan. Why not join us as we search for Scotland’s Big Five?
Photography
Scotland boasts some remarkable wildlife photographic opportunities many of which are incorporated into our tours however we also offer custom-made photographic excursions. Examples of species we can get you close to include: Pine Marten, Badger, Mountain Hare, Red Squirrel, Crested Tit, Golden Eagle and General woodland birds.
Custom day trips and tours
Do you have a particular desire to see or photograph a certain species or visit a specific area? We can design and organise day trips, short tours or fully inclusive land and sea adventures to create your perfect wildlife watching or photography experience.
Deeside Nature Festival
Wild Discovery organises a local nature festival in Upper Deeside incorporating a variety of free or low-cost nature-based events from Aboyne to the west of Braemar. Choose from wildlife walks to evening talks, moth trapping to nature art and a lot in between. The festival runs over the second Bank Holiday in May.
Identification Workshops
Join us on a not-for-profit workshop to combine seeing some fantastic species, learning about identification and ecology, whilst supporting conservation projects in the process.
Winners of
BEST OUTDOOR OR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY 2022/23 in the National Scottish Thistle Awards.
BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY at the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, Nov 2022.
It's in our Nature: Read our story about Sustainable Tourism >
