The first real trip I went on was to The Isle of Rum in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. I had only been at uni for no more than a month when I set off on this trip so it was bit scary, especially since I didn't know everyone there yet. However, this turned out to be the best way to meet lots of people on my course and get to know the lecturers. I'd never been to Scotland before, so everything about it was exciting, even the 14 hour drive to get there (although this seemed a little less appealing at 4am when I couldn't sleep due to lack of leg space).
The main reason we went was to see the red deer rutting as it was well into the breeding season when we arrived. We walked to the site, which took a good hour but the views were amazing. When we arrived we perched ourselves on a little ledge made from an outcrop of rock on the hillside and we sat in silence for hours watching the deer. It was a really special moment being able to see all the little dramas unfold as the males fought for groups of females. I managed to get this picture of a female and her offspring which came really close to the hillside.
Along with this rather proud looking stag...
As well as deer we saw a variety of other animals including some golden eagles, a few common seals, wood mice, porpoises and some very friendly ponies. We even found an abandoned manx sheerwater chick which had been left behind as the migrating flock had already left for Africa.
The best view by far came from the top of Halival. I'm not sure if you'd call it a mountain as such but compared to what I'm used to it was huge, so climbing all the way to the summit was no mean feat. Somehow, with a lot of stamina and perseverance, I made it to the top and I was greeted by this sight...
I absolutely love Scotland, its a beautiful place with fascinating wildlife and a wild and rugged landscape and I'm determined to go back in the future. If you'd like to know more about the Isle of Rum and its wildlife click here for more information and for how you can visit for yourself.
