There is an abundance of wildlife to be seen along the West Coast of Scotland.  The list is endless, but below are the details of a few of the animals and birds viewed by guests staying at Tigh Brachen, either from the sunroom overlooking the bay or the surrounding area.   Click on any of the following to be taken to a fact sheet about each species. 

Mammals

Bottlenosed Dolphin

Sighted in Loch Diabaig

Grey Seal

A regular visitor to Loch Diabaig,  hunting and sunning itself on the rocks at the end of the pier

Harbour Porpoise

Sighted in Loch Diabaig and Gairloch

Otter

Watched from the house in Loch Diabaig eating crabs on the beach,  and also seen in Shieldaig and Gairloch

Pine Martin

Watched late one evening outside the house hunting along the shoreline.  Also seen hunting on a shingle beach between Shieldaig and Torridon

Red Deer

Regularly seen in Glen Torridon, along the Torridon to Diabaig road, and the walks directly from the house.

Birds

White Tailed Eagle

A first for me!  Sighted over Loch Diabaig on 2006 New Year's Eve.  Both wings had blue tags

Black Guillemot

Regularly sighted fishing on Loch Diabaig

Black Throated Diver

Sighted on the Fairy Lochs Walk, Gairloch (See walks page). You hear them before you see them!

Buzzard

A common sight all around Torridon and on the hills above Loch Diabaig

Cormorant

Frequently seen in Loch Diabaig (if not daily!) trying to swallow enormous fish and sunning themselves.

Eider Duck

Frequently seen in Loch Diabaig, especially bathing in the fresh water which runs into the Loch at the end of the road.

Golden Eagle

Seen on the high slopes of Beinn an Eoin

Goosander

Raft of Goosander seen on Loch Diabaig

Great Northern Diver

Sighted from Tigh Brachen fishing around Loch Diabaig

Little Grebe

Sighted from the house fishing along the shoreline of Loch Diabaig

Merlin

Sighted hunting around Loch Diabaigas, above Tigh Brachen

Oystercatcher

Seen (and heard) most days feeding at the end of the pier or along the shoreline

Red Breasted Merganser

Sighted from Tigh Brachen fishing around Loch Diabaig

Red Throated Diver

Sighted on Loch Shieldaig

Ringed Plover

Sighted on small shingle beach on the Shieldaig pennisula walk.  Young chick photographed (see photo album page)

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Last updated: 21 February 2008