Rothiemurchus – Flying Owls, Hawks and an Eagle
A few hours.
The route
At Rothiemurchus Falconry, on the estate by Aviemore, everyone flies the birds of prey to their own glove: owls and hawks for all, and an eagle for the adults.
Falconers Jonny and Daisy Ames run it, with more than twenty years of falconry and wildlife teaching between them. Lunch follows at the Barn, the estate's own café.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book the Bird of Prey Experience online through Rothiemurchus for everyone in the group, as there are no spectators and children must be five or over; a session needs at least two people to run.
The day
Rothiemurchus
A session with the birds of prey on the Rothiemurchus estate, then lunch at the estate's café.
Rothiemurchus Falconry
An attraction
The falconry meets at the Fishery and Falconry car park at Rothiemurchus, a few minutes outside Aviemore, where one of the team collects you from the meeting point sign. A short walk through the Fishery brings you to the Falconry Centre, where the birds are introduced one at a time, each with its own personality. Then comes a safety talk, your glove, and the birds themselves, flying free to your hand. The session is out in the open: bring thin gloves in winter and leave anything with fur at home.
About 3 min on foot
The Barn at Rothiemurchus
Lunch
The Barn is the estate's café, a timber building at the Rothiemurchus Centre with a wood-burning stove to warm cold hands. Lunch is soup of the day or Cullen skink with a cheese scone made in the kitchen, a hearty one-pot special, or a sandwich, with something vegetarian always on, then scones and traybakes. The estate's Farm Shop across the way sells Rothiemurchus beef and venison to take home.
If it rains
An outdoor session, so wear layers and waterproof footwear.
Make it a weekend
