+44 (0)1892 750 090 info@blueforest.com www.blueforest.com Handcrafted Tree Houses Blue Forest are the world’s leading luxury tree house designers. Whether you are dreaming of a treetop hideaway, fairytale tree house castle or children’s den, our team can work with you to create a bespoke tree house haven of your very own. Alamy, Shutterstock, Charles Leek Left: falconer David Masters with a barn owl. Above: dolphins in the Firth. Below: two mountain hares spar on the moor crossbill, which is unique to the United Kingdom. ‘I took a man and his two sons up onto the moor once,’ says Mike Gallon, the club’s activities manager. ‘We saw so many birds of prey: golden eagles, peregrine falcons, merlin, red kite – all in the space of two hours. It really is a hotspot for animals, and the commitment from Skibo to wildlife is fantastic.’ It’s not just birds that can be seen during a visit to Skibo. ‘There are hardly any animals that we don’t have,’ says Gallon. Mammals are plentiful, with opportunities to spot otters, pine marten and badgers – as well as five species of bat. And up on the grouse moor, you could even come across a mountain hare. On a more nautical note, there’s also the option to head out onto the Cromarty Firth on a RIB, and spend the day searching for dolphins, seals and, if you’re lucky, even the odd whale. The local wildlife might be impressive, but they aren’t the only animals worth keeping an eye out for at Skibo. Look out of your bedroom window in the morning and you might just be lucky enough to catch sight of a raptor or two on the lawn. In high season, falconer David Masters brings along his birds to Skibo, where he gives a display for guests and members. On an average morning, he’ll bring along a couple of falcons, a Harris’s hawk, and perhaps three owls, including a Eurasian eagle-owl (which typically have a wingspan of up to 6ft) and some of the native species, such as a barn owl and a tawny owl. Masters allows guests to handle and fly the hawks and owls themselves. He can even organise a private display or hawk walk for those who fancy a more personal experience. Even if you don’t consider yourself an ardent wildlife watcher it’s hard not to admire the abundance of animal life on offer at Skibo. ª – 5 8 – W I L D L I F E I T R E A L LY I S A H OT S P OT FO R A N I M A L S, A N D T H E CO M M I T M E N T F RO M S K I B O TO W I L D L I F E I S FA N TA ST I C