FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all your tours private?
Yes, all our tours are private. There won't be anyone but you, your group, and the birdlife of Edinburgh.

What will I see?

We aim to see between 60 and 70 species on a full-day tour and 45 to 55 species on a half-day tour.

For representative species, please see our Tour page.

All our tours are tailored to your requests, so please contact us with your species wishlist.

How do I book a tour?

Simply fill in the details on our Book Your Tour page to receive your quote within 24 hours.

What are your arrangements for transport?
On full-day tours, which take place at two locations, transport between locations is arranged and paid for by the guide.
Guests make their way to and from our tour locations, which are in all cases easy to reach by bus or taxi. Transport in Edinburgh is straightforward, inexpensive, and quick, with an excellent public transport system and apps like Uber.

For transport on tours outside Edinburgh, please see below.

Can I tour locations other than Edinburgh?

Yes! In the past, we've run fantastic tours of Glasgow, Perthshire, Fife, Loch Lomond, and Dundee. Many guests take two days of tours to explore South Scotland's birds in full. We also have a sister company, Manchester and Liverpool Birding Tours, for guests further south.

Frustratingly, guides can't take guests in their vehicles without being registered as taxis, but we can always follow your car in ours, so anywhere you can travel, so can we!

Do you cater for photographers?

Our tours provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photographers, including access to blinds/hides.Example photographs can be seen on our Google Reviews page.

What do I need to bring with me?

Please bring water, snacks, dry clothes, warm clothes outside summer, and appropriate footwear (walking boots are best, but sneakers also fine).

We don't provide food and drink ourselves, but we often pass cafes and shops while on the tour. Stops for refreshment can also be arranged, but these aren't included as part of the overall tour price.

Do you provide optical equipment?

We provide a birding telescope as standard on coastal tours. On request, two additional pairs of high-quality binoculars can also be provided for free.

By confirming a tour with Edinburgh Birding & Nature Tours, you agree to use our equipment with the necessary care. You also agree that any damage or breakages to optical equipment during client use will be compensated in full.

What is your cancellation policy?

Any cancellation (including all rearrangements) by the tour guest must be made in writing via email. Cancellation within 60 days of the tour start-date will result in full payment being made to the tour operator; the date of the aforementioned email will determine the cancellation charges applicable. Individual guests on tours of more than one guest can cancel up to 30 days before the tour date; after this time, their fee must also be paid in full.

Scotland’s unpredictable weather means that some of our birding may take place in the rain; Scotland's sporadic showers can sometimes even increase the intensity of bird activity. Poor weather cannot be a cause of cancellation by the guest, except in the case of weather warnings, which are considered force majeure and therefore result in a full refund. Foreseeable events such as flight cancellations and other international travel problems cannot be considered force majeure and therefore will not result in a refund; however, client's personal health emergencies, as well as other traumatic personal events such as funerals, will result in a full refund on provision of the appropriate evidence.

Any cancellation by the tour operator will result in a full refund. By confirming a tour with Edinburgh Birding & Nature Tours, you agree to these conditions.

Red Grouse tour: If guests attempt the Red Grouse Tour without adequate equipment, namely, hiking boots and appropriate clothes, the tour will be cancelled and no refund provided. Tours may also be cancelled without refund if the guide has reason to believe that the walking will be too strenuous for the guest.