Situated as we are sandwiched between the edge of a sea loch and some of Scotlands mightiest mountains, yet surrounded by farmland, large gardens and rivers we have an incredibly diverse range of bird life on our doorstep.

Regular visitors within the grounds of Bonawe House are buzzard, sparrow hawk, tawny owl, barn owl, heron, greater spotted woodpecker, tree creeper, thrushes, siskins and the whole range of garden birds easily watched on our frequently filled bird feeders.

At the loch shore you can see swans, eider, oystercatchers, sandpiper, tern, cormorant, goldeneye, goosander, wagtail, tufted duck, teal, wigeon.

By the river watch the nesting sand martins, curlew, dipper, field fare, kestrel, lapwing, pied wagtail, pochard, redwing, ringed plover, wax wing winchat.

Within the local woodland (and indeed in the trees in the grounds of Bonawe House) there are blackbird, blackcap, blue tit, brambling, chaffinnch, coal tit, collared dove, cuckoo,great spotted woodpecker,goldcrest, goldfinch, greenfinch, great tit, house martin, jay, kite, long tailed tit, pipit, mistle thrush, redwing, robin siskin, snipe, song thrsh, , swallow, swift, tree creeper, warbler, wheatear, wren and yellow hammer.

A boat trip up Loch Etive rarely fails to deliver a view of soaring Golden Eagles, indeed I'm informed that upper Loch Etive has the greatest density of Golden Eagles anywhere in Scotland with numerous pairs overlapping and disputing their territory.

Kerrera Sea Adventures - 01631 563664 or 07786 963 279

One hour sea adventures around Kerrera. Binoculars and a drink supplied. For booking information and times please ring.

Everyone raves about this. See the rugged coast and wildlife from Seil Island (where the ferry to Easdale goes from) by fast inflatable. Booking essential.

1 hour by car. From Taynuilt turn right to Oban. Drive through Oban to the south on the A816. Turn right to Easdale on the B844, over the ‘Bridge over the Atlantic’.

These safaris are run from Mull, by Landrover. They pick you up at Craignure at 10.45 (after crossing from Oban at 10.00), and you’re dropped back off at 16.30 for the 17.00 ferry.

Prices in 2002: £26 per adult, inc. lunch & drinks, £22 for children under 14. Not recommended for young children.

Very much like a above with the same time schedule, but a different company. Sightings of eagles, otters, seals, red deer, and dolphins and basking sharks at the right time of year. Poor weather often produces the best sightings. Includes a picnic lunch. Adults £28.50. Children under 12 £21.50.

A day trip in air-conditoned Landrover round Mull seeing wildlife, geology and historical sites. Lunch and binoculars included