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<< Feature Articles >> The best places in the UK to combine birdwatching and ancient site visits

Submitted by Andy B on Thursday, 07 January 2016  Page Views: 1954

EnvironmentCountry: Scotland County: Highlands
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Clachtoll Broch
Clachtoll Broch submitted by megalithicmatt : The ruins of the broch between Stoer and Clachtoll, seen from the north. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Here's a guide to some of the best places in the north of Scotland to combine a love of birdwatching with visits to some fascinating ancient sites. The recommendations are Ben Griam Beg, the highest hillfort in the UK, Smoo Cave, and Clachtoll Broch, read on for more.

Ben Griam Beg Cairns and Hillfort, Sutherland

Experience the wonder of threading your way through ancient lochans before the ground steepens as you climb out of the bog, up the eastern flank of Ben Griam Beg to the mysterious hill fort crowning its summit - the highest in Scotland. Binoculars, wellies or walking boots and wet weather gear are advised. Start at the visitor centre at the RSPB Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve.

Smoo Cave

Smoo Cave, again in Sutherland is also an amazing spot for watching seabirds. Archaeologically, the low soil-covered mound just inside the entrance was excavated in 1992 and proved to be a midden, that is, a domestic refuse heap. It was packed with shells, some of which can still be seen projecting up through the soil surface. The upper part of the midden was found to date from the Iron Age; deeper levels were progressively older.

Clachtoll Broch, Highland

Lyn Swan particularly recommends this place as worth a visit even if there were no broch here - especially if you can watch the sunset. You can just imagine the lives of the people who lived in its protection, but the really great thing about this site is it's ocean views, ideal for watching sea birds, seals and maybe even a bottle nosed dolphin.

It's also an interesting spot for geologists. The broch itsself has rather tumbled down but it has recently been stabilised so poses no danger, although you should probably refrain from climbing on it. There's a car park by the beach, a ranger's hut, old salmon bothy, now a museum, a memorial to Rev Norman McLeod. what more could you want. I'd recommend bringing some binoculars such as the ATN bird watching binoculars

This post has been kindly sponsored by ATN International, visit them for more details of their products.

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