Experience Tiree & Otter Watching Workshops
The stunning Isle of Tiree in Scotland's Inner Hebrides is a big part of our story at Lutra Grampia, and - new for 2026 - we're giving small groups a chance to experience it with us!
We have an intimate knowledge of Tiree's south-west coastline and its otter population, and it's this area we'll be focusing our time in.
Workshops will run over select dates in April and September, and places are limited to four per group to ensure we can give everyone the best experience possible.
April's dates will be available for booking from late January 2026 - enquire now, stating your preferred dates, to reserve your place.
Key Details
Duration: 2 Days
Dates: Tue 21 - Wed 22 April 2026 / Thur 23 - Fri 24 April 2026
Price: £400 per person (inclusive of £20 donation per person to Tiree Ranger Service)
What's Included: daily guiding, travel to island sites, refreshments, lunch and dinner at local cafe & restaurant, creative activity with Tiree Makery, exclusive goody bag.
What's Not Included: return travel to Tiree, accommodation, alcoholic drinks.
What to Bring: waterproof clothing and warm layers (weather can still be changeable in April), hat and gloves, sturdy boots, binoculars (extra sets will be available), water bottle / travel mug, sunscreen, any daily medication you require.
Note on cameras: please feel free to bring a camera if you wish, however it is important to note that the workshop will not focus on otter photography. If you would prefer a photographic workshop, we'll be more than happy to signpost you to guides in other areas of Scotland who can cater to this.
What to Expect
Over each two-day workshop, we'll take you to some of the best spots for otter watching around the south-west of Tiree, giving you ample opportunities to look out not only for otters but a whole host of island wildlife at the same time.
On day one, we'll start with an otter ecology walk, getting you used to what to look for when tracking and surveying otters on the coast, always keeping out eye out in case of any sightings along the way, before getting right into an otter watch! After lunch at the local cafe and another otter watch, we'll spend 1 - 1.5 hours supporting Tiree Ranger Service with a biodiversity survey and / or beach clean. We'll have time for another spot of observation before heading off to get ready for dinner at the local restaurant.
Day two will include an extended period of otter watching, before and after lunch, we'll make time for a rockpool survey, and in the afternoon we'll head over to Tiree Makery to get creative, with an otter theme of course! You'll each receive a goody bag, containing a few little bits of Tiree and some ottery gifts to take away with you at the end of the day, and then it's over to you to enjoy the rest of your time on Tiree - perhaps exploring some of the parts of the island we haven't covered in the workshop.
Our itinerary for each day has plenty of flexibility, so we can adjust timings to spend longer with an otter or stop off in different places depending on what we come across and each group's interests.
A Taste of Tiree...
Useful Information
You can travel to Tiree either by ferry from Oban (https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb) or by air from Glasgow (www.loganair.co.uk/en-gb/flights-to-tiree). Spring / Summer timetables are now available and open for booking.
Accommodation options can be found at Discover Tiree (www.isleoftiree.com) and isleHoliday (www.isleholiday.com)
More information is available from VisitTiree (www.visittiree.com).
And of course, we'll be on hand to advise you on travel, accommodation, things to do and see and anything else you need in the lead up to your workshop. Our workshops are not only about otter watching but an opportunity to introduce you to Tiree, its communities and small businesses and we want to make sure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in all this special island has to offer!
Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions.
