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Ardtornish lies on the west coast of Scotland on the
Morvern Peninsula, and boasts one of the most spectacular landscapes in the UK. This
is a stunning location for nature watching with dramatic scenery, tranquil coastlines,
and unspoilt habitats. Ìý | | Solitude
and tranquility - the Morven Peninsula |
Morvern's
varied habitats include ancient woodlands, rolling hills, rivers and sea lochs
as well as 20 miles of coastline.
The Morvern Peninsula is separated from
the Isle of Mull by a narrow strip of water called the Sound of Mull. Morvern
is one of the few places in the UK that has hardly been touched by modern life. It
is sparsely populated, and because of a lack of human intervention, it boasts
a great diversity of animals, birds and flowers. Described by many as 'the
best kept secret in Scotland', Morvern is a must for nature lovers seeking solitude
and rare species of wildlife. In winter there is a wide range of wildlife
from Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles to Pine Martins and Peregrines. It's
also home to one of the UK's most elusive creatures - the Otter. Return
of the Otter  Otters
have lived in Britain at least since the late glacial times about 12,000 years
ago or more.
This animal was once widespread but dramatically declined in
numbers. Aggressive farming practices in the 1950s led to pollution of many
rivers in lowland areas. The trimming of bank sides and the use of pesticides
also contributed to the decline of the Otter population. In 1970s few Otters
remained in any significant numbers in South West England, Wales and the sea lochs
of Scotland. Wildlife experts say that Otters now appear to be making a
comeback. Their favourite habitats are the banks of rivers, lake shores
and rocky coasts where they feed on fish, worms, and insects. Sea lochs
and rivers of the west coast of Scotland are great places to see Otters because
they are under less pressure than other parts of the country. Morvern is
especially good for otter watching because there are three large estates where
the Otters have been left to their own devices. Otters
in daylight  Traditionally
Otters have been seen as nocturnal creatures, but experts now say that they are
increasingly being seen during the daytime when there is a lack of disturbance
from humans.
A good Otter spotting area is Lochaline, a small sea loch
on the Ardtornish estate. There's open access for walkers to visit the sea
lochs on the estate. If you visit the loch where the river Aline enters
it, you may be lucky enough to see Otters playing. Look out for signs of
disturbance in the water when Otters are out fishing for food. Pine
Martens  Ardtornish
is also a good place to see Pine Martens - these slinky forest dwelling carnivores
exist in very small numbers outside Scotland.
They look like colourful
ferrets with their chocolate brown bodies and yellow throats. Their diet
largely consists of field voles, rabbits, and frogs. The Pine Martens are
very curious, and have a sweet-tooth for sticky snacks like peanut butter or honey These
animals range ranging over large areas, but one of the best places to see them
is the Morvern Peninsula. | 
