Scotland Wildlife locations near Ullapool/Loch Broom

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Hello, I am off to the southern side of Loch Broom in Scotland in a few weeks and I would like to seize the opportunity to photograph some wildlife. Any suggestions for good locations or specific wildlife worth finding? I can travel around a bit but would like to make the most of this location.
 
Keep your eyes open. There's things to see everywhere. I've not been up there this time of year but keep an eye out on the beaches and just offshore for plover, sanderling, dunlin, terns, gannets, oystercatchers - the list goes on. I've seen a lot of auks, divers and mergansers along the coast but I don't know what will be there this time of year. Sea eagles breed along that coast so there's always a chance of seeing them, and if you like walking the glens to the inland lochs give you a chance of golden eagles and deer. I'm not sure if you'll still get the sandpipers and golden plover on the moors this time of year. There's red kites but they're nearer Inverness. If that's the way you're travelling up keep your eyes open along the A9 and the road west from Torr roundabout because that's where you'll see them. There's what I presume is a feeding station along there but I prefer to see them in a natural way. If you're around Gairloch (south of Ullapool but a very scenic drive - just allow plenty of time) look up the Gairloch Marine Wildlife Centre down at the end of the quay. Ian does boat trips out into the loch. They're seeing a lot of dolphins at the moment. He'll also be looking for birds, seals and whales. Though the whales are mostly further out in the Minch I've seen a minke from his boat. Also maybe en route Loch of the Lowes just a few miles out of Dunkeld - the pair of ospreys have 3 young, but check the SWT website first as they can't be far off leaving.
Enjoy - it's a fantastic area.
 
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The only things I'd add to Jan's good advice are there are boat trips from Ullapool where there is a reasonable chance of seeing seals, porpoises and dolphins. I was in the Gairloch - Ullapool area about three weeks ago and the usual species were around - gulls, terns, oystercatchers, gannets, mergansers, eiders, a couple of great skuas, black throated divers. However, other than dedicated trips (eg the one Jan has mentioned from Gairloch) it is very much a matter looking out, luck and patience.

In addition to the Gairloch Marine Wildlife Centre ( http://www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk/ ) there is also Hebridean Whale Cruises, also in Gairloch ( http://www.hebridean-whale-cruises.co.uk/ ), both are very good.

If you do go to Gairloch, and as suggested above the road is a gem, have a look at the Corrieshalloch Gorge - and easy and short walk from car park on the A832 about a half a mile from the junction with the A835.

If you feel like a walk have a look at the excellent Walk Highlands site ( http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ ). It has lots of walks from gentle strolls to mountain ascents.

Hope you have a good time.

Dave
 
Handa also looks promising! Fifty miles isn't too bad. I was contemplating a trip to Cape Wrath as I've never been there, but I'm not sure if it is worth it. Handa looks more interesting at a glance.
 
We did the trip across the Kyle of Durness and by minibus to Cape Wrath many years ago really because we just wanted to get the corners of the land. It was a bit of fun (at the time the driver was only person in the bus that did not have someone else sitting on their knee). On a good day the walk from the car park at Balankeil along the beach to Faraid Head is good and Smoo Cave just east of Durness is, IMO, worth a look.

Dave
 
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