To add to this Helen, I seem to remember that there is a Fish Farm not too far away from Loch Garten with a hide and for a small charge you can view the Ospreys fishing.

The books will no doubt have details of this but since you mentioned that the Ospreys are the main reason for your visit, I thought I would point this out to you.

Helen,

As Ian quite rightly says, those books mentioned are essential.

I stayed near Loch Garten a couple of years back and the recomended places to see the "Scottish specialities" are:-

Lochindorb - Black-Throated Diver/ Red Throated Diver.

Loch Garten - Osprey, Crested Tit, Crossbill sp, Capercaillie (5.00am start at the
RSPB Caper-watch - see RSPB website for details)

Loch Ruthven - Slavonian Grebe in summer plumage, Red-Throated Diver.

Tulloch Moor (Near Loch Garten) - Black Grouse at early morning Lek.

Cairngorms - Ptarmigan

Findhorn Valley - Golden Eagle

There are lots of other areas to visit and the book will give you further information but hopefully this helps you for around the Loch Garten area to start off with.

Helen, you need to buy these two books before you go:

Where To Watch Birds In Scotland by Mike Madders

Best Birdwatching Sites In The Scottish Highlands by Gordon Hamlett

I too am staying near Inverness this June, on the shores of the Cromarty Firth. These books are essential

Hi all I've booked a holiday to Delny near Inverness at the end of May and am hoping for some tips on where is good to go in this area? The ospreys at Loch Garten are a definite (and the main reason I'm going), but I've never been to Scotland before. Would love to see eagles, crested tit, crossbills and all the divers if possible, but don't know what's around this area. Any advice would be much appreciated Thanks Helen