Wester Ross has the largest National Scenic Area in Scotland where jagged mountains run down into the Atlantic Ocean: the far North West of Scotland is not an easy place to call home with often wild weather brought in from the Atlantic. But its very emptiness makes it attractive for some wildlife, with Spring and Autumn often being the most active times of year for viewing! Migration is in full swing with birds and sea mammals moving north or south, in Spring the moorland is bursting with flora and nesting birds while in Autumn the birds are gathering for their winter holidays.

Rua Reidh lighthouse provides a wonderful unique base from which to observe the nature of the area whilst staying in the comfortable keepers house.

The rocky seaweed strewn shores around the lighthouse are favoured by the elusive otter and off the headland is a favourite place for Great Northern Divers to stop for a snack on their migration route. From the lighthouse walls Whales, Dolphin, Basking Shark and Atlantic Seals can be viewed when the sea is not too rough.

Coastal plantlife clings precariously to steep cliffs as do nesting Fulmars, Shags and Kittiwakes and the moors are alive with the flowers of bogland and heather which provide cover for ground nesting Golden Plover and Red Grouse. Other birds sometimes seen include the magnificent White Tailed Eagle, Skua, Red & Black Throated Divers and in Autumn the tiny Storm Petrel is sometimes drawn towards the light as they return to their nests at night time!

Basking Shark seen from the lighthouse walls in July 2006