Red squirrel experience

A private ranger-led session for two people in search of red squirrels in the forests of the Scottish Borders

This is a private session for up to two people. We’ll be using our knowledge of local red squirrel populations to head out to some of the likeliest spots for watching red squirrels in the Scottish Borders.

It includes a forest walk looking for signs of red squirrels and a viewing session in a small woodland. This activity helps to support our nature education programme.

There are few more uplifting sights than a red squirrel scampering around a Scottish forest.

At Go Wild Scotland we’re huge fans of these beautiful little creatures – and we spend a lot of time on the lookout for them in the forests of the Scottish Borders.

That means we’ve got a pretty good idea where to find them – and while we can never guarantee a sighting, you’ll have a great chance of encountering one up close.

Red squirrels are an increasingly rare sight in the UK but here in the Scottish Borders they are holding on and we’re involved in helping to monitor our local populations.

You’ll join an experienced wildlife ranger for a red squirrel walk through forest where there are active red squirrel populations, looking for signs of their presence on the ground and in the trees.

After that we’ll visit a spot where we have had a lot of luck seeing squirrels: all the pictures on this page have been taken by us in the local forests.

You’ll need to be reasonable mobile for the short walks involved and time will be spent sitting in woodland. Patience can be required and it is advisable to dress warmly. We’ll provide binoculars; phone cameras produce useable pics but for photographers a zoom in the 100mm to 400mm range is useful.

You can keep an eye out too for roe deer and the bird life of the forest, including goldcrests and great spotted woodpecker.

Pine martens are also resident and visit the monitoring station, though daylight sightings are still a bit of a rarity.

Please note that these are wild animals and while the session will involve visiting a monitoring site where we usually see squirrels, sightings can never be guaranteed.

Tickets cost £150 for two people. Please note that prices are based on the use of your own transport: we can arrange minibus, coach or luxury vehicles at an additional cost. Contact us for details.

We run our nature adventures to give more people a chance to enjoy the wildlife of southern Scotland and to help cover the cost of our community nature and wildlife projects. All profits go back into the community interest company to enable us to continue to operate Mauldsheugh Wood, along with nature clubs, school visits and collaborations with other community groups.