David Lambie
David, your SKYEFARI wildlife tour guide, was brought up in the Highlands of Scotland and North Perthshire and is an established and experienced ecologist with a long career in conservation and ecology. For the past 35 years he was working for Forestry, the RSPB and now owns an ecological survey company with a team of colleagues covering the Highlands and the islands. On top of this he also owns Hebridean Adventures based in Stornoway, a whale, dolphin and wildlife-watching cruise company, and of course his latest venture, SKYEFARI - 4x4 wildlife adventures around the Isle of Skye.
It all started at age 12 with a kestrel when he had to look after a falconers bird that was abandoned. That was the hook for a love for birds and nature was embedded in him. He was one of the original members of staff at the famous RSPB Abernethy reserve back in 1988 with a role as the deer manager, but was also heavily involved with the research and monitoring of capercaillie and black grouse as well as numerous other projects including a spell spent learning about fire ecology.
With a long-term working relationship with the Forestry Commission and private estates, both as an employee and a contractor, and a wealth of ‘hill experience’ driving on tracks and hillwalking, you are in good hands to learn about land management as well as the nature and wildlife of Skye and the West Highlands of Scotland.
He has had some amazing wildlife encounters over the years; one standout was almost being smacked with an eagle wing as it tried to grab his dog! A story he will be happy to tell if you ask.
David says it is all about having patience and an understanding of where feels good for an otter to appear, or the right weather for an eagle to fly in, and of course luck. It is these possibilities and the unknown encounters that makes each wildlife day so enthralling to him and he looks forward very much to sharing future encounters with you.