To the Gaels it was Fioreun, the true or perfect bird, the noblest of creatures symbolising courage, strength and grace.

Its feathers defined rank. Three for royalty or a clan chief, two for a chieftain of a cadet branch and one for a gentleman of the clan.

In ancient tradition it was held to live for more than 500 years.

But how many Scots have ever seen a Golden Eagle?

There are only about 400 pairs in Scotland. They rear their young on the summit and ledges of inaccessible crags and search for their prey while soaring at great height.

RSPB Scotland lobbied to have it recognised as the National Bird of Scotland. But at the time, Patricia Ferguson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, said she was concerned visitors to Scotland might be under the impression they would be guaranteed to see a Golden Eagle.

But as from tomorrow and for the first time in Scotland, nature enthusiasts will be able to get close to Golden Eagles in their natural habitat.

The RSPB is describing it as one of the country's most enthralling wildlife spectacles which is to be the centrepiece of a new visitor attraction on the Ardnamurchan peninsula RSPB Scotland, in partnership with the Ardnamurchan Natural History Centre near Glenborrodale on the north shore of Loch Sunart, will host the new attraction, featuring CCTV cameras trained on a deer carcass, allowing observation of wild Golden Eagles as they come in and feed.

Eilidh Smith, the RSPB's north of Scotland communications manager, explained: "The carcass will be behind a hill a couple of miles away from the centre and the CCTV will be in a hide looking down on it.

"The pictures will be seen on big screens at the centre."

In addition, visitors will be able to view the eagles through telescopes and by the naked eye before they descend behind the hill to the carcass, and when they re-emerge.

On Mull a similar project allowing people to view white tailed sea eagles has become a firmly established tourist magnet, attracting people with varying degrees of interest in wildlife and boosting the island's economy by as much as £1.7m annually, according to a recent economic assessment.

Ritchie Dinnes, manager of the Ardnamurchan Natural History Centre, said: "The eagle viewing gives a new dimension to what we offer at the centre and we're hopeful it will be a big draw for visitors."