What to see in the Aviemore Area

You’ll never forget the first time you hear red deer stags roar or see a golden eagle soaring high above the cairngorms. In the Highlands you may spot the silhouette of a stag on the skyline, perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive pine marten or, with an early start, watch capercaillie (the world’s largest grouse) strutting their stuff in the early-morning light. You’ll certainly see red squirrels as they dart among the trees, quite unfazed by the presence of humans. The red deer usually keep to the mountain tops but from autumn through to spring these magnificent animals can often be seen grazing on the lower slopes, before the new fencing we could hear the, rut at Crubenbeg, usually in herds of twenty or more. The much smaller roe deer can sometimes be glimpsed in the fields and at the edge of woods allong the falls of Truim.

Scotland is a bird-watcher’s paradise! Seabirds abound on Scotland’s cliffs and the best times to watch them are spring and early summer, when there are more than four million breeding pairs of puffins, fulmars, razorbills, guillemots, gannets, skuas, shearwaters and petrels around the coast. Often all it takes is a walk and you are in prime position to watch the seeming chaos of a bird colony!

Inland, birds of prey can be spotted soaring high above; golden eagles and ospreys are best seen in the Highlands, but buzzards, hawks and red kites are increasingly common over the farmlands of the south and east. Bird hides at Loch Garten, Rothiemurchus and Loch of the Lowes and (via cctv) at Kailzie Gardens in the Borders and near Aberfoyle make it easy to watch ospreys as they swoop to catch fish to feed their young. If you come in early spring, then you’ll be able to observe Atlantic salmon as they head upstream to spawn, fighting their way against the current. This happens in several of the major rivers, where rocks or specially designed fish-ladders force them to leap out of the water.

You can go it alone and hope to spot your ‘prey’, but why not take advantage of expert knowledge and join a tour where not only are you more likely to find the right place to see the wildlife, but you’ll be given an insight into how they live. From near Inverness you can go dolphin-watching in the Moray Firth and there are boat trips from west coast towns (e.g. Gairloch, Oban, Largs) where you may be lucky enough to spot a minke whale (up to 10 metres long), one of twenty-two species of whales and dolphins sighted in these waters. If you prefer to go it alone, then there are lots of way-marked paths to follow; ask at the nearest tourist information centre.

Near Aviemore is the Highland Wildlife Park, managed by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, great for children if patience isn’t one of their virtues. Here there are otters, wildcats, capercaillie, reindeer and wolves, all of which are or were native to Scotland. You will also find a few exotic species, which are being bred here because the Highland climate is ideal for them; look out for the snow monkeys and Arctic foxes.

Tours: The best way to find out more about Scotland’s wildlife is to join a tour with a Wild Scotland operator on foot, by minibus, by boat or by land rover. With an expert guide you’ll discover so much more about Scotland’s wildlife!On your next holiday, make sure you get close-up and personal with Scotland’s wildlife!

Where to Stay:

Choose Highland Ho0liday Cottages for 4 star luxury self-catering. www.HighlandHolidayCottages.com

Wildlife to watch: a few ideas on where to go and when. Bottlenose dolphins: (All year, but especially spring and summer)The Moray Firth is a real hot-spot, but you can also see them off
Fraserburgh in the North East, in the Tay Estuary and the Firth of Forth, and on boat trips from the west coast.

Puffins: (April-July)Puffin colonies can be found on the cliffs at St. Abb’s Head in the Borders, Mull of Galloway in the South West and the seacliffs south of Aberdeen.

Ospreys (April-September)The Highlands, from the North West to the Cairngorms, in Perthshire and the Borders.

Red deer (All year, but especially autumn-early spring)In the Highlands, Perthshire and upland areas of the south of Scotland.

Red squirrels: (all year round)In older Caledonian pine forests in the Highlands, but also in Perthshire, the Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway.

Otters: (all year round)Look out when you are near a river mouth, especially on the west coast.

Atlantic salmon: (Oct-Nov)All major rivers but at the Falls of Trium.