Wildlife Top 10

The BWWC guide to Scottish wildlife

Bottlenose Dolphin

Made famous by the BBC's 'SpringWatch' programme, the dolphins of the Moray Firth are resident all year round and are almost permanent fixtures at certain sites, fishing and playing together in their 'pods'.

Often yards off the shoreline, up to 30 can be seen at a time putting on one of the greatest shows on earth.
Red Squirrel

A masterful display of treetop agility is guaranteed from these delightful, shy and endangered foragers.

Significantly smaller than their grey American cousins, the pinewoods of Strathspey remain a precious sanctuary for the animal that lives 'under the shadow of its own tail.'
Red Deer

The Autumn red deer 'rut' remains one of the highlights of the wildlife watching calendar as the glens and moors echo to the sound of roaring stags and the clashing of antlers.

Master stags jealously guard their personal harem or 'parcel' of hinds, ever watchful for the amorous attentions of would-be Monarchs of the Glen.
Atlantic Salmon

Enduring one of the most incredible journeys in the animal world, few sights compare to that of an Atlantic Salmon propelling itself upwards against a raging torrent or waterfall.

Mystery still surrounds quite how the 'Salmon of Knowledge' manages to return against all the odds to spawn in the very place of its own birth.
Mountain Hare

As famous as the Ptarmigan for donning its white winter finery during the coldest months, 'mountain', 'white' or 'blue' hares as they are variously known can be surprisingly easy to see when the snow and ice melts.

A dweller of Highland glen and moor, they can be picked out scurrying across the scree, ever watchful for Golden Eagles.
Pine Marten

One of the UK 's least-seen mammals, the nocturnal Pine Marten is nonetheless making a concerted comeback thanks to more sympathetic land management.

Speyside's forests still support many, and specialist evening wildlife hides provide a unique chance to view this secretive hunter.
Otter

Predominantly a fish eater, Otters are often attracted to the same estuaries and coastal sites as Ospreys.

The fish-rich waters of Scotland are the main stronghold for the UK population of this shy but magnificent mammal, the presence of which is often given away by a whistling call.
Reindeer

Specialising in feeding on the lichens and mosses growing in the pure mountain air of the Cairngorms arctic montane habitat, the UK 's only wild reindeer herd are nonetheless tame enough to feed from hand and readily come to greet delighted feeding parties before disappearing back into the mountains.
Butterflies

With no fewer than 27 species of butterfly occurring in the National Park - including the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Scotch Argus and Mountain Ringlet - the Cairngorms in summer is a lepidopterist's delight.

Regular butterfly walks and safaris help to maximize your chance of rare encounters.
Scottish Wildcat

Of all the species our guests come to track down, the Scottish Wildcat is arguably the Holy Grail.

With an estimated 400 pure-bred individuals left in the Highlands , seeing a wildcat is the ultimate challenge. But with so much of its preferred habitat of ancient forest and wild moor at hand, at least you have a chance!