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There are only 532 capercaillie left in the UK. Over 85% of those birds live in a handful of forests in the Cairngorms National Park. 

The species is protected under UK law, which makes it a criminal offence to disturb them whilst they are breeding. Breeding season lasts from 1 April to 31 August. Capercaillie need all our help to survive so please #LekItBe and don't go looking for capercaillie. 

Latest update: Some male birds are displaying in prominent places near to other breeding capercaillie to attract the attention of females. Visitors are advised to take particular care as birds may also attack you as their testosterone levels are high. There have already been incidents of people being injured by the birds so please follow the signs in place for your own safety too. 

In particular, members of the public are being advised not to use the following paths into Abernethy Forest from Glenmore and Nethy Bridge during early mornings (before 8.30am) over the next few weeks to avoid disturbing breeding capercaillie:

• Ryvoan Bothy to Forest Lodge path
• Vehicle access track to Forest Lodge
• Dell Road to Forest Lodge track
• Forest Lodge to Rynettin path

• Information on the #LekItBe campaign

Please use caution when following the Speyside Way through Tom an Uird wood, near Cromdale.

Tree felling works will be ongoing adjacent to the Speyside Way route until October 2025. The Speyside Way will remain OPEN throughout the works, but please use extra caution. 
There will be timber stacks alongside the track, and you may encounter forestry tractors loading timber lorries, for your own safety please follow any site controls and directions. 

The footbridge over the Water of Tanar at Coirebhruach is closed for safety due to bank undermining. This is the bridge on the Mounth Road at the top of Glen Tanar, at the foot of the northern approach to Mount Keen (NO 406 896).

A short section of the Calder path – part of the Wildcat Trail – has washed away on the trail between the old St Bridget’s chapel cemetery and the Glen Banchor road.  There is a diversion into the field above where the trail is closed.

This trail remains closed following extensive storm damage. Updates - Forestry and Land Scotland.

The riverside loop on the Seven Bridges Walk, between Bridge of Gairn and the junction near Polhollick Bridge is closed due to a section washing away in flooding.  An alternate route is already shown as part of the walk route, please use this alternate high route parallel to the A93 instead.

The railway level crossing at Dalwhinnie – at the walkers car park NN 633 846 – has been closed by Network Rail. An alternative point to cross the railway is via the underpass to the south at the Ben Alder cottages (NN 634 841). More information.

• Dalwhinnie waymarked walks:
  - the Loch Ericht Walk loop is no longer possible due to the level crossing closure
  - to reach the start of the Forest Walk and Coachan Wood Viewpoint the above diversion to the railway underpass is required

Significant storm damage and windblown trees from the winter storms – clearance works underway but still many restrictions and path closures. 

Check Forest and Land Scotland website for latest updates.

• Glen Doll car park – open
• Waymarked trails – Corrie Fee (Green) trail – open.
• ALL OTHER WAYMARKED TRAILS ARE CLOSED.
  South Esk trail (Yellow), White Water Trail (White) Jocks Rd and Dounalt Trail (Blue) are all CLOSED due to windblown trees.
• Mountain access routes update – Kilbo path is open, Corrie Fee Path is open, Dounalt Road is open (south side of upper White Water – this is an alternative for Jocks road, which remains closed).
• The Capel Road Track is blocked with trees at OS Grid Ref: NO 2841 7717. This may be bypassed by walking along the forest boundary wall between NO 2834 7763 to NO 2872 7771. Conditions on this alternative route are steep, rocky and rough underfoot.
• Ministers Path – northern branch blocked by fallen trees below Elf Hillock. Alternative to follow southern branch.

• Ministers path closure map