Mammals
The thrill of spotting red squirrels chasing each other up a tree, a shy otter on the riverbank, or hearing the roar of rutting stags cannot be underestimated. No matter how many times you are lucky enough to spot these iconic creatures, watching mammals thriving in their natural habitat is one of life's joys.
And though some of our best loved mammals are not an uncommon sight across Scotland, the Cairngorms is home to rarer species like the mountain hare, pine marten, beaver, and even the endangered Scottish wildcat. Some of these creatures are very good at hiding from people, and so even seasoned wildlife watchers may never lay eyes on them, but here you can learn all about the quirks, skills and characteristics that make these species so special.
Alert
Relevant alerts
-
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Friday 29 May until Monday 1 June. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.