Cairngorm Lodges

Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms area is home to some of Britain's rarest and most spectacular wildlife. Cairngorm Lodges can recommend Braemar Highland Safaris for spectacular half day land rover safaris deep into the heart of the Cairngorm mountains. We can also recommend Walk Deeside for wildlife activity holidays, guided walks and 4x4 safaris in Glen Tanar

Cairngorm Lodges being located on the edge of the UK’s largest National Park can be a paradise for the wildlife enthusiasts or the casual observer. During a stay at any of Cairngorm Lodges holiday homes you have an opportunity to observe various species in their natural environment.

If you are lucky you may glimpse otters, pine martens and even wildcats in our pinewoods, which are also home to red squirrels. Once widespread throughout the UK, their numbers have been steadily declining so that Royal Deeside is one of the last places where they can be seen frequently. They are smaller than the more common (and less attractive) grey squirrel and red squirrels are a daily sighting next to the self catering cabins at Cairngorm Lodges!

Golden eagles are resident in the area and can often be seen in the skies in areas such as Glen Muick, Glenshee and Upper Donside. Ospreys are becoming more widespread and can be spotted fishing at Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, ( adjacent to Cairngorm Lodges) along the River Dee and at many of the small fishing lochs in the area.

The magnificent and endangered capercaillie is found in our pinewoods, along with the Scottish crossbill - a bird that is unique to the Cairngorms. Our higher mountains are home to species such as dotterell, ptarmigan and snow bunting and you should also be able to spot mountain hares, which are fairly common in areas such as on Morven ( close by Cairngorm Lodges), Glen Muick and Gairnshiel on Donside.

Our lower moorland terrain supports large numbers of red grouse and breeding populations of hen harrier, golden plover, dunlin and short-eared owl. You may also see crag-nesting species such as peregrines and ravens on our rocky hillsides and steep corries.

Magnificent red deer frequent the higher ground throughout our area. In October, the hills can reverberate with the roars of rutting stags as they clash antlers and vie to maintain their herds of females. Particular vantage points include Glen Muick and the main A93 road between Braemar and Glenshee Ski Centre. Some of the more notable creatures that have been spotted in the local area include.

Eagles – Buzzards – Kestrels - Sparrow Hawks – Capercaillie – Jays – Cuckoos – Owls – Kingfishers- Treecreepers - Wild Pheasant – Dragonfly - Red and Roe Deer – Otters - Pine Martins - Scottish wildcat - Red Squirrels

 Please note – many of the species in the area are endangered & protected by law therefore we ask that you observe the country code.