Wildlife
Mountain Innovations also run a High Wildlife (Walking)
Weekend in May, where you can particularly bag the mountain wildlife
such as Ptarmigan. For full information (link) Alternatively you can
arrange for a private wildlife guide to take you out to spot the birds
and mammals. Please contact Mountain Innovations directly for further
information.
Dolphin
The Moray Firth Wildlife Centre is right at the mouth of the River Spey at Spey Bay and is well worth seeing. You might see dolphins, otters and ospreys all in the same visit. Chanonry Point is at Fortrose on the Black Isle, just north of Inverness. It is possibly the besst shore-based dolphin viewing site in Europe - dolphins often come within a few metres of the beach.
Mountain Hare
Hillwalkers are most likely to see this animal. However, it does occur
on high ground or moorland over 500 metres, so it is also spotted by
motorists along some of the higher roads.
Otter
Spey Bay is the best spot in the valley for otter watching. Elsewhere - dawn and dusk along quiet stretches of river.
Pine Marten
Local hotspots for pine marten include Glenmore Lodge and Rothiemurchus breidge where the burn leaves Loch Morlich. There is also a hide where you can book an evening with a wildlife expert and have the best opportunity of viewing the Pine Marten. For more information contact Mountain Innovations.
Red Deer
In daylight they are mostly on the high hills. At night they sometimes come down lower to graze in the fields, so they are often seen at dawn and dusk near minor roads along the valley.
Reindeer
Hillwalkers might come acorss wild reindeer almost anywhere on the high Cairngorm plateau. For others is tis best to visit the reindeer centre at Glenmore.
Red Squirrel
Early morning is the best time to see these charming little mammals. They live in the local pie forests and are atracted to gardens and visitor centres that put out nuts for the birds. They are often seen in our garden where we have put up a squirrel feeder on one of the pine trees. They also like to gnaw on the antlers on top of our wood pile.
Seal
Seals are very common at Spey Bay
