Scotland's wildlife riches need little introduction. The country boasts the most spectacular wildlife anywhere in the British Isles, from eagles and wildcats to stags and killer whales. KERRI McGUIRE looks at some of the best places to enjoy wildlife.

Cairngorms National Park

Examples of wildlife: golden eagle and wildcat

THIS superb National Park contains, in its own words, one quarter of Scotland’s native forest as well as one third of UK land above 600 metres. It is home to more breeding farmland waders than the whole of Wales, and has eighty per cent of the UK’s population of capercaille. Just as importantly, it is "blessed with a staggering 25% of the UK's threatened species." The woodlands, mountains, moorlands, nature reserves and lochs and rivers positively teem with wildlife.

https://cairngorms.co.uk. http://www.cairngormsnature.co.uk/

Mull

Examples of wildlife: Otters, whales, dolphins, and white-tailed sea eagles and golden eagles

Mull is the fourth largest island surrounding Britain and the home of many species of wildlife. On the coastline of the island you will find many otters. Although they mainly hunt in the sea, the otters usually bring larger prey to the surface. Red deer and roe deer also inhabit the island. The Discover Mull tour website speaks enthusiastically of hen harriers, short-eared owls, porpoises and bottlenose dolphins.

Websites include http://www.isle-of-mull.net/attractions/wildlife/, http://www.mullwildlife.co.uk and http://www.discovermull.co.uk

Knapdale Forest

Examples of wildlife – wildcat, otter, pine marten

SEVEN miles northwest of Lochgilphead at the north end of the Kintyre peninsula, Knapdale Forest, a two-hour drive from Glasgow, was the location of a successful Scottish Beaver Trial, which led to the reintroduction of beavers to the UK for the first time in 400 years. Beavers are now granted protected status in Scotland. It’s understood that Knapdale has between 24 and 36 beavers.

RSPB Brodgar nature reserve, Orkney

Examples of wildlife: seals, otters and birds

A BIRD-watcher’s paradise, nestled between the lochs of Harray and Stenness. "Curlews, drumming snipe, lapwings, dunlins, redshanks and oystercatchers all call this place home", says the RSPB, with justifiable pride. Summer is also a splendid time to see the rare great yellow bumblebee. Golden plovers and lapwings are an especially attractive sight on sunny days.

Website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/brodgar/

Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve, Perthshire

Examples of wildlife – deer, birds and squirrels

LAST Saturday it was reported that an osprey chick, the first of the season, had hatched at this reserve, near Dunkeld, Perthshire. The hatching was watched by delighted staff and volunteers at the Scottish Wildlife Trust site. A second osprey chick of the season hatched 24 hours after the first. The loch also attracts other animals such as the red squirrel, the otter and other small birds like the wood warbler. The area attracts deer and birds throughout the whole year.

Website: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/loch-of-the-lowes/

Falls of Clyde wildlife reserve, South Lanarkshire

Examples of wildlife – birds, badgers, otter

THE Falls of Clyde is only a mile south of Lanark and is home to much wildlife, including a large range of woodland creatures and sea animals. The beautiful scenery and magnificent waterfalls attract all kinds of animals. In excess of 100 species of birds, including dipper, raven and kingfisher, have been recorded, says the Scottish Wildlife Trust. There have also been badgers spotted in the forest. If you walk along the river you may spot otters diving in the water. Look out, too, for Daubenton’s bats in the evenings.

Website: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/falls-of-clyde/

Ben Mor Coigach

Examples of wildlife – wildcat, otter, pine marten

This strikingly beautiful area north of Ullapool covers more than 5,000 hectares and the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s largest reserves. The wildcat can be seen here all year round, according to the Trust, as can the pine marten and the water vole. There are amazing views and you can walk for miles up the hills or across the river bank. Golden eagles and Great Skuas can be glimpsed in the skies above the Postman’s Path.

Website: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/ben-mor-coigach/

Rahoy Hills wildlife reserve, on the peninsula of Morvern, western Highlands

Examples of wildlife – birds, wildcat, deer, otter

GOLDEN eagles, sea eagles, red deer on the open moors, and so much more: what’s not to like about this reserve, five miles north of Lochaline, off the A884? Go birdwatching and see species of bird like the wren or the song thrush. Go on woodland walks where you can see red deer, and eagles. The best time of year to visit this wildlife reserve would be spring or early summer as that is when you can see the rare Arctic alpines. It’s been reported, however, that these hardy plants are becoming increasingly rare as the climate gets warmer and warmer.

Website: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/rahoy-hills/

Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve

Examples of wildlife – eagles and peregrine falcon

ALLOW us to quote these lines from VisitScotland: "Like a giant stone armchair, Corrie Fee is a wild amphitheatre of rocky landscape sculpted by the power of ice and water. The area is now a haven for the plants, birds and animals that are equipped to cope with the challenges of this harsh mountain environment. If you're lucky, you might spot a golden eagle or peregrine falcon soaring overhead." Corrie Fee, adds Scottish Natural Heritage, is well known for the rare plants growing on its cliffs and in gullies, like Alpine blue-sowthistle.

Website: https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/scotlands-national-nature-reserves/corrie-fee-national-nature-reserve

Montrose Basin, Rossie Braes, Angus

Examples of wildlife – birds and fish

This wildlife centre is the enclosed estuary of the South Esk River. The reserve inhabits more than 80,000 birds that migrate from all over the world. Species include the kingfisher, the pink-footed goose and the common tern. The reserve is also great for families, with guided walks and many children’s activities. There also educational programmes for school children which run all year round. The reserve has become a popular fishing-spot for ospreys too. Best times to visit: April-August for sand martins; October to February for wintering geese, anytime for wildfowl and waders.

Website: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/montrose-basin/

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Websites of interest:

https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/scotlands-wildlife/

http://www.wild-scotland.org.uk/species/scat/6/terrestrial-mammals/

https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/wildlife/