| Braemar
makes an excellent base for any visitor with an interest in
Scotland's wildlife - both large and small. Old pinewoods and
plantations, birchwood, moorland, high mountain top, river grazings
and farmland are just some of the habitats to be explored.
With mature woodland and a meandering river, the landscape
around Braemar holds much for thebirdwatcher and botanist.
Look out for capercaillie, black grouse, woodcock, siskin
and Scottish crossbill in the woodlands of upper Deeside.
Common sandpiper, dipper, grey wagtail and goosander are to
be found along the riverside. Higher up, hen harrier, peregrine
and buzzard may be seen, and on some of the highest tops,
dotterel and achance of a golden eagle sighting.
The nearest nature reserve is close at hand. Morrone Birkwood
(birchwood) is in a beautiful setting above the village on
the side of Morrone Hill, with open aspects looking north
to the Cairngorms. Ecologists say it has a close resemblance
to the woodlands of parts of Norway and is a reminder of how
large tracts of upland Scotland would have looked in earlier
times. Red deer graze the wood and can often be seen. Woodland
birds include siskins and various tit species, with ring ouzel
on the open hill. Flowers to enjoy include globeflower and
wood cranesbill, with wetter ground holding Scottish asphodel,
yellow saxifrage and various orchid species. (View these from
the track.)
Red deer are very easily seen from the road, especially in
the cooler months on the open hillslopes to the south, or
on the Inverey road. No visit to Braemar is complete without
spectacular views of these locals. In autumn, the glens all
around are filled with the sound of roaring stags, as the
annual rut gets under way. Take time to watch them and enjoy
what appears to be an empty hillside suddenly coming alive
with animals as your eye gradually picks out the herd.
Other places within easy reach of Braemar to enjoy the natural
environment include Glen Tanar and the Muir of Dinnet near
Aboyne, and Glen Muick near Ballater. The highest tops can
be most easily accessed from the Cairnwell and even in the
area around the ski carpark and chairlift, botanists can enjoy
a good selection of arctic-alpine species such as starry saxifrage,
cloudberry and alpine lady's mantle. Higher up on exposed
ridges there is trailing azalea and purple saxifrage, as well
as bird species such as ptarmigan and (in winter) snow bunting.
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Stag
Scotch Angus
Capercaille |
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