The Cairngorms

The Cairngorms National Park is the largest National Park in the Britain. A lot of this pristine environment is untouched, creating a landscape like no other.

It is home to some of Britains most specialist wildlife that live in this tough and testing environment.

It provides a unique habitat which is home to many rare plants, birds and animals.

Its one of my favourite places in the country, a beautiful, wild and unforgiving place which adds to its beauty.

Snow Buntings are a beautiful little bird that is almost exclusively a winter visitor to our shores. It is also a very rare breeding species, confined largely to the high tops of the Scottish mountains, particularly the Cairngorms.

This population is very small, most recently estimated at under 80 pairs. It’s always a joy to see them flying around at the base of the Cairngorm Mountain where they feed on exposed vegetation, carving out a living in one of the most extreme environments in the country.

Red Squirrels are gorgeous mammals, they are smaller and shier than their grey cousins. Sadly though in England their numbers are low due a disease passed onto them by the Grey Squirrels known as squirrel pox. Scotland is their main stronghold and it’s nice to see them doing well here.

The Mountain Hare, famed for their ability to change the colour of their fur from brown to white with the change of seasons. They are the true masters of camouflage.

Crested Tits are beautiful little birds that only live in this part of the UK and are very iconic to this area. With their punk style crests they use on top of their heads to communicate with each they are truly a wonderful little bird to witness.

We visited a beautiful Caledonian Forest where these stunning little birds live and we had some incredible encounters.

The Caledonian Forest takes its name from the Romans who called Scotland ‘Caledonia’ meaning wooded heights and covered much of the Highlands and what we know as the Cairngorms National Park today.

It’s also home to the very beautiful Highland cow, this one is named Buster.

I run my own photography tour to this special place, where I help all my clients with everything from camera settings, using light, fieldcraft and working ethically.

Our base there is the lovely stone built Grant Arms Hotel. Many of these images were taken on my last trip there. Some alongside my clients, who got some incredible photos throughout the week.

Thank you to the Grant Arms Hotel for looking after us all, the food, service and general helpfulness is always brilliant.

Thank you to my clients for all your efforts, the respect you gave to the wildlife and the many laughs we had during the week.

If you’d like to join me on my 2025 trip, then click on the link below for all the information, previous client testimonials and booking details, many thanks.

Scottish Winter Wildlife Tour 2025