The Highlands are a largely unspoilt area and its raw natural beauty translates into unique wildlife and fauna that won’t be seen anywhere else in the UK.
Here you’ll find the largest mammal in the UK, the Red Deer, and Golden Eagles that soar above the sky, or elusive Pine Martens scurrying around the woodlands.
In this article, we’ll delve a little deeper into the type of wildlife you’ll see across this wonderful land and where to find them.
Red Deer
As noted, Red Deer are the largest mammal native to the UK and they are synonymous with Highlands culture.
With autumn approaching, one of Scotland’s great spectacles of nature will soon be unfolding with the famous deer rut which sees the beginning of the mating season and stags locking horns with each other for dominance of the land.
The best places to spot the amazing Red Deer include the Cairngorms National Park, Isle of Skye, and Glencoe.
Otters
Head over to the west coast of the Highlands and you’ll encounter a larger otter population than anywhere else in the UK.
Playful, cheeky, though a little evasive, otters can be seen year-round but you’ll need to be patient!
Otters can be spotted across lochs, rivers and coasts but some of the safest bets include Kylea Otter Hide in Skye and Garbh Eilean wildlife hide on the shores of Loch Sunart.
Pine Marten
The European pine marten is nocturnal, rare and confines itself largely to wooded habitats.
For the unordained, a pine marten is a member of the weasel family. Martens can be identified by their long, bushy tail and pale yellow ‘bib’ on their chin.
These creatures are generally nocturnal but your best chances of spotting them are on the Isle of Mull, Trossachs National Park and Cairngorms National Park.
Golden Eagle
Here’s a quiz question – what is the top predator in the Scottish countryside?
The subtitle gives it away: the Golden Eagle!
These incredible birds have a wingspan about the size of a door and are skilled hunters. Whilst they can be spotted throughout the year, they’re generally still hard to spot so you’ll still need a bit of luck.
The majestic Golden Eagle is largely confined to remote parts of the Highland’s upland forests and its largest populations are in Mull, Skye, Glenmore, and Glen Affric.
Highland Cow
The Scottish Highland Cow is iconic in Scottish culture. With their unique shaggy appearance, red/orange tinge and pointed horns, the Highland Cow (often pronounced ‘coo’) can be spotted throughout the Highlands.
Should you be driving throughout the region then keep your wits, the Highland Cow can make their way onto the winding roads!
Minke Whales
Head to Skye or some of the other Hebrides between April and October and you might be lucky enough to spot a Minke Whale in the pristine Scottish waters.
One of the smallest species of ‘baleen whale’, these curious creatures will often approach vessels in the water and make for a remarkable sight.
Wildlife Across The Highlands
This list hasn’t even scratched the surface of the abundance of wildlife that you will find across this fertile land.
Puffins, dolphins, ospreys, black grouse, red squirrels, even dolphins – for a lover of wildlife, there’s probably no better place in the British Isles than the Highlands.
Should you wish to embark on a wildlife adventure, do make sure to do your research beforehand as some of these animals can be notoriously hard to find.
Alternatively, you may want to explore some of the wildlife tour companies that operate across the region.
What are some of your unforgettable wildlife experiences in the Highlands?
Let us know in the comments below!
