The Eastern Cairngorms are home to some of Britain’s rarest and most spectacular wildlife. Golden eagles are resident in the area and can be seen by scanning the skyline in areas such as Glen Doll, Glen Muick and Glenshee. Ospreys are becoming more widespread, often fishing at Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, along the river Dee and at many of the small fishing lochs in the area.

In the area’s pinewoods the magnificent and endangered capercaillie is found as is the Scottish crossbill, a bird unique to the Cairngorms area. The high tops are home to dotterell, ptarmigan and snow bunting. Mountain hares are fairly common, often seen at Glen Muick, Morrone Hill and around Gairnshiel.

Red deer frequent the higher ground throughout the area. Particular vantage points are the A93 between Braemar and the Glenshee Ski Centre and Glen Muick. As well as red squirrels in the pinewoods, the lucky visitor may glimpse otters, pine martens or even wildcats.

The lower moorland terrain of the Angus Glens supports large numbers of red grouse and breeding populations of hen harrier, merlin, golden plover, dunlin and short-eared owl. The steep corries and rocky hillsides hold crag-nesting species such as peregrines and raven while ring ouzel occur among the scree slopes. Glen Esk is particularly noted for buzzard and also as a place to see black grouse. Glen Clova is the only glen where twite is regularly recorded, especially near the head of the glen. Caenlochan National Nature Reserve, at the head of Glen Doll, has one of the widest ranges of mountain plant communities and upland birds of any site in Britain.

‘Yet, Caledonia, beloved are thy mountains

Round their white summits though elements war

Though cataracts foam ‘stead of smooth-flowing fountains

I sigh for the valley of Dark Loch na Gar.’

LORD BYRON