Scotland is home to around 75% of the UK’s red squirrel population. You can spot some of the most iconic Scottish wildlife in Braemar and the surrounding area, including the red squirrel which is native to the UK. Keep a close eye out of your cabin window when staying with us, as they can often be seen climbing through the trees or scampering across the ground between cabins. Their agility and acrobatics are absolutely fascinating to watch!
Sadly their numbers have declined significantly, to only around 120,000 in Scotland. This is largely due to the non-native grey squirrel and destruction to their woodland. However, recent conservation efforts have helped them make a comeback. There is still a lot of work to do towards continuing the success of this, find out how you can get involved here.
You can often see them in and around Balmoral Estate and also the Morrone Birkwood forest and Mar Lodge Estate. Autumn is when they are most active on the grounds of the forests when they will be gathering food for the colder months. Early mornings or late afternoons are the most common times to spot them out foraging.
Red squirrels play an essential role in the ecosystem, in so many ways. Their nut-burying habits help regenerate forests by spreading seeds across the landscape. Quite often they will hide nuts and seeds in trees and earth and forget where they hid them! So they are left to grow into new plants and trees.
Patience is key when it comes to spotting red squirrels. Listen carefully for rustling in the trees as they climb up the bark and jump from branch to branch. Stay quiet and keep a respectful distance to get the best observation experience as they go about their business!