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1 Dec 2020

Wildlife spotter’s guide: Glencoe

A close-up of the head of a red deer stag. It is looking directly at the camera. It has large furry ears, with smooth antlers rising above. Its dark fur beneath its paler face is quite shaggy.
Red deer
A walk in Glencoe never disappoints. Surrounded by some of Scotland’s most-loved scenery, wildlife treats abound for those who tread quietly and carefully.

Glencoe is a National Nature Reserve, recognised for its rare habitats and the quality of the conservation work our ranger team do here to balance the needs of wildlife and the many people who visit here every year.

Click on the pictures below for a little more information on some of the species you may be lucky enough to see on your visit.

A dipper stands on a rock, facing the camera. It has a brown body, head and wings, with a bright white chest and neck patch. A brightly patterned moth rests on some plants and lichen, with its wings spread out. Its outer wings have brown and white splodge markings; its inner wings are orange with deep blue spots. It has a large furry head and white antennae. A golden eagle perched on a branch, with its back to the camera but turning its head to the right. A mountain hare sits in a grassy field, with bright blue sky in the background. Its long ears, with a black tip, are raised straight up from its head. It is looking towards the camera. It sits on its hind legs, but rests its front paws on the ground as well. A pine marten creeps along a woodland floor, its body very close to the ground and its nose smelling the leaves in front. It has a long busy tail, and a white bib. A ptarmigan sits on a rocky area, looking to the right. It has brown and white mottle feathers, and a red stripe above its eye. A close-up of the head of a red deer stag. It is looking directly at the camera. It has large furry ears, with smooth antlers rising above. Its dark fur beneath its paler face is quite shaggy. Two swans float on smooth, bright blue water, towards the grassy bank. They are all white except their beaks, which are yellow with a black tip. Ripples of water spread out around them.

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Glencoe National Nature Reserve

Dramatic mountains, rare beauty and haunting history in the heart of the Highlands

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