Scottish wildlife we love
If like us, you love spotting beautiful local creatures while you are hiking or walking, then Scotland is the place for you!
If you are planning to undertake a long (or short) walk in Scotland, then make sure to add our favourites to your list, and why not see if you can spot them all?
Red Squirrel
An elusive animal to spot, Scotland’s beautiful red squirrels are smaller than their grey counterparts and sport little tufts on the top of their ears, giving the illusion that they are pricking up their ears to hear your conversation!
You may spot red squirrels in just about any Scottish wood, but the absolute best places to see them are in the pine forests of the Highlands and Dumfries & Galloway.
While you are walking keep an eye out for large, untidy dreys (nests) high up in the trees, and pinecones, that look like chewed apple cores lying on the floor of the forest.
Puffin
These adorable little birds are tough too, withstanding the sometimes demanding conditions in the waters off the coasts of Scotland. They are easily spotted in the waters and on the rocks around the Isle of Mull, Isle of Staffa, and Orkney, among others.
The best time to spot these colourful birds with their deep rainbow-coloured bills, and comical stripe over their eye is between April and June months when they are actively nesting.
Do your best to grab a snap or video of these cutie pies with a bill full of fish or waddling about on the rocks.
Deer
Scotland plays home to four species of deer - red, roe (both of these are native species) and fallow and sika.
You will never forget your first encounter with a deer on the moor, as they lift their majestic heads and make eye contact with you – make sure to have your camera ready, as these sprightly animals can disappear in the blink of an eye into the woods or shrubbery.
Scotland has the biggest population of red deer in Europe, and roe deer have also expanded in range, in central Scotland most noticeably.
Highland Cow
Affectionately known as the ‘Heilan Coo’ by the Scots, these beautiful and peaceful cows are not technically a wild animal, but we just had to add them to our list.
Their trademark big horns are used for foraging through the snow to reach the grass underneath for grazing, and of course, are useful for scratching an itch – if they can reach it!
Spot them in fields and on the moors around Scotland, their shaggy coats range in colour from dirty beige, to red and black and their big brown eyes will just melt your heart – now you know why there are so many websites and Instagram accounts dedicated to the Heilan Coo, and your trip to Scotland would not be complete without a cow picture!
Grey Seals
An aquatic mammal worth keeping an eye out for are Scotland’s grey seals, which spend much of their time in the water, but do love to sun their tummies on the rocks.
They are mainly grey in colour, with darker blotches and spots giving them each a unique patterning and can live to be up to 40 years old!
The cute fluffy, white pups are best spotted between October and December, where they stay on the land until they have shed their coats and about tripled in size before they head to the sea to begin hunting for themselves.
Have you seen any of these animals on your walks? Comment below and let us know which is your favourite!
See you soon, The Walkers Club Team