Search by A-Z

Where lowland and highland meet

Take your pick of tranquil walks on a wooded isle, or head down to the loch shore in search of fishing osprey. Listen out for the distinctive call of wintering geese flying overhead in their constantly changing formations. Or contemplate the peaceful paddling of wigeon, teal and shelduck. On Inchcailloch island, a springtime carpet of wildflowers awaits. Insect-eating birds dart from tree to tree, and fallow deer watch in reproachful silence.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, NatureScot and RSPB Scotland manage Loch Lomond NNR. Find out more:

Wild beauty of the Cairngorms

Mar Lodge Estate encompasses some of Scotland's most remote and wild land at the heart of the Cairngorms. It’s a landscape of dramatic mountains, moorlands and tumbling rivers. The mountains are home to some fantastic wildlife – including ptarmigan, golden eagles and mountain hares. The moorland comes alive with the roar of red stags in the autumn rut, and elusive otters are occasionally seen in the Quoich wetlands. Remnants of ancient Caledonian pine forest shelter crossbills, red squirrels and pine martens.

The National Trust for Scotland manages Mar Lodge Estate NNR. Find out more:

The wild heartland

Moine Mhòr is a mosaic of mossy hummocks and open pools rising in a shallow, peaty dome. Fast-moving hen harriers quarter the moss for prey, and summer light picks out the glint of a dragonfly. In autumn the reserve is dominated by the deep red tones of sphagnum moss, soaking up water like a sponge.

NatureScot manages Moine Mhor NNR. Find out more:

A magical mosaic

Muir of Dinnet blends woodland, heath, open water and an impressive example of nature’s sculptural work, all on one site. Visit the ‘Vat’, a giant pothole carved by a huge meltwater stream during the last Ice Age. Elsewhere, wander through birch woodlands, watch for the flash of a damselfly’s wings or savour the peace and tranquillity of a summer reflection in the clear waters of the lochs.

NatureScot manages Muir of Dinnet NNR. Find out more:

A seabird skyscraper

A dramatic island with soaring cliffs, Noss is home to an amazing array of nesting seabirds. In spring and summer, gannets, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes seem to occupy every available nook and cranny on the cliffs while great skuas nest further inland. A coastal path meanders through colourful patches of flower-filled grassland.

NatureScot manages Noss NNR. Find out more:

Life on the edge

As you approach Rum, the rugged mountains set a dramatic stage for spectacular wildlife and archaeology. Circling eagles glide overhead, majestic red deer graze the hillsides and otters frolic between sea and land. In summer, you’ll hear the otherwordly calls of Manx shearwaters as they return to the island at dusk. And all the time, the brooding mountains with their ancient history overlook everything.

NatureScot manages Rum NNR. Find out more:

A seabird spectacular

Sheer cliffs loom from the sea at St Abb’s Head, giving dramatic views of the Berwickshire coastline an early summer home to nesting seabirds. Watch the constantly moving masses of birds in the narrow inlets, or admire their swooping flight as they head out to sea. Rocky grassland at the cliff top is dotted with colourful flowers and butterflies. The clear waters of the St Abb’s and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine reserve support a wealth of marine life.

The National Trust for Scotland manages St Abb's Head NNR. Find out more:

Wild and wet

The natural barriers of inland cliffs and a seaward ridge of sand dunes protect the St Cyrus grasslands from the ravages of the weather. In summer the reserve is awash with colour – from the purple of the clustered bellflower to the delicate hues of butterflies and moths. Overhead, peregrine falcons circle high in the air, watching and waiting to pounce on their prey.

NatureScote manages St Cyrus NNR. Find out more:

A world apart

With its dramatic landscape of sheer cliffs and sea stacks, St Kilda feels like a place perched on the edge of the world. It’s Europe’s most important seabird breeding area and includes one of the world’s largest northern gannet colonies. St Kilda past is enigmatic. The people who lived here had a unique lifestyle, wholly dependent on the riches of the seas around Britain’s most remote point.

The National Trust for Scotland manages St Kilda NNR. Find our more:

Island of inspiration

A small island with a giant reputation, Staffa has been attracting visitors for centuries. Come and marvel at the imposing dark columns of volcanic rock that make up the island’s cliffs. Visit the famous Fingal’s Cave – a huge sea cave formed by the constant battering of the Atlantic Ocean. A rich mix of seabirds – including puffins, fulmars and black guillemots – make the island their summer home.

The National Trust for Scotland manages Staffa NNR. Find our more: