Nature Reserves, Museums and Tourist Attractions in the Aberdeen and Grampian Highlands

Balmoral Estate Ranger Service

Guided tours of the estate, plus a programme of special themed guided walks during the spring, summer and autumn months.

www.balmoralcastle.com

Forvie (National Nature Reserve)

The coastal heath and sand dunes alongside Ythan Estuary are home to Britains largest colony of breeding eider ducks, along with a wide selection of other wildfowl, geese and waders.

NNR website - Forvie

Glen Tanar (National Nature Reserve)

Native pinewoods in the glen provide the perfect habitat for red squirrels, capercaillie and Scottish crossbills, along with other pinewood species.

NNR website - Glen Tanar

Longhaven Cliffs (SWT Nature Reserve)

The granite cliffs provide nest sites for thousands of breeding birds including kittiwakes, guillemots, fulmars, puffins and razorbills.In the coastal heath on top of the cliffs grows grass-of-Parnassus and other specialised heathland plants.

SWT website - Longhaven Cliffs Reserve

Muir of Dinnet (National Nature Reserve)

Habitats include heath, bog, reedbeds and woodland. Local species include otters, breeding birds, dragonflies, mosses and wintering wildfowl.

NNR website - Muir of Dinnet

St. Cyrus (National Nature Reserve)

The sand dunes and cliffs are home to over 200 species of moth. Also breeding fulmars, stonechats, terns and skylarks.

NNR website - St Cyrus

University of Aberdeen Zoology Museum

Using the resources of the Zoology Museum and the Cruickshank Botanic Garden, and a hands-on activity classroom, the Centre aims to increase public interest in the the living world.

www.abdn.ac.uk/zoologymuseum

WDCS Wildlife Centre

The centre includes a new visitors' exhibition and a developing series of education and public awareness initiatives.

www.wdcs.org/wildlifecentre