Perhaps the most iconic species of the Scottish Highlands, red deer can be seen across Alladale’s glens, hill sides and high tops. During the red deer rut (breeding season) in the Autumn, red stags (males) can be heard roaring to each other to compete for access to the hinds (females).

Aspen is relatively rare in Scotland as it rarely sets seeds. It propages mostly from suckers that grow from the root system, so once its removed from an area it is slow to recolonise. Aspen is one of the priority species of Alladale’s tree planting efforts.

Alladale has key salmon spawning grounds, which takes place from November to December. Salmon ‘parr’ live in Alladale’s two rivers for two to three years before returning to the Atlantic. On their return legs, you can see them heroically leaping up Glencalvie Falls

Due to its small size, lesser twayblade is an often overlooked plant, but it is a beautiful native orchid found in Alladale’s heather moorlands and pinewoods.