The red squirrel’s “cute factor” is undeniable, and in winter they are at their fluffiest and most attractive, as their coats grow thicker because of the cold weather.
The red is Scotland’s only native squirrel, yet sadly the species is under thr
eat. Over the last 80 years, the UK’s red squirrel numbers have declined alarmingly and Scotland is now home to around only 171,000 red squirrels – 75 per cent of the remaining UK population.
LOCH OF THE LOWES, Perthshire
www.swt.org.uk/Loch-of-the-Lowes-visitor-centreThis Scottish Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre, near Dunkeld, is a perfect place to get up close and personal with red squirrels. Regularly spotted from the centre’s viewing window, Scotland’s iconic reds can be watched eating from feeders and playing in the trees.
The centre also operates a live web-cam to spot red squirrels from the comfort of your own home. It is open all year between 10am and 5pm.
ABERNETHY (INCLUDING DELL WOODS), nr Nethybridge, Highlands
www.nnr-scotland.org.ukVisit the largest native Scots pine wood in Britain at Abernethy, located only one mile from Nethybridge and nine miles from Aviemore, to see red squirrels thriving in one of their favoured habitats.
If you can’t get to the woods in person, you can also enjoy the “virtual squirrels” via the webcam which is focused on the feeders at the RSPB’s Abernethy Forest nature reserve (www.rspb.org.uk/webcams/feeders).
THE RED SQUIRREL CAFÉ Foyers, Highlands See red squirrels Big Brother style at this café opposite the Post Office in Foyers near Loch Ness.
Thanks to purpose-built nesting boxes which have been kitted out with CCTV cameras, visitors can enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee while watching the red squirrels in their domestic habitat.
The camera images are displayed on monitors, and the cameras can be moved via a joystick, giving squirrel watchers the opportunity to explore and investigate the nesting boxes as they desire.
DRUMLANRIG CASTLE, Dumfries and Galloway
www.drumlanrig.comSteeped in history, this unique and historic Scottish castle, formerly a stronghold of the Douglas clan, offers tours, beautiful gardens, championship mountain bike trails and cycle routes.
Plus, more importantly for squirrel-watchers, wildlife and woodland walks where spotting our native reds is almost guaranteed.
The castle, gardens and country park are open from Good Friday until September, but the nature walks are open all year.
DUNDEE
www.dundeeredsquirrels.co.uk The City of Discovery offers probably your best chance of seeing a red squirrel in a city in Scotland.
All of the parks and green spaces within the city limits – including Camperdown Park, Caird Park and Clatto Reservoir, which are open all year round – are visited by red squirrels, though your best chance of a close view is probably the Templeton Woods visitor centre on the city’s outskirts. Dundee is justifiably proud of its red squirrels, and encourages members of the public who spot one (as well as any of the non-native grey squirrels) to fill in a recording form on the website.
