The UK is full of beautiful and diverse wildlife, but if you live in a town or city you might not get the chance to appreciate much of it. Luckily, there are still places that are protected from the modern world and where you can see wildlife roam freely.

One spot in particular is home to a massive 25% of the UK’s rare and endangered species, set across nine National Nature Reserves, and the amount of wildlife you can see is incredible. From rare birds to mammals, it’s the perfect place to see animals in their natural habitat.

Cairngorms National Park is set in the Scottish Highlands, covering the Cairngorms range of mountains as well as the surrounding green hills. It covers over 1,748 square miles and has three rivers running through it, creating a vast diverse landscape.

On its unique moors and tundras are hundreds of species of breeding birds including the magnificent golden eagle, snow buntings, and red grouse. The River Dee has been designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and here wild salmon, mussels, and otters can be spotted. The surrounding marshland is also full of wader birds, and during the winter migrating geese and swans take up home in the area.

The ancient Caledonian Forest lies within the park, and here you’ll find trees that are the direct descendents of the first pines in Scotland. In-between the trees you may spot a beaver or wild boar, both reintroduced to the area in the early 2000s, and beautiful red deer and squirrels also roam through the forest.

Another rare species to look out for is the Scottish wildcat. While they may look like a household moggy, these adorable striped cats are endangered and have been reintroduced to the area. Although they’re larger and heavier than domestic cat, they’re not generally a threat to humans unless they feel cornered or threatened, so don’t expect to give them a belly rub.

Visitors can follow a wide range of walking and cycling paths, which range from gentle strolls to tougher hikes. Old Logging Way is an easy, accessible route with surfaced paths along the way, yet still allows you to spot deer and birds along the way. The Laggan paths are a series of trails of varying abilities, offering valley views, waterfalls, and rugged landscapes.

Longer paths include the wildcat trail, a circular hike that takes about four hours. The walk takes you through woodlands and moorland, through a huge range of different landscapes that make up this spectacular part of the world.

It’s therefore no surprise that ecologists at Arbtech have deemed Cairngorms National Park the top location in the UK for unforgettable wildlife encounters, thanks to the the rich landscape of wildlife and natural beauty. A spokesperson said: “Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is a powerful reminder of what we have to lose if we don’t act now, and could inspire people to take steps to protect species for future generations.”

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