Posts for May, 2022

Returning this summer, we will be opening the gates here at Highland Wildlife Park after hours for you to enjoy the early evening atmosphere!

For four evenings only, wander through the park, drive through the reserve and enjoy the long summer evenings with traditional music and entertainment. With food and drink kiosks available, you can relax to the sound of acoustic music, hear from our keepers about our inhabitants or simply soak up the atmosphere at your own pace.

Don’t forget to capture a lasting summer memory at one of the photo opportunities located around the park!

Gates open at 6.30pm. Please note last entry is 8pm and the event will close at 9.30pm.

Explore the fascinating world of moths and discover why they are so important!

Take a daytime walk through any natural habitat and you’ll be surrounded by a large number of moths, but you probably won’t see any of them because they are so good at hiding. However, by running a light trap overnight, we can catch these nocturnal fliers and take an up-close look at them in the morning.

If you haven’t attended a moth-trapping session before, we can guarantee that you will be amazed by the beauty and diversity of moths. As well as going through the night’s catch, we will talk about rare moths at Insh Marshes, such as Dark Bordered Beauty and Cousin German, and how Cairngorms Connect are monitoring moth communities at a landscape scale.

Some areas may be rough underfoot. The route is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Children over 12 welcome, under 18s with an accompanying adult.

Come and celebrate National Meadows Day with us on a walk to enjoy the beauty of summer wildflowers!

We will walk the Invertromie Trail and see lots of different flowers, from the common – such as bird’s-foot trefoil, bedstraws and stitchworts – to the uncommon – such as rockrose and petty whin. The highlight of the walk will be gorgeous Tromie orchid meadow where we will hope to see five species of orchid, including heath fragrant orchid and small white orchid.

Some areas may be rough underfoot. This 5k/3mile route is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Journey down the Speyside Way from the wonderfully restored Grantown East station, learning about history of the Speyside Line.
At the mouth of the Auchernack burn view the magnificent River Spey and hear how local clearances lead to a crofter curse which came true at the railway bridge over the Burn. Journey to the farm of Auchernack to see the Stones of Strength and hear the many legends of the area.
We will then follow the route back to Grantown East, stopping briefly at the Old Spey Bridge.

Why not visit the unique Carriage Restaurant at the station for lunch after the walk and sample one of their incredible Pizzas or daily specials.

Come for a Wildlife Wander with someone from our knowledgeable team to see some of the amazing wildlife that Summer brings to Insh Marshes.

The breeding season for birds is coming to an end, however there is still plenty of other life to be seen on the marshes and in the meadow. The heather should be in full flower and field gentian may be coming into bloom. Wild flowers like knapweed and scabious provide nectar for butterflies.

We will lookout for the nationally scarce scotch argus butterfly which breeds on the reserve and can be the most common butterfly to be seen in August. Dragonflies like black darter and the impressively large golden ringed may also be seen.

Some areas may be rough underfoot. It is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Come for a Wildlife Wander with someone from our knowledgeable team to see some of the amazing wildlife that Summer brings to Insh Marshes.

The breeding season for birds is coming to an end, however there is still plenty of other life to be seen on the marshes and in the meadow.

Colourful wild flowers include sweetly scented orchids, which attract beautiful butterflies and dragonflies. We will lookout for the scarce scotch argus butterfly which feeds on flowers like sunshine-yellow rock rose.

Some areas may be rough underfoot. It is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Come for a Wildlife Wander with someone from our knowledgeable team to see some of the amazing wildlife that Summer brings to Insh Marshes.

On this leisurely walk, the breeding season is well underway so young birds and other creatures like roe deer will be keeping their parents busy. Lapwing chicks will be feeding, running and hiding while relying on their camouflage and their parents to defend them. The marshes and trail are full of life and colourful, scented flowers, including orchids.

Some areas may be rough underfoot. It is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Explore the tranquil Insh Church with its ancient Pictish Bell. Hear stories of ghostly goings on the ferry, and if you are lucky see the ospreys on their nest.
The walk will also include a chance to have a go at foraging, learning about the folklore of plants as well as their uses.

For Green Health Week we are encouraging you to step outside, connect with and enjoy the Cairngorms National Park and give nature a go!

Whether you’re experiencing nature near your doorstep, or something further afield, there are lots of ways to feel good.

Green Health Week is a promotional campaign and part of NatureScot’s ‘Our Natural Health Service’ initiative. Go to the website for more info!

Join us for a guided woodland wander. Our route will take us along the shore of Loch Garten, wind its way beneath towering pine trees and visit tranquil Loch Mallachie. We will listen for the chirps of crossbills and the trills of crested tits, look for tell-tale signs of red squirrels and explore the undergrowth of Caledonian pine forest.

The walk will follow footpaths and last roughly 3 hours, please wear sturdy footwear and dress appropriately for the weather. Covid safety measures will be in place, more details can be found on the website. Toilets will be available at the beginning and end of the walk. Well-behaved dogs, on a lead, are welcome.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the walk begins.