A town at the heart of a National Park

When you live or stay in Grantown-on-Spey, you have nature on your doorstep. The Anagach Woods trail and Beachen Wood Trails lead you into ancient natural woodlands. The woods are full of aspen, birch, cherry, rowan and willow, as well as Scots Pine. Beachen Wood includes a viewpoint over the waterfalls at Dreggie Burn, and a higher viewpoint from a cairn looking over the whole of the Cairngorms range to the west. Anagach Woods lead down to the banks of the River Spey and one of the trails follows the Speyside Way. With eight trails to choose from, there's something for every day and every season.

Closer to nature. Closer to you.

These woods are home to birds such as capercaillie, crested tits, black grouse, crossbills and others, as well as roe deer, red squirrels, pine marten and badgers. Down by the river more wildlife hugs the banks, feeding and playing by the water's edge and in the depths. The third largest river in Scotland, the Spey is famous for its salmon and trout fishing, but otters are also on the lookout for these fish, as is the osprey, plunging with outstretched talons to seize its prey. The riverbanks provide a glimpse of dippers and wagtails and the occasional kingfisher, and a canoe or kayak trip gets you even closer to nature.

A little further afield, the nine nature reserves of the Cairngorms National Park bring you close to rare and sometimes endangered species - the Cairngorms is home to 25% of the UK's endangered species, including wildcat, snow bunting, lapwings and dotterel. Local guides can help you spot wildlife in season, leading you to the best places and helping you to tread lightly as you explore.

Take a walk on the wild side

The upper slopes of the Cairngorms are home to ptarmigan and mountain hare, elusive and hard to spot. Easier to meet are the animals of the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, Britain's only free-ranging herd of reindeer. Tame and friendly, 150 reindeer have roamed here since 1952, and families love the opportunity to meet the herd. To find out even more about local wildlife, 13 Rangers are based around the Park, as well as the Mountain Ranger Service. They provide tours and organise events to share their expertise and stories.