Abernethy Forest

Abernethy National Nature Reserve
Abernethy Forest, with the Cairngorms in the background.
Map showing the location of Abernethy National Nature Reserve
Map showing the location of Abernethy National Nature Reserve
LocationStrathspey, Highland, Scotland
Coordinates57°15′N 3°38′W / 57.250°N 3.633°W / 57.250; -3.633
Area12,754 hectares[2]
DesignationNatureScot
Established2007[3]: 1 
OwnerRSPB & NatureScot[3]: 1 
Abernethy National Nature Reserve

Abernethy Forest is a remnant of the Caledonian Forest in Strathspey, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It lies within the Cairngorms National Park, close to the villages of Nethy Bridge, Boat of Garten, and Aviemore. The forest is an RSPB reserve, close to Loch Garten Osprey Centre, which is also owned by the RSPB. It is popular with walkers, as there are various trails throughout the reserve.[4] The forest forms part of the wider Abernethy National Nature Reserve.[2]

There is approximately 4,000 hectares of forest within the reserve, and just under half of this is native Caledonian pine forest. Abernethy Forest is one of the largest remaining remnant of Caledonian pine forest in Scotland.[5] The forest is home to a variety of birds and mammals, including Scottish crossbill, red squirrel, wildcat, red deer, black grouse, crested tit and osprey.[3]: 9–11  There is also a capercaillie lek.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference planet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "Abernethy NNR". NatureScot. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference story was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Loch Garten, Abernethy". RSPB. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Abernethy SSSI Citation". NatureScot. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Grazing cattle boost capercaillie habitat". BBC News. Retrieved 8 September 2022.