Posted by Maris on 18th Mar 2024
13 things you might not know about the Cairngorms National Park
1, Some of the most peculiar animals in the UK can also be found in the Cairngorms National Park because of its extremely unique climate and geography. Almost 25% of the population of all vulnerable species in the UK can be found there, including animals like capercaillie, pine marten, golden eagle, red squirrel, and wild cat. The arctic plateau is especially attractive to the ptarmigan, a gamebird that can only be found in the Scottish Highlands, and they decide to settle there.
2. It's the greatest area in Britain to see the Scottish Crossbill, a bird that can only be found in Britain.
3. Its animals and plants are equally impressive. Did you know that the Park is home to the tiniest tree on Earth? "The smallest willow" Or that 40% of the Park is covered by the stunning heather that blankets the landscape? As a result, the wide variety of heather provides food for the numerous free-roaming deer and ideal nesting grounds for birds like capercaillie and red grouse.
4. Because of the exceptional qualities of the Cairngorms National Park, a number of locations have been designated as "SSSI"s, or Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Craigendarroch, for instance, is on the eastern side. In order to preserve the ecology, there are nine National Nature Reserves spread across the park. Corrie Fee, Glen Tanar, Mar Lodge, and Muir of Dinnet are all located on the east side of the park.
5. The largest National Park in the United Kingdom is the Cairngorms. With an area of 4528 square kilometers, it is 40% greater than the Lake District, twice the size of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and larger than Luxembourg as a whole!
6. A rare variety of pine found solely in Scotland and Norway can be found in the Cairngorms, which make up 25% of all of Scotland's forestland.
7. According to an additional mythology, Ben Macdui, the largest peak in the Park, is home to Am Fear Liath Mòr, a "big grey man" in Gaelic. He is regarded by some as a yeti, while others think he is an apparition or brocken phantom that appears in the shadows when the sun breaks through the mist.
8. This area has some of the UK's cleanest lochs and rivers. The term "Devan," which means "Goddess," is exactly where the River Dee gets its name; it's a tribute to its majesty, beauty, and purity. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the entire east side of the Cairngorms National Park is referred to as "Deeside," taking its name from the river.
9. Because of its long history of ties to the monarchy, "Deeside" is also frequently referred to as "Royal Deeside." These ties are still present today since Queen Elizabeth II and her family still love their hideaway at Balmoral Castle. It seems that the Queen really enjoys taking rides on horses and exploring the Balmoral Estate in her Range Rover. Furthermore, the Queen is "most happy there," according to Princess Eugenie, her granddaughter.
10. Following Queen Victoria's visit, the Royal Lochnagar Distillery, located close to Crathie, was granted a Royal Warrant in 1848. Prince Charles, who visited the distillery in 1988 to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the first royal visit, is still a fan of the establishment. You may truly live like a king this side of the Park, as many of the neighborhood establishments hold royal warrants!
11. It is well known that Prince Charles adores the Cairngorms National Park. He is referred to be the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland. He loved the region so much, in fact, that the pavilion at the recently constructed Braemar Highland Games Centre bears his name. This is a thank you for his charitable work, The Prince's Foundation, on behalf of this local business and others in the community. Prince Charles and his family are frequent attendees of Braemar's Highland Games and are known for their enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
12. You may even see some of Prince Charles's and Queen Victoria's personal watercolor works at the Fife Arms, a posh hotel in Braemar. Great artists like Bruegel, Gerhard Richter, Lucian Freud, and Pablo Picasso are on show with this piece of art. In the hotel's library, there is also a wax replica of Queen Victoria created by the renowned Madame Tussauds museum in London.
13. The Park is home to three of Scotland's five ski resorts: Glenshee, the Lecht, and Cairngorm Mountain.