Flora & Fauna
The whole course of the River Spey including the area in front of the Visitor Centre is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its populations of Atlantic Salmon, sea lamprey, otters and fresh water pearls. The nearby waters of the Moray Firth are the domain of whales, bottle nosed dolphins and seals.
The wide range of habitats from river, woodland, moorland and mountains around Aberlour abound with wildlife. Around 60 species of birds and bats breed in this area, Resident birds include birds of prey such as the eagle, osprey, buzzard, owls, hawks and hen harriers. Resident smaller birds such as crossbill, goldcrest, tree creepers and crested tits are joined by our 40 species of summer visitors such as the tree pipit, redstart, grey wagtail, swallows and swifts.
Large animals that make their home in Speyside include red deer and roe deer. Red squirrels are also regularly seen here. Wildcat, fox, badger, pine marten co-exist in this wonderland of high moorlands, dense woodland and mixed arable and livestock farmland. The area is a botanist’s delight.
