2026 has just begun and already, plenty has happened. There have been sightings of Badgers, Pine Martens and even the Scottish Wildcat. Tawny Owls have been heard and there’s been excellent stargazing opportunities, when the nights have been clear, with Jupiter and multiple star constellations seen and enjoyed by guests.

It had been quite cold in the Cairngorms this past December. But just because it was cold, didn’t mean there was nothing to see, quite the opposite. Around Inshriach, there were plenty of songbirds such as Great Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Long Tailed Tits and Greenfinches. On occasion, I spot Buzzards and Sparrowhawk, flashing past, as it swoops after songbirds. I managed to see all of these species in December.

It’s now the end of 2025 and it has been an incredible year. We have had lots of sightings of Badgers, Pine Martens, the Scottish Wildcat, including more than one, Wood Mice, Bank Voles, Tawny Owls, Barn Owls, a variety of songbirds as well as Red and Roe Deer. Hopefully 2026 will be just as full of sightings as 2025.

The second last hide update of the year, what a thing to say. Winter is here and there are still Badgers, Pine Martens and the Scottish Wildcat to see as well as a Wood Mouse. It’s definitely colder as everything winds back for the year, but there is still plenty going on. Badgers One night, for the first time in weeks, a Badger came from the left-hand side and sniffed around before going away. Later, the same individual returned and at one point it looked as though it would