Rothiemurchus Forest facts for kids
Rothiemurchus Forest is a special and ancient woodland in Scotland. It is located near Aviemore, in a beautiful area called the Cairngorms National Park. This forest is one of the last parts of the old Caledonian Forest that used to cover much of Scotland.
The forest is a popular place for people to visit. They enjoy walking, cycling, and seeing nature. It is also home to many important wild animals.
What Makes Rothiemurchus Forest Special?
Rothiemurchus Forest is a very old forest. It is a small part of the huge Caledonian Forest. This forest once covered a lot of Scotland. It stretches from the River Spey up to high mountains. It is a key part of the Cairngorms National Park.
Amazing Wildlife in the Forest
Many unique animals live in Rothiemurchus Forest. You might see an osprey, which is a large bird of prey. There are also Scottish crossbills, small birds with crossed beaks. The capercaillie is a very large woodland bird. You might also spot a crested tit or even a wild cat. These animals make the forest a special place for nature lovers.
Who Owns Rothiemurchus Forest?
Most of Rothiemurchus Forest is part of the Rothiemurchus Estate. The Grant family has owned this estate for a very long time. They have owned it since the 1540s.
Today, Johnnie Grant manages the estate. He is the 13th Earl of Dysart and the 17th Laird of Rothiemurchus. He works with his wife, Philippa, and their family to care for the forest.
In 2014, a part of the forest was sold. This part was called Rothiemurchus Upper Forest. It was about 2,300 hectares in size. It was sold to Forestry Commission Scotland. This group is now called Forestry and Land Scotland.
