Wildlife in Scotland to discover

Scotland is renowned for its abundant wildlife and startlingly beautiful scenery, supporting an environment that’s rich with a diverse collection of land and sea creatures. From the dignity of its herds of deer to the lively pine martens, spotting any of these creatures in their natural habitat is a real coup.

Some of the most interesting native Scottish animals are also the most elusive - check out our list of lesser spotted wildlife in Scotland, from the endangered to the iconic.

If you're planning a getaway to see these wonderful animals, take a look through our holiday cottages in Scotland and find your ideal holiday escape. 

Dolphins

Scotland is home to an impressive number of bottlenose dolphin pods that can be spotted off the coast. A popular location for sightings is Cromarty Point, a jutting headland that allows ships to access Cromarty Bay’s deep waters. For a good chance of seeing a specimen in the wild, the Scottish Dolphin Centre at Spey Bay is a fantastic family-friendly attraction.

Best place to spot dolphins: Chanonry Point

Where to stay: The Little Small House, Avoch, The Highlands (sleeps 4 and 2 dogs)

Adder

Snakes are uncommon in the British Isles but we do have the native adder. The wooded or rocky areas in remote parts of rural Scotland are preferred habitats for these low-profile reptiles. Adders are venomous and can give you a nasty bite but occurrences of such encounters are rare. Snakes won't strike unless they’ve been stepped on so keep an eye out for them curled up in the sun from April to September. The rest of the year they spend hibernating underground.

Best place to spot adders: The Angus Glens

Where to stay: Glamis House, Glamis, Angus (sleeps 13)

Golden eagle

The Golden Eagle is a majestic bird of prey that’s easy to spot thanks to its 2-metre wingspan. It is generally found in open spaces and, typically, these birds are loners, choosing to nest as far from civilisation as possible.

Golden eagles thrive in Scotland where they don't have any natural predators, and they feed on small mammals, snakes and grouse. They are easily recognisable by the golden feathers on their head and neck.

Best place to spot golden eagles: Oa Peninsula

Where to stay: Rothmar East, Machrihanish, Argyll and Bute (sleeps 10 and 2 dogs) - please note that this is the nearest island.

Humpback whales

The wild waters around Scotland's northwest coastline are considered the top destination for whale watching in the UK. Dedicated whale spotting trips cruise the ocean off the Isle of Skye on the lookout for pods of migrating cetaceans, although it's also possible to spot them from the shoreline on a good day. The warm currents of the Gulf Stream flow past the western edge of these pretty islands, bringing an abundance of both native and exotic wildlife close to shore.

Best place to spot humpback whales: The Isle of Mull

Scottish wildcat

Closely resembling a domestic tortoiseshell cat, the Scottish Wildcat is about as far removed from a tame tabby as you can get. Visible differences include a distinctly bushy tail marked by dark or black rings and a thicker coat; they also tend to be a little larger than their domesticated cousins. Wildcats are extremely rare; it’s estimated there are fewer than 100 left in the wild. Conservation projects are underway to help preserve them.

Best place to spot Scottish wildcats: Morvern

Where to stay: Braefoot, Strontian, The Highlands (sleeps 4)

Stag and deer

Scotland’s stag and deer are symbolic of the country's wild landscape. When the mating season begins, stags compete for the does by fighting each other off with their antlers, known as ‘rutting’. For the best chance of seeing them in the wild, spend some time in the much-photographed Rannoch Moor or the area around Glencoe.

Best place to spot stag and deer: The Cairngorms

Where to stay: Downie's Cottage, Braemar, Aberdeenshire (sleeps 2 and 2 dogs)

Highland cow

The Highland cow is most certainly a unique breed of cattle - it's covered almost head to hoof in a long shaggy coat and has iconic horns protruding from its head. These are hardy animals, able to withstand torrential rain and powerful winds. There are almost no herds left to roam across Scotland so it’s hard to find a genuine Highland cow or ‘coo’ in the wild.

Best place to spot Highland cows: The Cairngorms

Where to stay: Downie's Cottage, Braemar, The Highlands (sleeps 2 and 2 dogs)

Other lesser-spotted native Scottish animals

We’ve only chosen a handful of our most popular native Scottish animals but there are plenty more to see if you know where to look. Dedicated wildlife groups are ensuring the longevity of some of our most iconic inhabitants, from five species of bats that call Scotland home to the beavers and pine marten - both species that have been reintroduced to the wild and whose numbers are now, thankfully, thriving. There are some nature lovers who might even include the Loch Ness monster on this list! 

Spot these wonderful animals in their natural habitats during a trip to Scotland - start browsing our holiday cottages in Scotland now and begin planning your getaway.