At One with the Clouds
In the remote North-West Highlands, around 100 miles north of Fort William, there’s a small coastal village named Torridon. The settlement itself might seem a little unassuming, however the surrounding area is home to some of the most spectacular mountains in the United Kingdom. With high pinnacles, sheer cliff faces and knife-edge ridges, the Torridon hills are well-known throughout the world and draw tourists from far and wide. Many of the mountains are Munros – meaning they are over 3000 feet high – with hills such as Liathach and Beinn Alligin being some of the highest in Scotland.
Alongside these geological giants, the landscape is made up of long, winding glens and glassy lochs. On a good day, the views here are some of the best in the world and you’ll have to travel a very long way before you find anywhere similar. As if that’s not enough of an incentive to visit, Torridon is also home to some amazing wildlife. Its remote location and lack of people make it perfect for rare species and the area is inhabited by all of Scotland’s famous wildlife highlights.
A Sweet Tooth
With this in mind, it might be surprising to learn that one of the best species to see in Torridon is one that is not very well known. Residing in forested habitats and notable for its adept climbing abilities, one animal that thrives in the area is the Pine Marten. Pine Martens are a type of mustelid native to the United Kingdom and large areas of Europe. Although common throughout much of their range, the species is rare in the British Isles, and northern Scotland is one of the few places where there are good chances to encounter it. Pine Martens are fairly large – often measuring up to half a metre long – and as such they are frequently mistaken for cats. They can be distinguished by their long, sleek bodies and small heads.
Another name for the Pine Marten is the Sweet Marten – a name that stems from the species’ love of some types of sugary foods. In the wild, this draws them to foods such as fruits and berries, however many residents in Torridon attract the martens by putting peanut butter, jam or even cream cakes outside their homes. Pine Martens find these foods hard to resist and will be happy to venture close to people to satisfy their cravings. Try using this tactic on a visit to Torridon for a chance to see this charismatic creature up close. Top tip for spotting Pine Martens in Torridon: spread your treat of choice on a rock around sunset and wait quietly.
A True Highland Experience
Although Pine Martens might take the biscuit when it comes to wildlife watching in Torridon, many other species will be sure to catch the eye. Red Deer are a common sight roaming the hillsides, often in large herds. In the skies, keep watch for Golden Eagles soaring near the mountain peaks. These majestic birds are some of the largest in Scotland and can be distinguished in the air by their finger-like feathers on the tips of their wings. Another bird that inhabits the Torridon hills is the Ptarmigan, a mostly ground-dwelling species that is well adapted to the harsh mountain weather. Ptarmigans communicate with loud, croaking calls – a sound that is famous to hillwalkers in Scotland. They are much harder to see than hear, due to their excellent camouflage, however they prefer not to fly and so will often reward you with good views if you come across them.
Lower down the slopes and closer to sea level, Torridon has some great areas for coastal walking and there is a variety of life to see here, both marine and terrestrial. In the sea, otters can be found fishing in coastal inlets and rocky beaches, particularly in remoter regions. Seals and dolphins are common too. On land, look out for Roe Deer grazing in forested areas and be sure to bring your binoculars to get the best views of the local birdlife. Some of the avian highlights in Torridon include herons, greenshanks, snipes and wigeons. Few places in Scotland can match the Torridon area for scenery, and this combined with its abundance of wildlife make it one of the best places in the country to visit.