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Before and after the birds. We had incredible numbers of first redwings and then fieldfares at Mar Lodge this year feasting on the big crop of rowan berries. The berries are now all gone and most of the birds have moved on but it was fantastic to have the birds around.

We're losing the East Quoich path between the two footbridges, as every high water event erodes the bank. Work is therefore underway to realign it, future-proofing it from river erosion. If you can donate to support this work, its future will be secure 😀: justgiving.com/campaign/eastq…

Stuck for any presents this year ? Our Pinewood Gin would make a great Christmas gift while at the same time supporting the restoration and expansion of the beautiful Caledonian Pinewoods at Mar Lodge. Pinewood Gin is available from the NTS online shop shop.nts.org.uk/products/pinew…

FOUND.....set of keys. At Linn of Quoich car park this morning. If they're yours, or you know whose they might be, please phone the ranger service on 01339 720164 and we can get them reunited. Thanks!

Somewhat amusing to see the antics of wood mice visiting some trail cameras we currently have out. These photos are not all in one sequence but the agile wood mice are making it up to our bait. Lovely to see these wee mice that you don't usually see as they tend to be nocturnal.

The Mar Lodge boundary goes around the lip of the Beinn a' Bhuird coires and so we usually view the coires from above. Made a wee circular trip around and up Beinn a' Bhuird yesterday to appreciate the coires from below and get stunning views all round on a beautiful day.

Check out this Timberman beetle! We have been monitoring some of our less well-studied wildlife to help us to understand how nature is responding to habitat management and climate change. This chap was recorded this year, and is one of 559 species of beetle recorded at Mar Lodge!

Sad to see that the estate's most northerly granny pine has succumbed to the inevitable in the last three weeks or so. The tree is now surrounded by a few dozen seedlings, almost certainly its descendants, which will hopefully grow up in its place. National Trust for Scotland #pinewoods

From all of us here at Mar Lodge Estate...(yes, even the ones who didn't make the staff photo)....a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS, FOLKS! Hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow 🙂🎄’

Happy New Year to all from the team at Mar Lodge. We look forward to welcoming many of you to the estate in 2025. PS. Picture not from today !

We're looking suitably wintry for the start of the new year 😀 Not quite enough for building a sizeable snowman but here's hoping the hills look a bit more in shape by next week ⛄️🤞

A cold but beautifully still day today at Mar Lodge. A ceiling of cloud over the estate but clear skies to the north. A delightful descent from Creag Bhalg as the sun set and the light faded. #cairngorms #Winter

These photos are of the same Downy willow, with one taken in September 2021, and one in December this year. Snow cover is important for montane willows as it provides protection for the plant through the long winter months, and also a flush of nutrients in the spring.

The beautiful weather continued at Mar Lodge yesterday. Lovely sunshine, powder snow but a biting wind. Great to see the pioneering wee pines forging their way up the hills and once again nice to see the old failing 'granny' pine with some children to follow in her footsteps.

Snow here yesterday, gone today. A big rise in temperature overnight and a big thaw. Plenty of ice making it's way down the river.

We have two permanent job vacancies here at Mar Lodge Estate: 1. Wedding & Events Coordinator - closing date Sunday 26th January. 2. Stalker - closing date Sunday 19th January. Full details for both positions at: nts.org.uk/volunteering-j…

Great to see the large woody structures in Glen Geldie installed as part of a partnership project with the River Dee Team and funded through the Nature Restoration Fund. These should increase channel diversity, encourage the river to meander and benefit biodiversity.

A second attempt to be on Sgor Mor for the sunset. It was clearer to the north but in the early afternoon a bank of cloud rolled in from the south west. No clear sky sunset but instead treated to these late rays breaking through the cloud.

Interesting to capture two pine martens on a trail cam recently. Most likely a mum who hasn't yet thrown her youngster out or two young siblings in their first winter. We have been picking this pair up at a few camera sites. National Trust for Scotland Cairngorms National Park Mammal Society