It’s a crisp and deeply cold morning, the sun not yet risen above the Cairngorms. The Rothiemurchus forest is captive to a white hoar frost as we crunch along the path to Lochan Mor, commonly called the Lily Loch.
We’re on the beaver trail and my guide is Jonathan Willet, beaver project manager for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. After being hunted to extinction in Scotland in the 16th century, beavers have been reintroduced in various sites, and in the national park exactly a year ago. The winding rivers, lochs, marshlands and forests of the upper Spey are ideal habitat, though their famous reshaping of it means not everyone welcomes them. Consultations and careful management are integral to the reintroduction and, to date, the signs are good, with the 10 pairs thriving. So much so, that at least two have produced kits. One of these happy families are settled here, in the main public site in the national park, with a well-signed trail and information panels.
