Scotland’s National Nature Reserves For more information about Abernethy - Dell Woods National Nature Reserve please contact: East Highland Reserves Manager, Scottish Natural Heritage, Achantoul, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH22 1QD Tel: 01479 810477 Fax: 01479 811363 Email:
[email protected] The Story of Abernethy- Dell Woods National Nature Reserve The Story of Abernethy - Dell Woods National Nature Reserve Foreword Abernethy National Nature Reserve (NNR) lies on the southern fringes of the village of Nethybridge, in the Cairngorms National Park. It covers most of Abernethy Forest, a remnant of an ancient Scots pine forest that once covered much of the Scottish Highlands and extends high into the Cairngorm Mountains. The pines we see here today are the descendants of the first pines to arrive in the area 8,800 years ago, after the last ice age. These forests are ideal habitat for a vast number of plant and animal species, some of which only live within Scotland and rely upon the Caledonian forests for their survival. The forest of Abernethy NNR is home to some of the most charismatic mammals and birds of Scotland including pine marten, red squirrel, capercaillie, osprey, Scottish crossbill and crested tit. It is also host to an array of flowers characteristic of native pinewoods, including twinflower, intermediate wintergreen and creeping lady’s tresses. Scotland’s NNRs are special places for nature, where many of the best examples of Scotland’s wildlife are protected. Whilst nature always comes first on NNRs, they also offer special opportunities for people to enjoy and find out about the richness of our natural heritage.