The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd

16/06/2026

UPDATE: POSITION NOW FILLED!

Calling future volunteers! 📣 Due to a cancellation we have one placement available NEXT WEEK - week commencing Monday the 22nd of June.

If you are aged 18 years of age or over, you are welcome to apply. Placements last 5 to 7 days for one volunteer at a time. We can't provide any accommodation, and as accommodation books up VERY quickly in the area this might be a stumbling block for many people who otherwise might want to help out for the week. However, the lovely Glenmore Campsite, just across the road from us, currently has space if you're happy in a tent or van! ⛺️🚚

If you’re interested in applying, we recommend getting in touch with us ASAP - please email us rather than message through social media ([email protected]).
Before applying, bear in mind that work at the Reindeer Centre can be very physical. It involves carrying heavy bags of feed to the reindeer in the mountains several times a day (20-30 minute walk over rough, wet mountain ground) in all weathers. While we will try to ensure you get as much time working with the reindeer as possible, the nature of the job means you will also be asked to carry out other duties in and around the Reindeer Centre such as general cleaning and maintenance. You will also spend a lot of time assisting the Reindeer Herders with their guided tours so being able and willing to chat to our lovely visitors is essential - don't worry you don't need prior knowledge of reindeer - it's amazing how much you'll pick up!

Photo of one of our wonderful volunteers, Emm, with Feta!

15/06/2026

There's an impressive amount of snow in some places up on the mountains just now...

Remember when NE of Scotland didn’t see the sun for weeks on end this winter and the winds were “stuck” in the SE?

Well, this is the result in Ciste Mhearad on Cairngorm yesterday!

Still a 20ft plus vertical wall of snow!

13/06/2026

With the spring moult well underway, scruffy reindeer season is upon us!

Here is Kulfi looking handsome, if a little dishevelled, on a recent hill trip. 🤩

12/06/2026

This weeks blog puts the spotlight on lovely Merida. Herder Ruth takes us on a trip down memory lane, complete with some wonderful photos!

Following on from a blog I recently wrote all about Cheer, I thought I'd write another blog about another white-faced reindeer born in 2012 - Merida! I first met Merida in May 2017 when she was five years old. It was my very first week as a reindeer herder and I have a very strong...

10/06/2026

All our mums and calves are now out free-ranging for the summer. We waved them off at the end of last week and won't see them regularly for the next few months (don't worry though, the boys are currently greeting our hill trip visitors).

Here is one of our mums doing an excellent job of feeding her calf! 🤩

08/06/2026

A huge thank you to Watatunga Wildlife Reserve for giving such a warm welcome to the BDVA/BIAZA Deer Conference last week - herders Tilly and Andi had a wonderful time attending, learning lots from all of the brilliant speakers and experiencing a tour around the reserve.

05/06/2026

It's time for part two of the Reindeer Around the World blog series! Time to learn about two more subspecies of reindeer, and what makes them different to the Svalbard reindeer...

Rangifer tarandus tarandus and Rangifer tarandus fennicus Continuing on from learning about the lovely Svalbard reindeer (we all remember how cute those guys are!), this time we'll look at the two other European subspecies of reindeer, the forest and tundra reindeer. Starting with the tundra reindee...

02/06/2026

***UPDATE: Thanks so much for the speedy responses! We think we're set now!***

Calling all polyglots!

We are looking for some translations of our reindeer information handout and/or children’s quizzes in the following languages only:
- French
- Spanish
- Polish
- Italian

Please contact us at [email protected] if you would be able to help us out with a translation. Successful translators will receive a small reward as thanks for your help.

(Cowboy says, "Thank you in advance!")

31/05/2026

Trying to play it cool when mum has just peed on your head...

29/05/2026

Phew what a busy month! Here is May's photo blog for your all.

The month has got away from us somewhat, so this blog is a bit of a mish-mash of photos from several of us, rather than just Amy. Calving season always leaves us battling to get the day to day stuff done - it's hard enough just keeping the essentials under control, let alone the 'extras',...