A festival aimed at connecting people in the north-east with nature in a hands-on way will be held later this month.
From feeding reindeer to building bird boxes or spotting ospreys and capercaillies, organisers of the Cairngorms Nature Festival have packed a host of activities into a two-day programme.
The weekend event, which will run on May 17 and 18, has been designed to let people get up close to the variety of wildlife in Deeside and the Highlands, and to showcase the work conservationists do.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has teamed up with several organisations, including RSPB Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council’s ranger service, to set up the events and activities.
Andy Ford, Cairngorms nature manager, said: “The Cairngorms National Park has spectacular wildlife and Cairngorms Nature is a project that brings people and organisations together with one thing in common – a desire to safeguard and enhance the outstanding nature of the park for the future.
“During the Cairngorms Nature Festival weekend we’re inviting people to celebrate the unique nature of the park by giving everyone the opportunity to get firsthand experience of some of the species that live and grow here.”
Other activities include 4×4 wildlife safaris, an early morning bird safari around Glen Muick, conservation work – such as fence removal and path repairs – at Glen Tanar, guided walks, mud pie making and tractor and trailer rides at Blair Castle.
There will also be a wildcat trail walk at Newtonmore to raise money for Marie Curie Care in the Highlands.
For the full programme, and to find out how to book, visit www.cairngorms.co.uk/look-after/cairngorms-nature/festival