Page 25 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

A POR TR AIT OF SC O TLAND  23

Shetland ponies are indigenous to the
windswept, northerly isles of the same
name, but can also be found on the
mainland. The ponies are small, with
thick, wiry coats.

Highland cattle, bred The golden eagle is one of
in Scotland since the Scotland’s most enduring
1500s, are recogniz able emblems. Found at high alti­
by their long horns and tudes, this majestic bird takes its
shaggy coats. prey in one silent swoop.

Mountain and Moorland Woodland and Forest
The hills and mountains of Scotland are a Some of Scotland’s
refuge for rare arctic and alpine plants, forests form part of
while heather and grasses flourish on a protected Forest
the moorlands and Lowlands. This Park. Woodland refuges,
contrast of landscapes can be such as the one in the
seen right across the Scottish Pine marten Borders shown above, are
Highlands and islands, as shown home to red squirrels and
here on Mull. Birds of prey, goldcrests, while pine martens and wildcats favour
such as eagles and kestrels, the rockier terrain of the Highland forests. Birch
favour this terrain; red and oak woods are dotted around the country.
deer graze on the
Kestrel bleak moorland. Wildcats can still be
found in forest areas,
Sheep roam freely but their num bers
on the moorland are dwindling. A
and hills of Scot­ stocky body, thick fur
land, but they are and short, blunt tail
usally marked so distinguish them
they can be identi­ from a domestic cat.
fied by the farmer.
Red squirrels are far
rarer than their grey
Red deer are the most com­ counterparts, but
mon deer in Europe and can they share the same
often be sighted in the High­ bushy tail for agility
lands of Scotland. Their sig­ and commu nication,
nature coats are at their most and sharp, hooked
vibrant in summer. The stags claws for a sure grip
shed their antlers in spring. on trees.

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