As we all know, reindeer are truly beautiful animals. Herds running through deep snow, keeping pace with one another, crossing burns in such a fast paced grace. The sounds of their clicking heels and the moving snow all you can hear. Seeing them at sundown with their antlered silhouttes standing atop a hill, overlooking a wonderful rolling valley… What a picture to paint.
There is however a different side of majesty to the reindeer… The boop! Fury, warm noses that you just want to squish. Unfortunately for us, reindeer do not particularly enjoy having their noses squished so you’ll simply have to poke the screen of whatever device you’re reading this on instead. Each photograph has been named with a herders first reaction to the boopable nose. So sit back and enjoy our boop gallery!
Juniper. “Not so much a boop as a sloop…” Kate 2026. Holy Moley. “Blue sky, furry nose.” Alicia 2026. Cornetto. “The whole snoot and nothing but the snoot!” Alicia 2026. Juniper. “Why do I only have one ear?” Cameron 2026. Tetley. “That is such good quality.” Amy 2026. – Thank you very much from newly crowned photographer Daisy. Yukon. “His nose looks really squishable there.” Daisy 2026. Zoom. “God, I’m good looking”. Fiona 2026. Bordeaux. “No time for battles, boops to be had!” Daisy 2026. Hemp. “Schnozzle!” Amy 2026. Macarena. “Peek-a-boo!” Emm 2026. Flamenco. “Mum… I’ve got a bogey up my nose.” Fiona 2026.Morris. “A sentient marshmallow.” Kate 2026.Red Deer. “Because every deer’s nose deserves to be squished.” Daisy 2026. Ryvita. “That’s so cute!” Caroline, 2026.Dr Suess. “Does this picture make my snoot look big?…” Alicia, 2026. Ryvita. “Nom nom nom nom nom.” Caroline, 2026.
I hope you enjoyed our collection of boop shots of our lovely reindeer. I think we can all agree, they’re all pretty boopable noses!
This May I returned to the Cairngorms as a volunteer for the second time, drawn by the potential for beautiful weather and the prospect of tiny hoof prints. Whilst there is so much I could tell you about my week, with every single day being amazing, I think there’s one day that might stay in my mind for a while.
The day before, with the free rangers.
The day began with a trip up the hill with Lotti, Daisy and Maisy (the herders have such beautiful names!). Lotti and Maisy went to check on the latest arrival, a sweet little boy calf whose identity is currently protected to allow for more formal announcements to expectant adopters.
Daisy and I went on to do a full inventory of the herd in the enclosure. This involved some facial recognition (no apps involved, just the catalogue held in Daisy’s head) and then some ear tag number checking and ticking off against the list held in the office.
Why is this done? Well, at this time of year any of the herd that has decided to go solo is likely to be a Mum-to-be and may either be ‘faffing’ (which when witnessed is just like it sounds… that day you spend getting nothing done because you just can’t settle) or might be with calf in a remote corner of the enclosure.
After identifying the location of all the herd, including a faffer in the distance, Daisy and I went into the area where Lotti and Maisy were with the newborn, as the decision had been made to move them into their own space for a little while. Now, this might sound simple but moving a worried mum and a very teeny wobbly thing with back legs that seem almost twice the length of its front legs is not an easy task. It took 4 of us… although I was mainly the emotional and photographic support.
There was a very steep hill to climb and little baby needed a little help, whilst mum was constantly checking, encouraging and teaching. There were multiple suckling stops, an occasional poop on baby’s head and lots of encouraging grunting. Daisy’s back must have hurt as she had to pick up baby on the steepest parts of the epic journey but keep the calf in sight of mother at all times, which meant adopting a stooped position and walking in the side eyeline of the adult reindeer.
Daisy with the calf. Keeping the calf only a few inches off the ground ensures the mum can always see her baby.
At one point the previous year’s calf came to chat with mum, a slightly heart wrenching moment as we all realised that the yearling must now become independent and was nuzzled out of the way to make room for the new baby.
When we got to the final destination, we all stood back to watch mother and baby and, after a quick lick of all crucial parts, baby was settled down for a rest with mum guarding him. She was such a good mum!
And so we returned to Reindeer House for a cuppa.
I then spent a little time helping mix feed, checking on the paddock, watering some newly laid turf which the 3 boys in the paddock were greedily eyeing, and sweeping the inside and outside of the centre. I checked Santa’s Bothy but he was still out….
After lunch I went with Kate and Maisy to help with the afternoon Hill Trip – a great bunch of people who told me of their road trip plans and experiences whilst I helped identify reindeer and shared the few facts I have picked up.
Whilst Kate was talking to the group, one of a nearby female reindeer’s antlers popped off in front of us all! And a few minutes later one of our visitors found another antler, but not from the same cow. This casting of antlers happens when the females are pregnant and no longer have to fight off the advances of the males. We put the antlers safely in the rucksack as sometimes adopters like to buy them.
A bag full of antlers.
We then laid out a little feed to supplement the natural feed for the new mums, which is done from a distance so as not to disturb them and their calves too much, though we did check that each little calf was standing or chose to stand while we observed.
On our way back to reindeer house we drove up towards the Cairngorm Mountain Railway car park to check on the free ranging reindeer. Lotti and I had moved them away from that area the day before, down the valley quite a distance. They had seemed happy to follow us and stay there at the time. But guess who we found crossing the road? It seems the new grass covered with salt on the verges is as tempting to a reindeer as a salty snack is to us!
Out of the van we jumped. The strategy formed was to move them upwards this time. Maisy (part mountain goat I suspect) was sent up the steep rock face to call from above, whilst Kate encouraged the herd to move out of the road.
Kate directing the reindeer traffic.
I was sent to the bend in the road to slow down and explain what was happening to oncoming traffic. “Yes, we came to watch!” was one of the responses, with most people intrigued or happy to drive slowly past and take some good holiday snaps. The free rangers weren’t being entirely cooperative and soon Daisy and Sheena came to help, with a chain of herders up the hill calling and persuading.
Maisy and Daisy are up there somewhere.
When at last the final reindeer was moved safely onwards, Sheena took our photo in the middle of the clear road until we were surprised by a camper van rounding the corner, and scattered, giggling.
Our Abbey Road style moments.
That evening, straight after work, Daisy took me for a walk with her dogs on the banks of Loch Morlich. It was a stunning evening and showed off the beautiful surroundings that Daisy is incredibly proud to live and work in.
Loch Morlich as the sun was slowly going down.
In fact Daisy had to use her fire prevention knowledge to help put out a fire that had been made illegally that afternoon and it was clear how much she cared that her local area was not put at risk. Seeing the beauty of the woodland, and experiencing the peace of the beach by the loch, I understood completely.
Editor’s Note: Sorry to hijack your blog Kathy… This wonderful blog was written back in May, before the horrific wildfire that hit Glenmore in July. It goes to show how important this bylaw is. It’s wonderful to share the reindeer’s home with so many people that love and respect the outdoors – so please help us protect it in future.
Echo and Asta go for a paddle.
We met Maisy on our way back and stopped at the Pine Marten bar for some refreshments and much needed sustenance. While the others had soft drinks, I wanted to try a local ale which went well with a very good burger with fries (my salty snack of choice)! We chatted about the day of adventure and reminisced about road trips to lands of northern lights and reindeer.
Feeling thoroughly contented, I took a small detour on my way back to my lodgings, popping up to the top to look at the sunset over the loch. And who should I see on my way up? A small group of salty snackers at the side of a car park, watched by a lady from Germany who looked at me with tear filled eyes and said “It’s just magical!”
And I agree. What a day. What a week. I can’t wait till next year….
I am the youngest Scottish reindeer herder. Although many people think I’m older than I really am and it happens on a regular basis. I’m either on a hill trip or doing a paddock talk and there is always someone asking me, “how did you end up being a reindeer herder?” When I give people my answer I often hear a gasp. “What, you’re still in school?!.” Yes I am, and only 2 years left then I’ll be free (Im counting down the days practically). Another question always follows this: what are you doing after school? I dunno, I’ll figure it out but I know one thing I ain’t sitting at a desk for ten hours a day. The reindeer herders have learnt that I ain’t sitting still.
Maisy feeding the herd during a snowy start to 2026.
Although most people are surprised about my age of only being 16, and are really interested in how I have such an interest in reindeer and the hills, the majority of the people I meet are supportive. But you’re always going to have a couple of people who treat you differently when they find out I’m at school still. I get a bit disappointed when people treat me differently after I tell them because all of a sudden there is a switch, “oh you do something so cool, but I still know better than you”. I do sometimes find it can be a struggle being young in a professional environment – but I enjoy this. I get a chance to show poeple my knowledge and it helps me build confidence.
Maisy and Winnie both enjoying the sunshine!
At first hanging out with the reindeer I was just an extra pair of hands carrying feed onto the hill and maybe chatting to a couple of visitors on the hill trips. I was nervous, only 13 and had no experience of talking to big groups of people with no knowledge of reindeer. Now I can easily chat to 50+ people because I now have a love for reindeer. I want to get everyone else to know all their fun facts to know why the herders are here and how important reindeer are to the Cairngorms ecosystem. However, saying this I still will not do a presentation in school! Reindeer I can talk all day about, but in other areas I’m still working on my confidence.
Dante and Disco relaxing out in the hills during this years free range season, during one of Maisy’s many long hikes out to see them.
A strong memory I have of the first time I talked in front of 20 people was in horrible weather with Joe. Joe asked me to talk about handfeeding but I did it only because I wanted to get off the hill and back to the centre as soon as possible! I’m glad for it now – sometimes you just need a little push out your comfort zone to see what you can do.
Reindeer have grown my confidence from now being able to talk to lots of people, work in the shop, give paddock talks, and even answer the phone… The thing I really don’t like is answering the phone! Mainly because you never know what you’re going to be asked on the other side. If it’s anything to do with officey things or on the computers I have no answer. There is always me handing the phone across the room when it’s ringing. If someone is busy in the shop however and only me to answer I have the dreaded task of answering. Slowly getting there but I am still not a fan.
Maisy feeding Cheer and Chai in August 2025 during a hike – Maisy always makes sure her backpack has all the neccassary gear for finding reindeer!
It is obvious that reindeer herding has boosted my confidence massively and I’m slowly gaining more responsibility and trust with the herders. At first I was just an extra person on a hill trip but now I get to help with the talks and help run them.
Amazon looking her absolute best on a morning free range mission in April!
In school they know I hang out with reindeer. This year I had the delight of giving my English teacher a 15 minute talk about The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd. Fun fact, my English teacher even taught Fiona… For my national 5 geography assignment I looked at how reindeer affect the vegetation cover and the different species of vegetation where there is a change in population of riendeer. My results showed that reindeer are creating more diversity of plant species. (If you want the results email us and I can send them over.) By doing this project it also meant I spent a few hours roaming on the hills. However it was revolting weather with no visablity whatsoever but it was still fun!
Morris helping Maisy with her studies of the vegetation growing along the top ridge of the Hill Enclosure.
A favourite memory of mine… In the summer on a Friday afternoon off the school bus, I was tying my shoelaces about to go for a run up Meall a’ Bhuachaille with Froach when Hen answers the phone from Amy saying she’s found some reindeer in Glenfeshie. Hen looked at me, “Maisy, what are you up to this afternoon?” There I was forgetting about Fraoch and my run and off we went up Glenfeshie to go find some calves and Amy. Not a bad Friday afternoon!
Lochi resting on a sunny day out in the hills. Maisy sitting with Winnie and Alba out in the hills after a free-range trip.
It took me a while to get used to being comfortable around the reindeer just because they are animals and I was still unsure of what their next steps were going to be. However now a few years down the line I’m comfortable with having reindeer brush up against me and try to calm a situation. From working with the reindeer my confidence has boosted and people in my life outside of reindeer can see that. This year was my first proper calving with working a lot more often during the weekend and my study leave. The calves are such sweeeties!
One of the first calves I met this year and my jaw dropped when I saw this guy. This is Texels calf and is just the sweetest little thing.
I think young people should get the chance to work outside with animals and in the outdoors more as so many young people are not getting opportunities to try many varied environments of work. I have found my own self confidence and knowing many young people struggle with this, it would benefit many. Working with reindeer has made me realize that I’m never going to want to get an inside office job mainly because I would probably explode if I were to sit still for 8 hours a day! I know there are lots of young people just like me that are meant for outdoor jobs and volunteering and working with animals gives you a chance to explore that. I’m also grateful for the resposibility and to find a group of people with interests just like mine. Sometimes you just find the right place where you belong!
Cameron, Sheena, Lotti, Daisy, Echo, Amy, and Maisy – Christmas Fun Crew, 2025!
The bodies of reindeer go through many changes allowing them to cope with huge temperature difference throughout the seasons. In summer reindeer can cope with temperatures above 30 degrees and the lowest recorded temperature that reindeer have been know to survive is -72 degrees Celsius. Reindeer have two different coats, a thick white winter coat as well as a fine, dark summer coat. Their antlers grow in an annual cycle and the different times of growing and shedding them allows different animals to be dominant at different times of year. One of the most interesting, and important, changes to a reindeer though, you can’t see – their metabolism.
Magnum in his winter coat.Colorado, Iskrem, Yangtze looking smart in their summer coats.
Reindeer have adapted to eat vast amounts of food throughout the spring, summer and autumn to gain enough weight to survive the winter, when food is scarce. To cope with these changes in food availability their metabolism changes too. In the summer reindeer will graze around the clock, eating a huge variety (between 200 and 300 different species) of plants which are high in nutrition. This allows each individual to grow a new set of antlers, they start to grow in the spring and are fully grown by the end of august and the heaviest set we have had in our herd, weighed a whopping 8.9 kgs. The summer is also the time that the young reindeer grow in body size. Finally, every reindeer will need to gain body fat which will act as reserves over the winter. All these things require their digestive system to work in overdrive converting the food they are eating into energy that can be used by their body to create protein, bone, fat, and whatever is needed.
Ryvita grazing and growing her beautiful antlers.Cow and calf grazing on the high plateau plants.
On the contrary, winter is all about survival. During the winter most of the plants will have died under the snow and 70% of a reindeer’s diet is made up of lichen. Lichen is a symbiosis of fungi and algae and is very resistant to extreme changes in temperature. Over the winter lichen won’t grow but it will stay dormant, preserved under the snow. Reindeer will then dig down through the snow to reach the lichen. But lichen is relatively low in nutrients, just enough to sustain the reindeer through the winter and their metabolism shifts in line with this. In fact, even if you gave a reindeer a big pile of food, during the winter, they just aren’t as hungry and wouldn’t eat it all.
Winnie eating lichen under the snow.
During the winter reindeer are no longer growing their antlers, they won’t increase their body size at all, a calf will grow lots in the first 6 months of their life and then stay the same size for the next 5 months, until the following spring. They will survive the winter by using their fat reserves. The one important growth that does happen in winter is that of a growing foetus. This is the reason that the females grow antlers and keep them after the males have shed them, as it gives them a physical advantage during the time that they are pregnant and therefore they get first dibs on the food.
Vienna and Amazon showing off their beautiful antlers right through the winter.A group of our males in the winter having cast their antlers.
But how does a reindeer know that it’s time for spring? Rather than responding to food availability or temperature which may well change year by year, the changes in their metabolism are triggered by the changes in daylight. The increased daylight associated with spring is detected by specialised receptor cells in their eyes which then convert to a hormonal signal using melatonin. Melatonin is synthesised during the dark period each day and then synthesis stops during daylight. This means that the amount of melatonin varies based on the time of year. The concentration of melatonin has many effects. In terms of metabolism, in the spring as melatonin decreases, this increases the appetite of the reindeer. In the autumn, as melatonin increases, this decreases the appetite of the reindeer and increases the breakdown of fat stores. The changing melatonin levels also controls their antler growth and release of sex-hormones but that may be another blog in the future.
Eye of a reindeer.
For anyone particularly interested in a much more in-depth description of the physiology behind these changes, I would highly recommend reading this article.
If you have made it this far, thanks for reading my very nerdy reindeer biology blog! Hopefully you have learnt something and enjoyed the pictures of the reindeer along the way.
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 memory of sitting in the hill enclosure with Sally who was showing me the ropes. Two cows and calves were in a smaller part of the enclosure and we were spending time observing how they were getting on – what a tough job! Merida and her new born calf were there, and whilst Merida herself was fairly uninterested in us, her calf came right up to me and starting nuzzling my shoe laces. It was instant love! This tiny reindeer calf grew into the mighty Dr Seuss, who everyone knows is the best reindeer ever. As the ‘mother of the greatest’ I am also very fond of Merida, so this blog is full of photos of her.
Merida has a very distinctive hourglass pattern on her face and therefore one of the first reindeer I learnt to identify. She is friendly around people and enjoys hand feeding. She has been an excellent mother over the years and has three surviving sons – Dr Seuss, Ärta and Mr Whippy.
Merida and her newborn calf – who later was named Dr Seuss. This was around the time I first met them both.
I left the Reindeer Centre in March 2018 for another opportunity, but missed the herd (and my colleagues!) too much so returned to herding in March 2021. Most of these pics are therefore of Merida, and her offspring, over the last 5 years or so.
2021
Catching up with Merida whilst she’s out free ranging in the hills. With no calf at foot in 2021 she was able to put more energy into herself and grow lovely big antlers.Merida looking beautiful with her beard blowing in the breeze in October 2021. Camembert is the reindeer in the background.Spartan doing his best to woo Merida. She looks a bit unsure but it must’ve worked as the following spring Merida had a male calf.
2022
Dr Seuss and his mum in early January 2022, hanging out together – both waiting in line for the hand feed.A heavily pregnant reindeer in April 2022. Her new antler is just beginning to grow. Merida and newborn calf in May 2022. We later named him Mr Whippy! You can see the antler that had a head start (see above photo) is taller than the other.Merida and her calf the day they were released out on to the free range for the summer.Torch & mum Magnum and Mr Whippy & mum Merida in September 2022 after coming back into the hill enclosure.
2023
Merida and Mr Whippy back out free ranging in the hills in January 2023.Merida enjoying herself on the free range in early August. She looks a bit scruffy as she’s moulting the final bits of her old winter coat. She’s grown another set of cracking antlers!Merida on the end of the feed line in October 2023 with a lovely rainbow behind.
2024
Merida in February 2024 with her epic antlers!In May 2024 Merida had a new male calf. When Merida grunted for her new calf, her 7 year old son Dr Seuss would come running over!Merida and new calf with older son Dr Seuss (mid-moult with a sunburnt nose). Dr Seuss was often by his mum’s side for the few weeks they all overlapped in the hill enclosure. Very sadly Merida’s calf picked up a tick-bourne illness in August and despite receiving medication and all our best efforts he sadly didn’t survive.Ärta in October 2024 – Merida’s son born in 2020. I can’t resist including this photo – he looks so magestic! Whilst Merida has never had a female calf, son Ärta has been bred from so her line continues.Merida in October 2024 with rather silly antlers. Merida invested so much energy into her calf that her own antlers were a rather poor show this year.
2025
Merida in March 2025 – just beginning to grow her antlers. Her old winter coat is quite faded so harder to see the distinctive hourglass pattern on her face.Merida in August 2025 looking great in her short summer coat. She’s now retired from breeding so will spend most of her days free ranging in the hills and enjoying life!
2026
Cameron’s photo of Merida enjoying free ranging in February 2026. She’s in a big herd which includes her three sons – Dr Seuss, Ärta and Mr Whippy.
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 reindeer…
Our very own tundra reindeer, Chickpea and Morven roaming the Cairngorm mountains.
Found across Northern Scandinavia and across Northern Russia with a large population in Siberia. They are also found here in the Highlands of Scotland roaming the Cairngorm mountain plateau. The southern most population on continental Europe is found in the mountain regions of Norway, however it is quite tricky to know where the tundra reindeer population ends and the forest reindeer population begins.
Forest reindeer grazing amongst trees.
The most notable population of forest reindeer is found surrounding the Karelia region, near the border of Finland and Russia. The population is then further wide spread across Russia.
Population map of all subspecies of reindeer, including the N.American caribou populations and the European domestic and wild populations. (Map source: found at the bottom of the image)
Unlike the Svalbard reindeer, these subspecies do follow a larger migratory pattern, and will usually cover anywhere from 12 – 34 miles per day. They move between areas following the availability of vegetation and to avoid the harshest environments during winter months.
The herds will also move alongside humans. Both species are heavily domesticated and have been for over 10,000 years now. Not only are the reindeer used for food, income, and general way of life by indigenous communities (most noteably in Europe – the Inari Sámi), but the reindeer themselves benefit. Knowledge passed down through generations regarding migratory behaviour, and the animals role in the ecosystem means a huge positvie impact on Arctic conservation. This not only benefits the domestic populations of reindeer, but also the wild ones, as well as all other forms of life living in these ecosystems.
Sámi communities will follow the reindeers migratory habits, travelling vast distances with them every year. (Photo credit: Norsk Teknisk Museum)
The vast numbers of these two subspecies, the distribution of their population, and their movement patterns, give them a much larger impact on the ecosystem than the Svalbard reindeer. With grazing habbits helping to maintain Arctic tundra, it prevents the release of stored carbon in the permafrost. Being farmed in the traditional methods that they are – constantly moving, following the behaviour of the reindeer rather than using other methods of stationary farming – the reindeer are still able to exhibit their natural behaviour. It has also maintained a positive coexsistence between man and the fragile Arctic ecosystem.
Moving home and following the natural behavioural patterns of the reindeer.
This means that the reindeer have not needed to adapt to a stationary lifestyle. Their bodies are still designed to cover large distances and they remain successfully adapted to their role in the ecosystem – dispersing seeds in the trampled ground they’ve moved over.
Something they have adapted for over the last 10,000 years though, is sledge pulling.
Bigger males, often castrated herd members will be used to pull belongings when following the reindeers migratory habits.
Due to living alongside humans for such a long period of time, the European tundra and forest reindeer are semi domesticated. They don’t perceive humans as a threat and are very accumstomed to interacting with people and being handled. This means their strength and good hoof structure can be utilised for sled pulling.
Reindeer toes!
During the winter months, their footpads will shrink and tighten, this exposes the edge of the hoof and allows them to dig it in to the snow. They’ll maintain grip for descending and ascending hills/mountains, and still be able to run at high speeds without the risk of losing their footing. Their strong and muscular build, easy going/ docile nature, and drive for yummy rewards(!) makes them the perfect Arctic sled pulling animal. Second to the sled dog of course, also having worked alongside humans for approximately 8 – 10,000 years (I don’t think anyone could be happier pulling a sled than those guys!).
Keeping tradition alive. Our very own reindeer pulling sleds here in the Cairngorms. (Photo credit: Alex Smith) Our wonderful boys Zoom and Mivvi pulling a wheeled sleigh through Glenmore.
So, in summary, it seems the main adaptations for the European tundra and forest reindeer are behavioural more than physical. They have adapated to be more docile around humans, whilst still maintaining their natural drive to move. Not only for their benefit of chasing good grazing, but also for the benefit of the ecosystem – keeping the Arctic environment healthy.
Next time we’ll jump over 4000 miles from Europe to North America, and find out what the difference is between a reindeer and a caribou (if any).
Daisy
Further reading:
www.//oneearth.org/species-of-the-week-reindeer/
Reindeer and Caribou: Health and Disease, edited by Morten Tryland and Susan J.Kutz (CRC Press, 2019)
Up and moving from Kent to Glenmore to live amongst the reindeer hasn’t just been a big change for me, but also for my dog, Echo. He’s certainly used to the outdoor lifestyle, having spent most of his life on hiking holidays and the last three years living in a van. But this new chapter for him has meant daily hikes, new friends, and endless adventures!
I’ve made it to the home of the reindeer!
Parking up in our camper after my first day of work, it was time for Echo to meet his new neighbours. He spent a decent hour that evening watching the reindeer through the door, desperately trying to spy antlers through the trees.
My first glimpse of my new neighbours.
Echo was very excited to be introduced to the official team of Reindeer Dogs, and swiftly made good friends, and found some new adventure buddies.
Many hikes up Meall a’Bhuachaille with Fraoch, the world’s fastest dog and must be the record holder for Meall a’Bhuachaille summits! Including sunrises up there before the herders head off into the hills in search of reindeer.Lots of walks spent with Ginger (I always have to look my best when Ginger’s here!).
Shortly after we arrived in Glenmore, someone else was quick to join Reindeer House… Sanna the pup. Sanna instantly took to Echo, and it was lovely to see him playing with a puppy in his older years.
Playing with my new pal and the newest reindeer dog.
Echo quickly fell into the routine of his new life – spending time around the Centre while I was working, and hiking in the hills in our free time.
Getting to work straight away! My first day on the job helping wash the Hill Trip welly’s.Helping herder Kate put up bat boxes in the reindeers woodland paddock. Helping eat – I mean make – the reindeer food.Looking for reindeer.Exploring more of the reindeers home range.
Echo soon got to enjoy the benefits of his new life here in the Cairngorms, including lots of lovely antlers to chew, and lots of fuss and exercise with the herders.
Unlimited antlers!Posing with my best pal on a hike with herder Maisy. Loving life in the snow with Sheena and Zoë!Visiting the reindeer and making sure I was on my best behaviour.
Echo even put in a shift on Christmas Eve, keeping us herders’ company all day and meeting all our lovely visitors while getting into the Christmas spirit with antlers of his own! He even made it onto Trip Advisor – 5 stars of course.
Christmas Eve is hard work at the Reindeer Centre.Christmas Eve Crew – I even got to meet Santa!!
As the new year began, six months into our new lives here in the Cairngorms, the biggest change arrived. I had loved seeing how healthy and happy Echo was here – especially playing with his new pals and enjoying spending time with the lovely Sanna, that I made the decision to expand our mini family. Echo was no longer the newest addition to the Reindeer Dogs…
Snoozing with my new sister on her first day home.
Meet Asta! It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with our home and all her new pals (Echo being the best thing since sliced bread, and Sanna a close second!). Now Echo gets to show her the ropes around the Centre – including where all the best spots for finding reindeer food to hoover up are, and where all the antlers are kept!
Asta’s first day at work.
I’m looking forward to seeing what she thinks of the reindeer when she finally spots them from afar, and all the adventures her and Echo will have with their pals over the coming summer and beyond. The Reindeer Dogs are a very lucky bunch, and it’s so lovely for Echo and Asta to get to be apart of the gang!
Asta’s first summit of Meall a’Bhuachaille (she cheated and got to be carried most of the way!). Posing for a summit photo with all my pals Asta, Tuva, Moskki, Tiree, Sanna and Fraoch (plus the humans).
Time for part two of Emm’s wonderful blog, picking up where we left off last time – a broken Brenda and reindeer to herd!…
The next day I helped Lotti and Ruth walk the calves Oro and Flamenco around Glennmore. Akubra and Kulfi were the adult reindeer who came with us. I walked in front to make sure there were no dogs coming as reindeer are scared of dogs. They think that they are wolves. I also picked up the reindeer poo too if they went to the toilet.
Daisy and I did a very wet, windy and cold Hill Trip. We took the visitors to the Hill Trip spot but the reindeer were high near the ridge and were not coming down. So Daisy went up to encourage them down while I did the hand feed talk to the visitors and talked to them about reindeer facts and told them their names and naming themes. We then were able to feed the reindeer when they had come down with Daisy. We were splitting Sundae off because she is in season. I stayed with Sundae for most of the Hill Trip to keep an eye on her.
After the Hill Trip, I met Ruth and Lotti by the Sugar Bowl carpark and helped take Akubra, Kulfi and 2 calves called Disco and Foxtrot up to the hill enclosure. We were doing a Paddock swap as Disco and Foxtrot had finished their calf training school.
Emm walking Akubra and Foxtrot back to the hill enclosure.
I got very wet and soggy and had water in my wellies. It was like a loch in my wellies. Lol.
A very soggy team of herders! Ruth, Emm, Daisy and Lotti, still smiling despite the miserable weather.
Another day up on the hill, Vienna was looking miserable and sad and she kept going away from the other reindeer. So we put her in the shed area and pen with a friend and kept an eye on her and checking her temperature. The vet came to check her and did some treatments to see if they helped her and to see if it made her feel better. Along with Ruth I joined Daisy and Kate near the end of the Hill Trip. We needed to take Ceilidh’s temperature. We couldn’t catch her so Kate led Glacée, Ceilidh’s mum, and with Ruth I herded Ceilidh from behind to a smaller bit of the enclosure called the temporary corral. Daisy managed to catch Ceilidh to find she did have a temperature so Daisy injected Ceilidh to bring it down. Me and Kate took Glacée and Ceilidh to the shed to keep an eye on Ceilidh. Kate led them and I herded behind.
Glacée and a much brighter Ceilidh after spending some time being cared for by the herders.
The inside jobs I did were sweeping and hoovering around the Reindeer Centre. I also mopped the floor downstairs. I washed the wellies and put them up to dry then away later. I put a sticky label with the reindeer herds news on the back of each newsletter photo. I also put the newsletter and the newsletter photo into envelopes. I put the 1st year adopt packs together and I also did some shredding. I did feed mixing and hand feed mixing too, poo picking in the Paddocks and also let the reindeer through into their daytime Paddock area for their breakfast. In the evening I put them to bed and give them their tea in the night time Paddock area. I also got taught how to lock the Reindeer Centre’s carpark and swept the steps outside the Reindeer Centre, behind the lift and outside the front.
It is lovely meeting the visitors too on the Hill Trips. It is lovely seeing their reactions when they are amongst the reindeer and when they get to hand feed a reindeer. On most of the Hill Trips, I did the hand feed talk and on one of them I did the introduction talk. I also got to see my adopted reindeer Scully and Zoom while visiting which was fantastic. I met Scully’s calf called Rumba which I was very excited about.
Emm taking a selfie with the lovely Scully and Rumba.
Away from the visitors and Hill Trips and I was able to enjoy spending time with the herders. While I was there they went on a zipwire trek (run by local company G2 Outdoor) on one of the dark evenings and I was very lucky to be invited to join them. It was very exciting. When you went in, a pretend big spider suddenly came down on you and there was a ghost in the toilet. It had lights and Halloween things when you went around. You went over rivers and through trees. You had to do a torch flash saying the next person can go. I had a race with Andi at the end and I went so fast. I really enjoyed myself. It was such great fun. Thank you ever so much everyone for letting me come.
A night of zipping through the trees for the reindeer herders! All smiles from Andi, Emm, Sheena, Daisy, Lotti, Kate, Cameron, and Amy.
On another evening, my reindeer herding friends came around to our holiday cottage for a curry night which was great fun. My Dad and Mum had made lots of curry and we ate and chilled out and I gave them a tour of the holiday cottage. Sheena had brought around a great spider target game which we played. The spiders were sticky and they ended up hanging of the ceiling and one even dropped into Ruth’s curry. Lol.
A wonderful evening of delicious food, great company, and sticky spiders!
Another day I went on a lovely walk with Lotti by Pityoulish Loch and we had cups of tea and sat and chilled out on the pontoon and watched the wildlife. It was a lovely spot.
Lotti and Emm enjoying a lovely walk wildlife spotting.
I met Daisy who works at the Reindeer Centre and her lovely dog Echo who is very clever and we went on a lovely walk to Green Loch and then up through the trees at the back of the Reindeer Centre. I also met Fiona’s and Joe’s lovely puppy called Sanna who is very cute and I also met Alicia who works part time at the Reindeer Centre.
Echo teaching Sanna how to sneak up on the herders and steal the reindeer food!
It was so lovely to spend my spare time with such special friends doing things we all enjoyed. I can’t wait to go back in March 2026. I am counting down to the day. I am so excited.
In this latest blog I would like to share some memories from my visit in October 2025. It was very exciting as the new reindeer exhibition was open to visitors with lots of interactive things, videos, information and photo displays. It is so brilliant. The visitors will learn lots of things about reindeer and the history of the herd.
Emm is back, and we’re so thrilled! Emm, Lotti, Amy, and Jig all posing for a team photo!
On my first morning, I walked the calves around Glenmore with EK and Cameron. The calves this year (born in spring 2025) are named after types of dances so I had a lot of fun learning all their names. We walked Ballet and Polka with 2 adult reindeer.
Emm and EK walking Ballet and Polka during calf training.
We were getting them used to everyday things like people, traffic, being led and being handled. Afterwards, Cameron showed me his shed he had built for the reindeer poo bags so they don’t get wet and it is named the poo shed, and it is really good.
There were some new things in the Paddocks. The Santa’s bothy was being built by Alex and Cameron, and they were hoping it would be ready for Christmas. There was also an extended area for the reindeer in their daytime paddock area in the trees.
Santa’s Bothy under construction!
Jimmy the bull, who had been over on Silvermount in the hill enclosure with his group of girls, had finished his job with them so one morning Lotti, Ben and Cameron led him off the hill as he was going to go back to Tilly’s farm. We were also taking Gazelle off the hill to go back to the farm that morning too.
Boogie relaxing with some of our older boys.
I led Gazelle off the hill to Brenda (the truck we transport reindeer in). Ruth and I went to find Vienna one of Iskrem’s girls as they had been moved into a different part of the hill enclosure and she had become separated from them. Iskrem is a very calm bull. We found Vienna and we had to herd her up the hill, as she didn’t want to be caught, to join Iskrem and his girls. Then we moved them as a group to a different part of the hill enclosure. We were very lucky that day as we saw 6 Black Grouse lekking.
Our hill enclsoure isn’t just home to reindeer.
The day after, I went with Kate, Ruth and Daisy back to Silvermount in the hill enclosure so we could move Jimmy’s girls to where they were meant to be next. Nuii and Fab were missing so Kate went to look for them. We let a few of them out to be with the main herd in the east enclosure in the hill enclosure and I helped Daisy and Ruth take 5 reindeer across the hill enclosure from Silvermount to a different part of the hill enclosure, as they were going to go out onto the free-range soon. I led Orinoco and Suebi. Meanwhile Kate had found Nuii and Fab and brought them back to join the group.
Emm leading Orinoco and Suebi across the hill enclosure.
One day, the free-ranging reindeer were put in a part of the hill enclosure for a few hours so Amy could take Alba off the free-range, who needed to come into the enclosure for a short while.
Meanwhile Kate had gone to find 4 missing reindeer in the hill enclosure as they hadn’t turned up for breakfast or for the 2 Hill Trips and had been missing for the day. They were Pinto and her calf Quickstep and Borlotti and her calf Morris. Morris is such lovely natured and laid-back calf and is pure white meaning he is leucistic. Like some leucistic animals, Morris is deaf.
Emm and Morris relaxing on the hill.
I helped Amy put the free-range reindeer back out. We took them to the top ridge on the free range, Amy led and I was at the back. Then we went to help Kate who had found the 4 reindeer on Silvermount in the hill enclosure. Pinto had found a bag of handfeed and was eating out of the bag when Kate found them. We led Pinto and Borlotti on halters and their calves followed and I helped Amy herd at the back. We led them across the hill enclosure and took them to the shed to check them out and take their temperatures as reindeer being away from the herd might mean they are ill. Whilst out leading them we were lucky enough to see a mountain hare.
A mountain hare in winter colours.
One morning, the reindeer were slow coming down for breakfast in the hill enclosure. Some of the herd were with us and the rest were on Silvermount. As I helped Ruth call them down, Andi went up and herded them down from the top. We were then able to get them in position for the later Hill Trip.
Busby leading the way along the board walk ready for the days Hill Trip.
Unfortunately on our way back down at the end of the day Brenda broke down near the Sugar Bowl car park. The next day, she was towed away to be fixed, a sad sight!
Stay tuned for part two of Emm’s visit in October!
Time for another installment of our – rather sporadic – memorable reindeer series. This time it is Porjus’ turn for stardom!
What a handsome chap!
Back in 2004, we imported a batch of male reindeer, mostly calves and yearlings, from Sweden in order to bring in new bloodlines, and one of these yearlings was Porjus. He was named after a settlement up inside the Arctic circle in northern Sweden just north of the town of Jokkmokk, where our founder Mikel Utsi was from. His name was pronounced ‘porr-e-us’, though we frequently referred to him as ‘Gorgeous Porjus’, sounding the ‘j’ so the words rhymed!
Porjus, at the farm not long after he arrived from Sweden. He’s around 1 and 3/4 years old here.
By the time I started here in late 2007, Porjus was an adult and had just been used as a breeding bull in his second rut, going on to breed during the next three ruts too, his last crop of calves born in 2011. His genetics remain in the herd today, most prominently through the descendants of his daughter Chelsea (who include the lovely Winnie, Zap, Diamond – and somewhat less lovely Pumpkin (a reindeer with a serious attitude issue!)) and daughter Jenga, whose son is Jelly. Whilst Porjus fathered lots of offspring over the years, not every calf survives long term, but some of his better known male offspring were Gnu, Topi, Horse, Origami and Svalbard, though these lads didn’t follow in dad’s hoofprints and breed themselves.
Strutting his stuff in the 2010 rut, with Joni and Fiddle behind.
Porjus was a big, bulky reindeer, the ‘normal’ (average) colour for a reindeer, but with a distinctive paler forehead. Throughout each summer he always got incredibly fat – there was never any issue with his appetite – so much so we once tried to put him on a diet briefly (with hopeless results), but it never really mattered as bulls lose a lot of weight during the rutting season. A fat bull at the start of the rut is one that will go into winter in at least ok condition, as opposed to being underweight by the time the rut is over and winter arrives.
Fast asleep – saving his energy for the upcoming rut. Look at that belly!
Looking at our database, Porjus’ entry includes notes saying ‘A friendly boy’ and ‘well behaved during the rut’, and I certainly never remember being particularly wary around him during the autumn, though obviously we always give any bull a lot of respect at this time. Grandson, Jelly, would have done well to have considered Grandpa Porjus’ gentlemanly tendencies though – we planned to breed from him (Jelly) in 2023 and by less than halfway through the rut had changed our minds and castrated him instead!
Porjus’ grandson Jelly, looking like butter wouldn’t melt…
It is pretty unusual for a mature breeding bull to die in early autumn as they are in robust health ahead of the rut. However, Porjus did just that, dying extremely suddenly in September 2011 from an unknown cause (most probably tick-related), much to our dismay. However, whilst he left his mark in the form of his genetics in the last 20 years’ worth of reindeer born into our herd, he’s left another legacy too.
His is the incredible huge head in our Exhibition, gazing serenely over the thousands of people that come through our doors every year. Early autumn is the time of year reindeer look at their absolute best, with fresh thick winter coats and full grown antlers stripped of their velvet skin, so we therefore took the opportunity to have his head taxidermied. The only other taxidermied bull head we have hangs in Tilly’s house, having been brought from Sweden by Mr Utsi back in the 50s. For the last 14 years he and Porjus have gazed at each other across the room, but Porjus is so beautiful it would have been a waste for him to remain at the farm with hardly anyone seeing him.
So Porjus has found his rightful place back here at the Reindeer Centre – he was always a handsome lad during his lifetime, and now he is an awe-inspiring sight with his majestic look and his enormous antlers. I’m glad I knew him, and I’m glad to be able to admire him every time I come to work still.
