Tilly
Tilly came to volunteer in 1981 and fell in love with the reindeer, the mountains and the keeper! She married Alan and they took over the herd in 1989. Tilly is now based at our Glenlivet hill farm but is often at Glenmore to help with the reindeer here.

Alan
Alan started working with the reindeer back in 1978, as Mr Utsi’s assistant herder. He’s taking more of a backseat these days and is based at our hill farm, but is most often found taking part in a hill race!

Fiona
Fiona is Alan and Tilly’s daughter, and has been closely involved with the herd since she was born. She now manages the day-to-day running of the Centre, when she’s not away taking part in amazing adventures like the Everest marathon.

Alex
Alex is Alan and Tilly’s son, and can turn his hand to herding reindeer, fixing anything and carrying vast amounts of feed onto the hill. He is dad to Hamish and Marley, the first of the next generation of Scottish reindeer herders.

Catriona
Catriona looks after the books and makes sure that our accounts run smoothly. She’s known as “the Oracle” as she always seems to have the answer to any administrative, financial – or personal – issue!

Hen
Hen came for the Christmas season in 2007 and never managed to leave. She has an encyclopedic memory for which reindeer is related to which, and is the go-to person for identifying reindeer in a photo.

Andi
Andi came for the summer of 2010 and now can’t imagine living anywhere else. She somehow seems to have gained the title of “technical advisor”, but is happiest out with the herd on the hill.

Lotti
Lotti’s parents are friends of the family, so Lotti has been coming up to help out since she was 13. After working here for several years during uni holidays, Lotti is now here full time, and her sunny smile keeps us all happy!

Ruth
Ruth rejoined our team after a few years away, and is the loveliest lass, always helpful and with a warm welcome to all of our visitors. She’s also our latest Blog Wrangler, making sure you’re entertained every Friday!

Sheena
Sheena has been a friend of the herders for a long time, and has become more involved over the last few years. Her cheerful hard-working attitude keeps us all buoyed up during busy spells, and her artistic abilities help make her the Queen of ‘Christmas Fun’!

Amy
Amy joined our team in Spring 2022 and quickly proved to have a natural talent for working with the reindeer, having a background in dairy farming.

Lisette
Lisette has lots of past experience with sheep, and was keen to get involved with animals again. She has quickly got to grips with these new beasts and her cheery enthusiasm puts a smile on everyone’s face.

Cameron
Cameron came to volunteer with the herd in 2022 and then came back to work with the herd that autumn. He’s the go-to person for building and fixing things, and the king of random facts about just about any subject!

Cassie
Cassie has worn many different hats in her life, and we’ve been delighted to have her join the team. She’s the best person ever at making easy conversation!

Mel
Mel has been an occasional herder since 2005, coming back to work here in between other varied seasonal jobs. She’s always full of enthusiasm and slips straight back into the role. And is constantly losing things…

Joe
Joe first came to visit as a friend of a friend when he was completing an impressive winter run round the local mountains. Over time we’ve roped him in and he’s now a regular seasonal herder, especially over the winter months, and he’s now married into the family!

Sally
Sally has worked with the herd seasonally for a long long time, whilst spending the rest of her year working with cattle in the Lake District. She’s known for her endless energy and enthusiasm!

Ben
Ben’s quiet manner and experience with guiding groups of visitors have meant he has taken to reindeer herding with ease. His lovely dog Dug has also become part of the Reindeer House family!

Kate
Kate grew up locally and has worked at the Highland Wildlife Park before coming to join us here as an occasional herder. She is a great photographer and a confident tour guide.

Chris
Chris may have only started working here properly in 2017, but he has been adopting a reindeer since 1998 with several spells of volunteering in-between, so has a firm grasp of how things run. He’s a budding hill-runner and often found out on a mountain.

Manouk
Manouk first visited the reindeer on holiday from the Netherlands  a few years ago then came back to volunteer in 2017, making a great impression with staff, reindeer and the dogs. Manouk joined full time in 2018 and though she now works in teaching, comes back occasionally.

Fran
Fran first visited the reindeer in 2022, came to volunteer, then joined the team for summer 2023. We’re hoping to get her back again for another stint at some point!

Isla
Isla has a long family association with the reindeer, having ridden on the sleigh as a 4 year old at her mum’s wedding! She came to work for us seasonally from 2023.

Hannah
Hannah first visited the reindeer in 2018, came to volunteer then joined the team for summer 2023. She left with a lasting memento – one of Tilly’s border terrier puppies!

Emm
Emm is our most regular volunteer, who seems to spend more and more of her year up here! She has a great memory for the reindeer and her annotated herd lists are legendary. She is always bubbling with enthusiasm and loves sharing her knowledge with visitors.

Emily  
Emily is part of the family after marrying Alex, so does the odd bit of work with us here at the Centre as and when.