Red Squirrels in the National Park

Red Squirrel at Cormonachan Woodlands

Scotland’s Big 5

This guide is all about beautiful Red Squirrels, one of 'Scotland's Big 5'. In this article, you can discover more about the initiatives to increase the number of reds and recommended places in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs where you may be lucky enough to see them for yourself.

'Scotland's Big 5' are red squirrel, red deer, golden eagle, otter and harbour seal. These are five animals that can be seen in their native habitat in Scotland.

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Red Squirrels in Danger

The native red squirrel in the UK is in danger, approximately 140,000, of which 75% are in Scotland.

The reduction of the red squirrel population results from the spread of the non-native grey squirrels, which compete for food and space and carry a disease called squirrel pox, which is fatal to red squirrels. Although carriers themselves, the greys are immune to the disease.

In recent years red squirrels have made a comeback, particularly in Scotland. The National Park is almost a red-only zone, thanks to a concerted effort since the start of Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels (SSRS) project in 2009.

Highland Boundary Line

The Highland Boundary Fault Line runs through Scotland, cutting through the National Park. The boundary line is where the lowlands end and the Scottish Highlands begin. South of the line, there are both red and grey squirrels, whilst north of it, there are fewer greys, allowing the number of reds to increase.

Red Squirrel Trail, Balmaha

Red Squirrel project at RSPB Loch Lomond

Red Squirrels at Loch Lomond

A Red Squirrel Trail at Balmaha is an initiative by conservation charity Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, National Park Authority and Saving Red Squirrels. The trail starts from the National Park Visitor Centre. Occasionally Reds have been seen collecting hazelnuts from the trees next to the car park. Other locations for sightings include RSPB Loch Lomond at Gartocharn where there is a monitoring project, Cashel Forest, East Loch Lomond and Balloch Castle Country Park.

St Mocha Coffee Shops and their Loch Lomond Coffee Co. range supports Red Squirrel conservation through sales of bags of their roasted coffee beans, sold online and in their shops at Balmaha and Aberfoyle.

Loch Lomond Coffee supporting Red Squirrels

Red Squirrels at The Trossachs

The Lodge at Aberfoyle is an excellent place to see Red Squirrels using their hide. Also, in the Trossachs at Callander, there is work by residents and landowners to create a corridor of control to reduce the likelihood of grey squirrels coming into the National Park from Stirling. Squirrel feeders have recently been added to the eco lodges at Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine.

Red Squirrel at Cormonachan Woodlands

Red Squirrels AT Argyll Forest

Benmore Botanical Garden, Glenbranter Forest and Cormonachan Woodlands, by Loch Goil, have hides and feeding stations. I especially recommend Cormonachan Woodlands.

Plan Your Visit 

If you plan to visit Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, consider ordering our book ‘101 things to do in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs’, a photo guidebook of things to do and places to explore. Click here to purchase. 

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Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

Please let us know if you found the guide helpful in the comments section below.