Wildlife

A Scottish holiday Cottage
and roe deer

We are fortunate that Roe Deer abound in the woods and glens around Squirrel self catering holiday cottage. Roe deer are a native species to Britain. They are found all over main land Scotland. In England they are found in the north east, east and southern parts. They are relatively small, 63 to 69cm shoulder height, the size of a goat, hence their Latin name Capreolus capreolus meaning 'small goat'. They can live up to 20 years and weigh between 18 to 26Kg (37 to 55lbs).

All the photographs on this page are taken in the woods directly behind Squirrel holiday self catering cottage, and many are actually taken from the bedroom in the cottage that looks out in the Oak wood behind Squirrel Cottage.

This photograph on the right is of a Roe Deer stag with his new set of furry antlers horns.

Each year a new set of antlers are grown, about 25cm long, which are used to fight off other males and then are shed at the beginning of winter.

The antlers have a maximum of three points to each antler, unlike the much larger Red deer that can have more than half a dozen points to each antler.

The photograph on the left shows a Roe Deer stag with his antlers fully grown and the fur having been rubbed off.

Roe deer have sandy red-brown fur in summer and rather grey-brown in winter. Mating takes place during late July and August, three months earlier than other species of deer in Britain. Twins are often born in May or June the following year. The young have a distinct line of spots along their back.

This photograph on the right was taken about midday in late winter from Squirrel self catering holiday cottage's bedroom. The stag had come to browse the ivy that grows by Squirrel Cottage's bedroom window. At this time we were using the bedroom in Squirrel Cottage as an office, hence the papers in the foreground.

There is a walk that we often go on and regularly see Roe deer. Almost guaranteed during the long summer evenings of June, July, August. Ask us when you stay and we will give you details of the walk.

This photograph on the left was taken from Squirrel cottage bedroom window. One winter's morning we woke up and found this stag lying down chewing the cud some 10 metres from the window.

In the photograph on the left you can clearly see the white 'ace of spades' on the female's rump. The male has a kidney shaped white patch on his rump.

© Copyright 2004 Squirrel Cottage. All rights reserved.

• Views from the hills above Killiecrankie.
  Squirrel cottage is located in the pass
  below this hill top view.