Pine Martens at Strathyre
Forest Holidays' resident pine martens
Pine martens are an iconic woodland species and, as members of the mustelid family, they are close cousins to otters, badgers and weasels. They are roughly the size of domestic cats, with red-brown fur and a distinctive yellow ‘bib’ marking on their throats. Though they are thriving in Scotland, pine martens are in danger of extinction in England and Wales and are one of the rarest native mammals in Great Britain.
Discover these elusive, cheeky creatures on film
The pine marten diaries
Public knowledge of pine martens is limited; in fact when we mention the pine marten to most of our guests they immediately think it is a bird, related perhaps to the house martin. But when they catch a glimpse of these lesser-known mustelids their curiosity is piqued. One of our guests at cabin 26 was so intrigued by their antics that she started a pine marten diary, asking other guests to capture their own sightings. The diary entries clearly show that our guests are thrilled with the opportunity to witness these fascinating animals in their natural habitat.
World of the pine marten
Forest Ranger, Jack Black, shares his knowledge of these lovable creatures. What do pine martens eat? Where do they sleep? Why are they so rare and elusive? Our Forest Ranger, Jack Black, answers these questions and more as we delve into the secret and fascinating life of the pine marten.
Pine marten conservation
Pine martens were once widely distributed throughout Britain. However, the species is now in danger of extinction in England and Wales and is protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, and classified as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
How did this decline happen and what is being done to ensure these remarkable animals not only survive but actually grow their numbers across Britain once again?
Find out more about pine marten conservation
Scottish wildlife holidays
As well as pine martens, the beautiful landscapes of Scotland are home to many other amazing wild animals, from the majestic golden eagle to the stunning red deer. A Forest Holiday in Scotland will reward you with a connection to the natural world at its most glorious.