← Back✦ Historic site

The Whim

📷 Douglas Nelson · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects

Dogs welcome

Getting here

56.78069, -3.86893

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot +68 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot +68 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Common Awl Robberfly, Orange-tip, Large Red Damselfly +34 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Common Awl Robberfly, Orange-tip, Large Red Damselfly +34 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Mushroom foraging

Good match

Fungi — Fairy Ring Champignon, Puccinia poarum, Dyer's Mazegill · last seen 2023; Fungi — Fairy Ring Champignon, Puccinia poarum, Dyer's Mazegill · last seen 2023

Varies

Seasonal nature

Good match

Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Downy Veilwort, Giant Bellflower +10 more · last seen 2020; Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Downy Veilwort, Giant Bellflower +10 more · last seen 2020

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Public Footpath to Blair AthollWalking route

Named routeLocal walking route

Glen Banvie TrailWalking route14.5 km

Named routeLength 14.5 kmRound tripLocal walking route

Woodend WalkWalking route7.2 km

Named routeLength 7.2 kmRound tripLocal walking route

Red Squirrel WalkWalking route1.6 km

Named routeLength 1.6 kmRound tripLocal walking route

Glen Tilt TrailWalking route16 km

Named routeLength 16 kmRound tripLocal walking route

🚴

Cycling

8 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route 7Cycling route

Named routeRef 7National Cycle Network

EuroVelo 1 - Atlantic Coast Route - part United Kingdom 1Cycling route

Named routeRef EV1International cycle route

The Banvie CircuitCycling route

Named routeRef 12Local cycle route

Main RouteCycling route762 m

Named routeRef 7Length 762 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route20 m

Named routeRef 7Length 20 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route533 m

Named routeRef 7Length 533 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Cairngorms LoopMountain bike route

Named route

Wildlife to spot

2,987 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

2,987 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds72 species

springautumn

2026

Tufted Duck · Mallard · Coot · Moorhen · Little Grebe +67

Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
CootFulica atra2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
RobinErithacus rubecula
BlackbirdTurdus merula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2024
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
BuzzardButeo buteo2025
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2024
Coal TitPeriparus ater2024
Common GullLarus canus2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2024
Great TitParus major2024
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
Mute SwanCygnus olor2023
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2024
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2024
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba2024
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2024
JayGarrulus glandarius2024
DipperCinclus cinclus2024
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2024
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2024
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2024
House MartinDelichon urbicum2021
SwiftApus apus2025
NuthatchSitta europaea2024
House SparrowPasser domesticus2024
SiskinSpinus spinus2024
RookCorvus frugilegus2024
GoosanderMergus merganser2024
TealAnas crecca2024
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2023
SwallowHirundo rustica2021
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2024
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2024
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2024
DunnockPrunella modularis
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2023
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2023
GreenfinchChloris chloris2020
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2020
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2024
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2021
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2020
Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2025
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrix2025
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2024
ScaupAythya marila2023
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2023
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2019
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2018
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2018
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2025
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2024
CrossbillLoxia curvirostra2024
Rock DoveColumba livia2021
RavenCorvus corax2020
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix2020
CuckooCuculus canorus2019
Garden WarblerSylvia borin2018
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2018
Tree PipitAnthus trivialis2018
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2017
WigeonMareca penelope2017
LapwingVanellus vanellus2016

🦌

Mammals6 species

autumn

2026

Red Squirrel · Roe Deer · Red Deer · Mole · Hedgehog +1

Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus2024
Red DeerCervus elaphus2025
MoleTalpa europaea2018
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2024
Pine MartenMartes martes2019

🐸

Amphibians2 species

springsummer

2025

Common Toad · Common Frog

Common ToadBufo bufo
Common FrogRana temporaria2024

🐝

Insects37 species

summer

2025

Common Awl Robberfly · Orange-tip · Large Red Damselfly · Common Hawker · Small Garden Bumblebee +32

Common Awl RobberflyNeoitamus cyanurus2024
Orange-tipAnthocharis cardamines2018
Large Red DamselflyPyrrhosoma nymphula
Common HawkerAeshna juncea
Small Garden BumblebeeBombus hortorum2023
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2023
Figwort WeevilCionus scrophulariae2021
Graphomya maculataGraphomya maculata2021
Phasia hemipteraPhasia hemiptera2021
5-spot LadybirdCoccinella quinquepunctata2021
Garden ChaferPhyllopertha horticola2021
Sericomyia silentisSericomyia silentis2021
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2021
Four-spotted ChaserLibellula quadrimaculata
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum
Azure DamselflyCoenagrion puella
Northern DamselflyCoenagrion hastulatum
Blue-tailed DamselflyIschnura elegans
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes
Strawberry Seed BeetleHarpalus rufipes
Green Tiger BeetleCicindela campestris
Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus2024
Clay-coloured WeevilOtiorhynchus singularis2024
Dalopius marginatusDalopius marginatus2024
Denticollis linearisDenticollis linearis2024
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius2023
White/Buff-tailed Bumblebee workersBombus lucorum/terrestris2023
Anoplotrupes stercorosusAnoplotrupes stercorosus2022
Greater Horntail WaspUrocerus gigas2020
Pterostichus melanariusPterostichus melanarius2020
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2019
Small CopperLycaena phlaeas2019
Larch LadybirdAphidecta obliterata2017
RingletAphantopus hyperantus2016
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata2016
Red-Breasted Carrion BeetleOiceoptoma thoracicum2016
Northern CockchaferMelolontha hippocastani2016

🍄

Fungi3 species

spring

2023

Fairy Ring Champignon · Puccinia poarum · Dyer's Mazegill

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades
Puccinia poarumPuccinia poarum
Dyer's MazegillPhaeolus schweinitzii

🌿

Plants21 species

summer

2024

Common Rock-rose · Whorled Solomon's-seal · Herb-Paris · Heath False-brome · Himalayan Balsam +16

Common Rock-roseHelianthemum nummularium2023
Whorled Solomon's-sealPolygonatum verticillatum
Herb-ParisParis quadrifolia2021
Heath False-bromeBrachypodium pinnatum2020
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera2017
GooseberryRibes uva-crispa2022
Maidenhair SpleenwortAsplenium trichomanes2022
FeverfewTanacetum parthenium2022
Ivy-leaved ToadflaxCymbalaria muralis2022
Wall LettuceMycelis muralis2022
Downy VeilwortMetzgeria pubescens2020
Yellow SaxifrageSaxifraga aizoides2019
Giant BellflowerCampanula latifolia2016
Dotted LoosestrifeLysimachia punctata2016
Common ToadflaxLinaria vulgaris2016
Brachypodium pinnatumBrachypodium pinnatum2016
Grey-bracted HawkweedHieracium sublepistoides2016
Broad-leaved Meadow-grassPoa chaixii2016
Dahlstedt's DandelionTaraxacum stenoglossum2016
Hieracium exotericumHieracium exotericum2016
White Wood-rushLuzula luzuloides2016

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

2,987 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds72 species

springautumn

2026

Tufted Duck · Mallard · Coot · Moorhen · Little Grebe +67

Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
CootFulica atra2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
RobinErithacus rubecula
BlackbirdTurdus merula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2024
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
BuzzardButeo buteo2025
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2024
Coal TitPeriparus ater2024
Common GullLarus canus2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2024
Great TitParus major2024
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
Mute SwanCygnus olor2023
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2024
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2024
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba2024
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2024
JayGarrulus glandarius2024
DipperCinclus cinclus2024
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2024
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2024
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2024
House MartinDelichon urbicum2021
SwiftApus apus2025
NuthatchSitta europaea2024
House SparrowPasser domesticus2024
SiskinSpinus spinus2024
RookCorvus frugilegus2024
GoosanderMergus merganser2024
TealAnas crecca2024
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2023
SwallowHirundo rustica2021
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2024
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2024
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2024
DunnockPrunella modularis
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2023
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2023
GreenfinchChloris chloris2020
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2020
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2024
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2021
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2020
Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2025
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrix2025
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2024
ScaupAythya marila2023
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2023
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2019
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2018
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2018
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2025
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2024
CrossbillLoxia curvirostra2024
Rock DoveColumba livia2021
RavenCorvus corax2020
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix2020
CuckooCuculus canorus2019
Garden WarblerSylvia borin2018
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2018
Tree PipitAnthus trivialis2018
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2017
WigeonMareca penelope2017
LapwingVanellus vanellus2016

🦌

Mammals6 species

autumn

2026

Red Squirrel · Roe Deer · Red Deer · Mole · Hedgehog +1

Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus2024
Red DeerCervus elaphus2025
MoleTalpa europaea2018
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2024
Pine MartenMartes martes2019

🐸

Amphibians2 species

springsummer

2025

Common Toad · Common Frog

Common ToadBufo bufo
Common FrogRana temporaria2024

🐝

Insects37 species

summer

2025

Common Awl Robberfly · Orange-tip · Large Red Damselfly · Common Hawker · Small Garden Bumblebee +32

Common Awl RobberflyNeoitamus cyanurus2024
Orange-tipAnthocharis cardamines2018
Large Red DamselflyPyrrhosoma nymphula
Common HawkerAeshna juncea
Small Garden BumblebeeBombus hortorum2023
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2023
Figwort WeevilCionus scrophulariae2021
Graphomya maculataGraphomya maculata2021
Phasia hemipteraPhasia hemiptera2021
5-spot LadybirdCoccinella quinquepunctata2021
Garden ChaferPhyllopertha horticola2021
Sericomyia silentisSericomyia silentis2021
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2021
Four-spotted ChaserLibellula quadrimaculata
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum
Azure DamselflyCoenagrion puella
Northern DamselflyCoenagrion hastulatum
Blue-tailed DamselflyIschnura elegans
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes
Strawberry Seed BeetleHarpalus rufipes
Green Tiger BeetleCicindela campestris
Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus2024
Clay-coloured WeevilOtiorhynchus singularis2024
Dalopius marginatusDalopius marginatus2024
Denticollis linearisDenticollis linearis2024
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius2023
White/Buff-tailed Bumblebee workersBombus lucorum/terrestris2023
Anoplotrupes stercorosusAnoplotrupes stercorosus2022
Greater Horntail WaspUrocerus gigas2020
Pterostichus melanariusPterostichus melanarius2020
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2019
Small CopperLycaena phlaeas2019
Larch LadybirdAphidecta obliterata2017
RingletAphantopus hyperantus2016
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata2016
Red-Breasted Carrion BeetleOiceoptoma thoracicum2016
Northern CockchaferMelolontha hippocastani2016

🍄

Fungi3 species

spring

2023

Fairy Ring Champignon · Puccinia poarum · Dyer's Mazegill

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades
Puccinia poarumPuccinia poarum
Dyer's MazegillPhaeolus schweinitzii

🌿

Plants21 species

summer

2024

Common Rock-rose · Whorled Solomon's-seal · Herb-Paris · Heath False-brome · Himalayan Balsam +16

Common Rock-roseHelianthemum nummularium2023
Whorled Solomon's-sealPolygonatum verticillatum
Herb-ParisParis quadrifolia2021
Heath False-bromeBrachypodium pinnatum2020
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera2017
GooseberryRibes uva-crispa2022
Maidenhair SpleenwortAsplenium trichomanes2022
FeverfewTanacetum parthenium2022
Ivy-leaved ToadflaxCymbalaria muralis2022
Wall LettuceMycelis muralis2022
Downy VeilwortMetzgeria pubescens2020
Yellow SaxifrageSaxifraga aizoides2019
Giant BellflowerCampanula latifolia2016
Dotted LoosestrifeLysimachia punctata2016
Common ToadflaxLinaria vulgaris2016
Brachypodium pinnatumBrachypodium pinnatum2016
Grey-bracted HawkweedHieracium sublepistoides2016
Broad-leaved Meadow-grassPoa chaixii2016
Dahlstedt's DandelionTaraxacum stenoglossum2016
Hieracium exotericumHieracium exotericum2016
White Wood-rushLuzula luzuloides2016

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Douglas Nelson · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Whim, Blair Castle

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Blair Atholl Playing FieldsUrban park2.2 km→⛪Blair Atholl and Struan Parish ChurchReligious grounds2.2 km→🌱Blair CastleUrban park1.1 km→🌱Hercules GardenUrban park1.3 km→✦Blair AthollHistoric site2.2 km→✦Blair CastleHistoric site1.1 km→

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