Carn Bheadhair, Abernethy National Nature Reserve, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

Located in the Scottish Highlands within the Cairngorms National Park, Abernethy National Nature Reserve encompasses one of Britain's largest remaining areas of ancient Caledonian pinewood, stretching from the River Nethy valley up to the high plateau of the Cairngorms mountain range. The reserve protects a diverse mosaic of habitats including ancient Scots pine forest with gnarled trees, juniper, rowan and birch alongside moorland, peatland, wetlands and alpine plateau environments. This habitat diversity supports remarkable wildlife such as the Scottish crossbill (Britain's only endemic bird species), crested tits, ospreys, the rare capercaillie, red squirrels, pine martens and potentially wildcats in more remote areas, whilst over 200 plant species have been recorded across the reserve.