The ancient Caledonian forest has been dwindling away for years. The lack of predators meant that Red Deer were ravaging the new saplings, and regeneration was a real problem. Recently, steps have been taken by some shooting estates, to reduce deer numbers, and slowly the forest is coming back.
These Scots Pines were on the approach to Loch Etchachan & Beinn Mac Duibh (Ben Macdui) - a long walk-in from Braemar