The Mar Lodge Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms is home to over
5,000 species in its vast expanse of Caledonian woodlands, subarctic
mountains, bogs, moors, roaring burns and frozen lochs. Due to
centuries of human abuse the ancient pinewoods were dying. It would
take radical measures to save them. 25 years on the pinewoods, bogs,
moors and mountains are returning to their former glory. Regeneration
is the story of this success. It is also engaged in the debate on
current controversies such as raptor persecution, deer management and
rewilding.Andrew Painting grew up in the south of England and studied
English at King’s College, London and Environmental Anthropology at
Aberdeen University. He moved to Scotland to volunteer with the RSPB
and since 2016 has been Assistant Ecologist at the Mar Lodge
Estate.Meet Andrew Painting and hear his story.
