The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre near Glenmore offers guided hill visits to the free-ranging herd that lives on the plateau above. There are around 150 reindeer in the herd, descended from animals imported from Sweden in 1952 — the first successful reindeer reintroduction in Britain. The herd roams the open hillside above the tree line and is moved between grazing areas seasonally.
Guided visits leave from the centre and walk up to wherever the herd is that day, typically a 30-45 minute walk to 400-600 metres altitude. The reindeer are habituated to people and will come for food from the guides. The daily visit is a different experience in winter — the animals' white winter coats, the snow on the ground, and the sub-zero temperatures make the encounter feel genuinely Scandinavian. Santa-themed visits in December book out fast.