Regeneration
The Cairngorms tell a story of depletion—and now, of renewal. Centuries of overgrazing by deer and sheep stripped away what was once a thriving ecosystem, leaving behind open moorlands and fragmented habitats. Today, as grazing pressure is reduced—through controversial deer culls, policy changes, and shifts in land management—signs of natural regeneration are beginning to appear. Young trees and native plants are reclaiming ground, hinting at what the landscape could become if allowed to recover. Yet this transformation is contentious, dividing landowners, conservationists, and local communities over questions of identity, economy, and the future of the Highlands.
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