Posted on March 1, 2010.
Adopt a Reindeer Find-me-gift Once you take the reins you are invited to visit the herd of 150 reindeer so they could thank you all to become their friend to help them continue their happy lives!
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When you become a friend of Rudolph, you not only help to support the only reindeer herd in Britain but also receive a beautiful red gift pack presented sheet that contains many good things and a personalized certificate (at receipt of the registration card).
Gift Pack includes:
A fully customized certificate
Welcome Letter
A reindeer plush
History of the Cairngorm reindeer herd
Two pages of Reindeer facts
Photos details Cairngorm reindeer herd contact, etc.
A registration card pre-paid
A membership card valid for 12 months
A voucher that allows free entry to the center
History and Information
The Cairngorm Reindeer were reintroduced from northern Sweden by a Swedish reindeer herder Mikel Utsi. By visiting the Highlands in 1947 he realized they were full of all the food needed a reindeer as soil, rock and tree lichens, vegetation little used by other native animals. He brought some of his Swedish mountain reindeer to Scotland in 1952 as an experiment to show that they can live and reproduce successfully in the area. Since then, the stock experienced a free and natural life in the Cairngorm Mountains from about 6,000 acres of hill, staying above the treeline is between 450m and 1250m. All reindeer herd have names and their caregivers can recognize them all by sight.
The Cairngorm reindeer descended from domestic stock, so they are unique in how they are so friendly and comfortable with people while continuing to live free and wild. The herd of origin only lived in the Cairngorms, but due to problems with stray dogs worrying and ingestion of litter livestock have never been able to exceed 70. In 1990 a second site was found for part of the herd by Tomintoul Glenlivet Estate and the happiness and well-being of the herd has been greatly improved if part of the herd was transferred to the new site. Since then, the number of livestock increased by about 150 and they have all benefited from this change. The number in the herd is maintained at a constant level by controlled breeding, but since the herd was established many hundreds of reindeer have been born in Scotland.
The reindeer live on the hill open all year so that visitors flock to be able to meet them in their natural environment. There are plots in the center, where a small group of reindeer and reindeer that need special attention, such as supplementary feeding after an illness, maybe stay.
The primary caregivers of the herd are Alan and Tilly Smith. Alan has been with the reins in 1978 when he was appointed head reindeer herder Mikel Utsi. After his death in 1979 Mikel Utsi Alan continued to deal with reindeer, and in 1981, Tilly joined as a volunteer in the middle of summer and never left. They took over full power of the herd in 1989 and are assisted by a small team of assistants.
