HI Iain
The Speyside area is the area I know best so I’ll stick to this.
All through the Strathspey area you’ll find plenty of large tracts of woodland with species including Birch, Scots Pine, Alder and Aspen. In fact the town of Kingussie, although now surrounded by mainly moorland, in Gaelic means something like ‘head of the pinewood’, which gives an indication of its past.
The Rothiemurchus Estate, particulary the area around Lochan Eilein contains some of the remaining remnants of the old Caledonian pine forest habitats. Fantastic old Scots Pine trees with Juniper, Heather and Blaeberry understory. Keep your eye out for the amazing lichens which clad large parts of the trees. Some very boggy habitat here also. Species there include: Crested Tits, Scottish Crossbills,
Red Squirrel, Buzzard and Goldeneye on the Loch.
Abernethy Forest around Loch Garton, although a lot is now planted, still has good areas of older Pines. Would be a bit late to see Osprey, but may have chance of Capercaillie and
Red Squirrel at the visitor centre. Also Crossbills and Cresties here too. Goldeneye and Goosander on the Loch. This area has a good invertebrate population with over 350 beetle species, 11 dragonflies and 280 moths and butterflies, including many rare northern species.
The RSPB reserve on Loch Insh is located in one of the most extensive river marshes in Britain. An important area for wintering wildfowl, it has many species including Goldeneye, Teal, Wigeon and Whooper Swans. Hen Harriers roost in the large marshy areas.
Northern Cairngorms area (ski lifts to Cairngorm summit) offer Ptarmigan, Red Grouse and
Mountain Hare. Snow Buntings often in car park. Would be a bit late for Dotterel. You may have a slim chance of Golden Eagle and Peregrine, so keep an eye out! There is actually a managed herd of Reindeer here as well. The area on the peaks consists of shattered granite interspersed with Heather, Juniper, Blaeberry and many rare alpine specialist plants.
There are many other areas but with a limited timetable, I don’t think you’d manage these!
A few of web links:
http://www.rothiemurchus.net/ http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/index.shtml http://www.snh.org.uk/ http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/ http://www.jbutler.org.uk/Scotland/Cairngorms/
Hope this helps
Alan