Celebrating Our Cairngorm Lodges Red Squirrels

Today we are celebrating “Squirrel Appreciation Day” together with “Hug Day”. These special heart warming days are celebrated on the 21st January, so we thought as we did this last year lets do it all again! So this is a shared showcase of love with a Red Squirrel photography and video competition for both our Cairngorm Lodges and sister site Cairngorm Bothies and hopefully raises a smile with the #HugASquirrelGiggle

From today the 21st January we will be sharing guest & visitor entries* that are shared with us that are taken at Cairngorm Lodges and/or Bothies. Our photos and video will celebrate the red squirrel and their antics, mischief that these loveable cheeky wee fur balls bring, with a winning photograph and a video being chosen on Friday 28th February 2025. 

As we raise the awareness of the Red Squirrel in this light hearted way, it must be highlighted the continued serious plight that this endangered Scottish species faces. Sadly, the grey squirrel is not far away with their regular sightings in Aberdeen’s city parks. Click to read details on what causes the red squirrels in Scotland to be under threat.

Ways we continue to support our pure red squirrels is protecting their environmental needs, whilst providing our guests with their memorable forest experience including that of being immersed in the sights and sounds of our natural wildlife. With the right conditions the wildlife will come and check out our guests and even pay a visit to the lodges or bothies. We encourage our guests to interact on any of our lodges or bothies doorsteps with the wildlife, and regularly receive reviews and photos from happy guests on their sightings and visits. Red squirrels are inquisitive wee chaps and guests are regularly rewarded when temptation is put their way in the form of a monkey nut treat or two 🙂

We also introduce our guests to the Scottish Red Squirrel statistical counter this along with the National Red Squirrel month in October are keys times that we share.

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Rules of Our Red Squirrel Photography & Video Competition

Eligibility:

• Photographs or Videos must be owned by the entrant and in submitting their Photograph or Video they are understood to be making this declaration along with allowing Cairngorm Lodges & Bothies full permission to use this entry at no charge for the chance to win a £50 gift voucher for use at Cairngorm Lodges or Bothies.  
• Competition is open to all Cairngorm Lodges and Bothies visitors of all ages who are interested in capturing & sharing (or already have a photograph/video from their stay or forest visit to Cairngorm Lodges and/or Bothies) These photographs/videos must be posted in the following Facebook Event feed as a comment along with the #HugASquirrelGiggle.
• One entry per person (Choose from Photography or Video for your one entry)
• Subject : The photography/video should capture the essence of raising a smile or giggle in the context of the red squirrels interactions and have not been previously submitted to us in any of our Photography or video competitions.
• Location Verification: To qualify, the photography or video must be taken within the Cairngorm Lodges and or Bothies area and feature a red squirrel. Photographs or video with notable Cairngorm Lodges or Bothies landmark(s) or dates of a guests stay will be used as details to verify the authenticity of entries.
• No Manipulation: Entries should not be heavily edited or manipulated. Minor adjustments for brightness, contrast, and cropping are acceptable, but major alterations that compromise the integrity of the content are not allowed. 
• Squirrel Welfare: Please do not stress and do not disturb the squirrels during the photography process. Always remember to maintain a safe distance and avoid any actions that might cause stress to the animals.
• Post/entry Deadline: Midnight Sunday 23rd February 2025 on our Cairngorms Lodges Facebook events page “Cairngorm Lodges Photo Competition – Red Squirrel”

Terms and Conditions Of Our Red Squirrel Photography & Video Competition

• This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook or Instagram
• Each media format will have 1 winner. Each will be announced on Cairngorm Lodges and Cairngorm Bothies Facebook page Friday 28th February 2025.
• NB Photography and Video are the accepted media. Images and videos must not have been previously submitted to us in any of our Photography or video competitions. 
• Winners will be chosen in collaboration with our Cairngorm Lodges and Cairngorm Bothies Facebook entry comments and their received “likes” along with the Cairngorm Lodges & Cairngorm Bothies team and their decision is final. The winners will each receive a £50 Gift Voucher that can be used against any Cairngorm Lodge of Cairngorm Bothy Holiday. No cash alternative is offered. 
• We will share our validated entries from the 24th February 2025 on our social pages with the winners chosen and shared 9am Friday 28th February 2025.
• Employees of Cairngorm Lodges and Cairngorm Bothies are excluded.