Follow rare white-tailed eagle's Highland journey with special map

The public can follow the journey of Mar’verick, the rare white-tailed eagle with a special map that documents his travels around the Highlands.

Mar’verick, born at Aberdeenshire’s Mar Lodge Estate and named after Maverick, the iconic fighter pilot in the film Top Gun, has been closely monitored since birth as part of RSPB Scotland’s East Scotland Sea Eagle introduction project, allowing the National Trust for Scotland and the RSPB to form a map documenting his travels around the country. Until 2020 white-tailed eagles had not been bred successfully in Deeside, making it even more special to have this rare raptor species nesting at Mar Lodge Estate.

The National Trust for Scotland hopes that not only will this unique tracking data help experts to monitor the growth of Scotland’s white-tailed eagle population – which is an endangered species – but also inspire people to follow the adventures of Mar’verick around Scotland this summer.

Data provided by RSPB Scotland shows the eagle has travelled from Mar Lodge Estate in Aberdeenshire up across the north of Scotland and all the way down to the isle of Arran, between January and April 2023. In just a three-month period, Mar’verick visited over 20 Trust places, including Brodie Castle and Culloden.

Mar’verick’s adventures and visits have inspired the conservation charity to call on the people of the Highlands and Islands to follow his example and support its work to protect, share and enjoy nature, beauty and heritage this summer, by visiting some of the most unique and special places in Scotland.

From tours around Brodie Castle, to learning about the history of the battle of Culloden and experiencing a guided walking tour of the battlefield, or visiting one of the breathtaking islands such as Canna and Iona, there’s no shortage of fascinating places to visit across the Highlands and Islands with the National Trust for Scotland.

Following the launch of its 10-year strategy, Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone, in March last year, the National Trust for Scotland has focused on caring for Scotland’s special places, providing access and enjoyment and being a sustainable charity.

This work is possible thanks to the support of members and donors. To support the conservation charity’s work to care for Scotland’s special places, become a member at www.nts.org.uk.

For more information on the National Trust for Scotland, or the events taking place in your area, visit: www.nts.org.uk.

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