These are my local hills. I have climbed many of the higher peaks, generally from the Braemar side. They are magnificent mountains, but for me their most attractive feature is their extensive woodlands. Some of the finest remaining examples of remnant Caledonian pinewood are to be found on Speyside and Deeside, and the wider Cairngorm area contains important areas of native birchwood at places like Craigellachie near Aviemore, Morrone near Braemare, and Muir of Dinnet near Aboyne.