Scotland's reindeer

Reindeer were introduced to Scotland in 1952 by a Swedish reindeer herder, Mikel Utsi. He visited the Rothiemurchus forest in Invernessshire in 1947 and it reminded him of reindeer pastures in his native Lapland. Starting from 29 reindeer which bred successfully, the herd has grown in numbers over the years and there are now between 130 and 150 animals living in a natural environment on the Cairngorm mountains and the Cromdale hills Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR

The last reliable record of reindeer in Britain was 8,300 years ago. It is thought that they disappeared as a result of climate change and possible hunting pressures. There have been numerous attempts to reintroduce the species into Britain, many of which failed because the animals were more used to their Arctic tundra environment than the British climate Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR

Despite problems with the climate in the herd’s early days, it has thrived – though mortality rates are high due to eating discarded rubbish and attacks and chasing by dogs. After Utsi died in 1979, his wife Dr Ethel Lundgren ran the centre until 1988. The Cairngorm Reindeer centre is now run by Alan and Tilly Smith Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR

Reindeer live in Europe and Russia, where there are domesticated and wild herds. In North America, reindeer are known as caribou and remain wild. Calves are born in May and June, and the rut – when the male deer show off their might and dominance - takes place in October Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR

Reindeer are adapted to life in a cold climate, with short legs, ears and tails to reduce heat loss, and flat, splayed hooves which allow them to walk on snow without sinking Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR

To enable their young to survive in a harsh environment, reindeer produce very rich milk which is nearly 20% fat - compared with human milk, which is only 3.5% Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR

Reindeer eat lichen in winter, woody plants, grasses and rushes in summer, and fungi in autumn Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR

The Saami people of northern Europe and western Russian are the most well-known reindeer herders, but the practice is also followed across China and Mongolia. Tribes use reindeers for their meat, hides and milk, and their antlers for carving Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR

Both males and females have antlers. They grow at an amazing rate during the spring months Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR

Reindeer are icons of Christmas, but the association between reindeer and the festive season is unclear. St Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop in south-western Turkey and reindeers live in the north of Europe, Russia and America Photograph: Sirkas photo/PR