Capercaillie, Balmoral
Immersing you in the story of Scotland’s rarest bird
The capercaillie, once widespread across Scotland’s pine forests, is now critically endangered. Fewer than 600 remain in the UK, with human disturbance during lekking and nesting posing one of the most serious threats to survival. Working with the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, Balmoral Estate, and Cairngorms National Park, we were commissioned to create a permanent exhibition within the old Queen’s stables at Balmoral Castle. The brief was clear: to raise awareness of the species’ plight, celebrate its unique behaviour, and show visitors how they can play a role in conservation — all without causing disturbance to the birds in the wild.
Engagement with ecologists, estate managers, and conservation partners helped us understand not only the ecological story, but also the sensitivities around communicating it. The project had to balance education with empathy, ensuring that visitors left better informed while also inspired to protect the species.
Our design centred on immersion. We developed the concept of a virtual lek, using high-definition film and soundscapes to recreate the dawn ritual of displaying males. Large-format wall graphics of the Caledonian forest enveloped visitors in the bird’s habitat, while interpretive panels and interactive games explained ecology, threats, and conservation measures.
The aesthetic combined the grandeur of Balmoral with the intimacy of forest life. Earthy tones, textured finishes, and natural materials created a cohesive look that resonated with the subject. Interactive elements — including a suite of games and touchpoints for younger audiences — ensured that the exhibition spoke across age groups. Early layout studies and axonometrics allowed partners to shape how content and flow would work in the challenging stable space.
The old stables were transformed into a vibrant conservation hub. The virtual lek, projected on a large screen with surround sound, became the centrepiece, giving visitors a rare opportunity to witness capercaillie behaviour safely. Wall graphics, interpretive signage, and interactive games layered information so audiences could engage at their own pace. The exhibition launched with strong support from conservation partners and has since become a focal point for public education on the species.
By blending storytelling with sensory experience, Capercaillie: Balmoral highlights both the fragility and wonder of this iconic bird. It ensures that visitors leave not only with knowledge, but with a sense of responsibility toward safeguarding the capercaillie’s future.
“Human disturbance is threatening to push capercaillie closer to extinction… But we know that so many people would love to see capercaillie, so the lek experience is about making that possible without causing issues for the bird.”
Carolyn Robertson, Project Manager, Cairngorms Capercaillie Project
