My DEER friends

TV Times talks to Tilly Smith, custodian of Britain’s one and the only reindeer herd

- HANNAH DAVIES

December is a particularly busy time for our red-nosed friend Rudolph and his fellow reindeers. But in a year like no other, how are younger members of the species preparing for the festive season?

To find the answer, a new C4 documentary is taking us to the stunning Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland to meet the dedicated community looking after Britain’s only free-ranging reindeer herd.

As well as following the herders as they nurture and train their antlered wards, A Baby Reindeer’s First Christmas also introduces us to some amazing characters, from an orphaned calf about to join in the festivities to others learning how to pull a sleigh.

Here, Tilly Smith, who oversees the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, tells TV Times more...

What’s the run-up to Christmas normally like for the reindeer's?

We’d usually be taking them to events like switching on the Christmas lights or delivering Santa to his grotto, but because of the pandemic, none of that’s happening. We’re still doing events locally and bringing pleasure to our community, though.

Tell us about this herd…