Rewilding in Action Experience 2027
Thank you so much for your wonderful, enthusiastic, skilful sharing of your knowledge and experience. I learned such a lot. I’m hoping to find a way to do some practical rewilding of some sort, although until I do, supporting Trees For Life is probably a good surrogate for any hands-on conservation. – Andy
What you can expect
A packed week to kickstart your own rewilding journey. Explore Trees for Life’s 10,000-acre Dundreggan Estate, and see it through the eyes of our ecologist and our estate team. Speak with leading experts, get hands-on experience in our tree nursery, participate in workshops, and take guided walks to experience rewilding in action. If you are looking to actively participate in rewilding where you live, this is your opportunity to discuss your ideas and options with specialists in the field. You will leave inspired, and armed with tailored, practical advice.
Quick booking, dates available: > Monday 25 to Saturday 30 October 2026
Who is Rewilding in Action Experience for?
Adults wishing to learn more about rewilding, explore practical examples in the Scottish Highlands and consider starting their own rewilding project. If you are looking for something shorter and a bit more low-key, check out our Rewilding Experience.
Most of the activities are suitable for all audiences, including those with additional accessibility needs. However, some of the planned walks may include occasionally steep, pathless terrain. If you have questions about accessibility please get in touch.
Who are my hosts?
Franny Schlicke – Visitor & Operations Supervisor
Growing up in rural Aberdeenshire, with a great love for being outside in the hilliest parts of Scotland, she left to study Geography at Cambridge University, developing particular interests in political ecology, and biogeography. She has worked at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre since 2024, seeking to ensure that no visitor escapes without learning something of our ecological restoration work, and the role of Gaelic in this!
Gwen Raes – Dundreggan’s Estate Manager
Gwen’s work is a key role at Dundreggan as she helps share a viable way of rewilding in the Scottish Highlands in a land-management format.
“Staying in one landscape to work, you’re part of the community, able to cultivate a sense of belonging. Making people feel part of the estate, from neighbours to visiting volunteers, is really important to me.Rewilding is an opportunity to make this relationship between people and the land more equitable, in terms of who can access and benefit from it.”
Roz Birch – Project Manager
Roz leads the Tree Seed Collection Project, one of our partnerships with Woodland Trust Scotland. Roz helps to increase the availability of native rare, niche and harder to collect tree species for western and northern Scotland and the Islands and thanks to Roz and her team’s massive effort they have been able to collect over 11 million tree seeds, which are vital to our rewilding efforts.
Alan McDonnell – Head of Nature Restoration
Alan works for our charity, Trees for Life and has worked in conservation for the past twenty-five years in Scotland. Alan’s work focuses on projects that can make rewilding work such as bringing back beavers to the Highlands and to share the benefits of rewilding to wider communities.
Imagine your Rewilding in Action Experience
You will receive a finalised itinerary and kit list via email in the fortnight ahead of the residential. All meals are included and will be served in our An Nead café or as a packed lunch to take with you. Please note: activities, locations, and timings may be subject to change.
| Day One – Rewilding in Action Experience – Arrivals and introductions (2.30pm) – Introductory rewilding walk, including tree nursery tour – Settle into rooms in accommodation, and free time – Dinner – Getting to know you: why are you here? Overview of Trees for Life’s projects |
| Day Two – Rewilding in Action Experience – Breakfast (8 – 9am) – Presentations and workshops from specialist Trees for Life Project Officers – Lunch – Walk with Senior Ecologist to visit rewilding projects on Dundreggan Estate – Free time – Dinner – Film screening of Riverwoods |
| Day Three – Rewilding in Action Experience – Breakfast (8 – 9am) – Practical Tree Nursery session – take part in the hands on work which helps grow the Caledonian forest of the future – Lunch – Hill walk to explore Allt Ruadh woodland creation area – Free time – Dinner – Fire-side activity |
| Day Four – Rewilding in Action Experience – Breakfast (8 – 9am) – Hill walk with Estate Ranger, exploring the realities of deer and land management – Lunch – Discussion with Estate Manager: managing a rewilding estate – Free time – Dinner – Film screening of Why Not Scotland? |
| Day Five – Rewilding in Action Experience – Breakfast (8 – 9am) – Session with Affric Highlands – Lunch – Exploring your rewilding options: the principles of rewilding, and how you can apply them in your own life – Dinner – Evening walk with camera traps |
| Day Six – Rewilding in Action Experience – Breakfast (8 – 9am) – Check out of rooms and return keys – Concluding session: a walk and a commitment – Lunch and departures (12pm) |
Choose your Rewilding in Action Experience
| This Includes: | Day Rate: | Shared Occupancy Twin/Double Room: | Single Occupancy Double Room: |
| Price | £795.00 | £1,095.00 per person | £2,190.00 |
| Are meals included in the price? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can I access all of the activities and sessions? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| What accessibility options are there at Dundreggan? | Whilst we do have a wheelchair accessible footpaths and toilets at our centre as our days are spent with experts largely outside and up hills a good level of physical fitness is advised. Please get in touch if you have any questions. | Whilst we do have a wheelchair accessible footpaths and toilets at our centre as our days are spent with experts largely outside and up hills a good level of physical fitness is advised. Please get in touch if you have any questions. | Whilst we do have a wheelchair accessible footpaths and toilets at our centre as our days are spent with experts largely outside and up hills a good level of physical fitness is advised. Please get in touch if you have any questions. |
| Can I extend my stay in the hotel accommodation? | No, as this option does not include an overnight stay. | Yes | Yes |
| Will I have extra time to explore Dundreggan on my own? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Is there anywhere I can meet other guests during the retreat? | No | Yes, we have a communal room in our accommodation. | Yes, we have a communal room in our accommodation. |
| Will I have complete privacy after the day is over? | No as no overnight stay included. | No, as this is a room mate rate. | Yes, as this is a private room. |
Rewilding in Action Experience Dates
Monday 25 to Saturday 30 October 2027
Single occupancy room: £1,195.00
Shared occupancy twin or double room: 1,095.00 per person
Day Rate (No accommodation included) £795.00.
Maximum 12 participants
Accommodation
Immerse yourself in the Caledonian forest with five nights in our accommodation, An Spiris. Stay in a double or twin en-suite room and relax in the comfortable and cosy communal space. Towels and bed linen are provided, and a boot room is available for drying outdoor gear.
Please get in touch if you would like to extend your stay (arriving sooner or staying extra nights) in An Spiris. The residentials have been scheduled to align with public bus timetables.
