RESTORING WILD RIVERS
Rewilding Learning Day
Join river ecologist, Duncan Pepper, for an informative and inspiring introduction to the principles of river and wetland restoration.
WHAT TO EXPECT
'The health of Scotland's rivers and all the life within them, is directly dependent on the health of the landscapes through which they flow.'
Freshwater is our lifeblood and yet globally, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. Rivers too are under threat - for centuries, Scotland's rivers have been straightened, confined and tidied, leading to most of our rivers performing far below their ecological potential.
But today, as climate breakdown impacts on species like Atlantic salmon, rivers are being rewiggled, deadwood is being reintroduced and artificial barriers are being removed, returning rivers to their natural meandering course, diversifying flows and restoring connectivity from source to sea.
This course will help you understand the complex needs of rivers and the urgent need to restore natural river processes for the benefit of both people and wildlife.
This Learning Day will cover:
- What is 'Stage Zero' river restoration and why does it matter?
- Why are floodplains and buffers important?
- What trees bring most benefit to watercourses and how to protect them?
- How to create a functioning leaky dam.
- How to get started on your own riverwoods journey.
This Learning Day is for you if:
- you are student, graduate or interested in pursuing a career within the rewilding/nature restoration sector.
- you are a landowner or land manager interested in learning about river restoration and riparian habitats.
- you are a conservation/rewilding professional wishing to upskill.
DATES
| DATES | GUIDE | STATUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DATES: 27 Mar 2026 | GUIDES: Duncan Pepper | STATUS: Open | BOOK NOW |
PRICE
£95
PRICE INCLUDES
- Tea/coffee/biscuits on arrival
- All presentations, excursions and take-home resources
- A private link to our feature-length documentary, Riverwoods
- Certification for course attendance
PRICE EXCLUDES
- Travel to/from the course
- Lunch (please bring a packed lunch)
- Personal expenses
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Timings
Arrival from 9.30am for tea/coffee/biscuits, for a 10am start. The day will wrap up around 3.30pm.
How do I get there?
The day will start with a presentation at The Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy. We shall meet there in the morning and then later in the day travel by car to Upper Brae of Cultulich Farm for a practical session.
The full address is: The Birks Cinema, 1 Dunkeld Street, Aberfeldy PH15 2DA.
There is plenty of free parking within easy walking distance of the cinema at the parking behind the Co-op supermarket and on Chapel Street. You can use the Perth and Kinross Council interactive map to locate local car parks. Aberfeldy can also be reached by local bus and Stagecoach services.
What size are your groups?
Our Learning Days are for groups of up to 15 participants.
Read our FAQ's for more info
Venue
The Learning Day will be run from the Birks Cinema and Upper Brae Farm in Aberfeldy. The farm sits high on a hillside with stunning views over Strath Tay. The land consists of a diverse range of woodlands and open pasture that already provide good wildlife habitat. The land began its rewilding journey over 20 years ago under the stewardship of the elder generation. It is now largely governed by natural processes and requires only very limited intervention.
