9 WAYS TO REWILD
Learn how to make rewilding happen
Join us for this immersive 5-night training course in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, exploring and learning about the principles of ecological restoration, or rewilding.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Since 2020, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture (SBP) has convened and coordinated the Northwoods Rewilding Network, a Scotland-wide chain of more than 75 landholdings, all committed to nature recovery.
Northwoods is underpinned by nine core rewilding principles that can be applied at different scales and across different settings, but are all designed to drive benefits for nature, climate and people.
This training course will explore these nine principles in an inspirational and dynamic learning environment.
This course is for you if:
- you’re a student, graduate or someone interested in pursuing a career within the rewilding/nature restoration sector.
- you’re a conservation/rewilding professional wishing to upskill to maximise your impact.
- you’re a land manager or agent seeking to expand your ecological knowledge.
- you work for an ESG-conscious business and wish to understand how you might support ecological restoration, or rewilding.
During this course you will learn:
- how to ‘see’ the landscape as a constantly changing living system.
- about the history of the rewilding movement in Scotland, and the present-day actors.
- about the ecological concepts that underpin rewilding.
- how the ‘Northwoods Nine’ rewilding principles look and work in the field.
- why rewilding matters to people and communities.
- how to put your new found knowledge into practice.
You’ll go away with:
- an appreciation of the full potential for rewilding and its ability to deliver multiple benefits to nature, climate and people.
- knowledge of ecological principles and how they translate to action on the ground.
- tools and techniques to enable you to make rewilding happen at different scales and settings.
- a complimentary copy of our Northwoods Nine book and a copy of our MeWilding ebook.
- a course completion certificate.
Meet the trainers:
Stef Lauer: Stef is SBP’s Rewilding Training Lead and will host your learning journey. She will be on hand to provide individual support and will tie together the different elements of the course.
Peter Cairns: Pete is SBP’s Executive Director and has spent 25 years in the ‘rewilding space’ in Scotland. He also stewards one of Northwoods’ rewilding reserves and has watched it change over the last three decades.
Aidan MacCormick: Aidan is the in-house ecologist for SBP’s Northwoods Rewilding Network. He helps the network’s land partners to identify, carry out and evaluate the success of a range of rewilding actions.
Hugh Webster: Hugh studied large carnivores before spending time working in ecotourism, education and sustainable development, all of which contributed to his belief that conservation is at least as much about people - and communication - as it is about wildlife.
DATES
| DATES | GUIDE | STATUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DATES: 12-17 Apr 2025 | GUIDES: Stef Lauer | STATUS: Open | BOOK NOW |
| DATES: 4-9 Oct 2025 | GUIDES: Stef Lauer | STATUS: Open | BOOK NOW |
If you are interested in running this as a bespoke course for a private group, please get in touch.
PRICE
£1795
DEPOSIT
£300
PRICE INCLUDES
- 5 nights’ accommodation in a room with private facilities
- All meals (breakfast, picnic lunch and 3-course dinner)
- All guiding, excursions, presentations and take-home resources
- Pick up and drop off at Kingussie train station
- Certification for course attendance
- A complimentary digital copy of our landmark book, SCOTLAND: A Rewilding Journey
PRICE EXCLUDES
- Travel to/from the course
- Travel insurance (it is a condition of booking that a suitable policy is in place)
- Alcoholic drinks (except wine served with dinner)
- Personal expenses
ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome
After arrival and introductions, we savour welcoming ‘Scottish’ cocktails and a pre-dinner briefing on the history of rewilding and where it’s at in Scotland today. We then get together around our farmhouse dining table to enjoy our first evening meal together.
Day 2:
Trainer: Peter Cairns
Letting Nature Lead
We begin our training right outside the door with a walk along the River Feshie in one of the Northwoods rewilding reserves. Peter Cairns will challenge you to not only look at the landscape but to ‘see’ it as a constantly changing ecological system.
Peter will talk about how a lack of intervention and a reliance on natural processes, has shaped this landscape over the last 30 years.
More native woodland
A leisurely walk into the stunning Glenfeshie, part of the Cairngorms Connect landscape, reveals an expanding mosaic of native woodland. Here we meet a local ranger, who will explain how the glen has been transformed following a reduction in grazing pressure.
After dinner, we enjoy a film screening (Riverwoods)
Day 3:
Trainer: Aidan Maccormick
More space for water
It’s estimated that up to 90% of the UK’s wetlands have been lost. In this session, we visit a local rewilding site, where a series of ponds and wetland areas have been created to lock away carbon, boost biodiversity and reduce the impact of flooding, drought and wildfires.
Joined up habitats
Back at our lodge, our own ecologist Aidan MacCormick, explains the vital role of habitat connectivity, wildlife corridors and nature networks, using a growing number of examples from across Europe.
In the evening, we enjoy a walk around a stunning wetland where beavers have been recently reintroduced.
Day 4:
Trainer: Aidan Maccormick & Hugh Webster
Reinstate natural grazing
Using ‘wild’ grazers such as Highland cattle and Exmoor ponies, to replicate the impact of missing herbivores, has become an integral part of many rewilding initiatives. This morning we visit a local site where large herbivores are used to shape a mosaic of open grassland and emerging woodland.
Return missing species
This afternoon we welcome missing species expert Hugh Webster, who will talk about the opportunities and barriers in returning native wildlife species. Hugh has been an integral part of our Lynx to Scotland project and during a woodland walk, he will provide an update on this ground-breaking project to return lynx to the forests of Scotland.
Evening film screening of ‘The Last of the Aurochs.’
Day 5:
Trainer: Chrissy Sprinks
Connecting with communities & Creating rewilding business
Rather than being about excluding people, rewilding is better imagined as a way to create vibrant natural systems and enrich people’s lives.
In this discussion session combining two of the Northwoods Nine principles, we explore opportunities for ecological recovery to work in tandem with recreation, education and employment in communities close to rewilding sites.
Wilder rivers
River restoration work has gathered huge momentum in recent years, inspired by a growing awareness of natural river processes, and a desire to reverse declines of Atlantic salmon. Today we visit a stretch of river that was restored a decade ago and hear about the dramatic impact.
Day 6:
Farewell
We say our goodbyes after a hearty breakfast.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Where do we stay during the course?
Our Rewilding Learning Hub is a beautifully converted farm steading known as ‘Ballintean Mountain Lodge’, located in Glenfeshie, near the village of Kincraig, in the Cairngorms National Park.
The lodge has a rustic, contemporary feel with furnishings inspired by nature. All rooms have private facilities and there is Wi-Fi throughout. Mobile phone reception is generally good.
We strive to ensure that the lodge is as accessible as possible to everyone. If you have a disability or a health condition, please let us know at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
What meals are served?
Breakfast and evening meals are taken within our accommodation and prepared by our own catering team. We offer home-cooked, wholesome food prepared with fresh, local ingredients. In the field, we take a picnic lunch and home-bakes. We might also squeeze in coffee and cake stops along the way!
A range of dietary requirements can be catered for, taking into consideration allergies and health conditions, as well as ethics, faiths and cultures. Please indicate your requirements on the booking form and we will try our best to accommodate your needs.
How do I get there?
Public transport is generally reliable and we offer free transfers from Kingussie, our nearest village (8 miles).
Train: Services to Kingussie are regular and can be booked here.
Bus: Services to Kingussie are regular and can be booked here.
Car: Safe parking is available and there is an EV charging point. Directions will be sent as Satnav is not always reliable. Our postcode is PH21 1NX.
Air: Our nearest airport is Inverness (45 miles)
Can you collect me from the airport?
Yes. Inverness Airport is one hour from our base and we charge a flat fee of £50 per single airport collection or drop off. This can be shared if there are other members of the group travelling by air. We collect at 4pm on arrival day and drop off at 10.30am on departure day.
How do we get around during the course?
We use a modern, comfortable 9-seater minibus.
Who are your training guides?
We work with knowledgeable and friendly guides and trainers from within the Cairngorms area and specialists in the field relevant to the training course. All guides are familiar with Scotland’s rewilding narrative.
What size are your groups?
We generally work with small groups of up to 8 participants.
Do I need to be fit?
Our excursions generally consist of walks on established paths and tracks but the terrain can be uneven and sometimes wet and/or slippery. Ideally, you will be able to walk at a leisurely pace for up to 5km.
If you have mobility issues or need to take things slow, please let us know and we will be happy to discuss alternative activities.
What do I bring?
A full list of necessary clothing and equipment will be provided on booking.
What will the weather be like?
Weather in the Highlands is very changeable and at any time of year, you should expect anything from warm, calm conditions to wintry squalls. Temperatures are likely to range from 10c to 22c in the spring/summer to 0c to 10c in autumn.
OUR REWILDING LEARNING HUB
Set in a private, elevated position, Ballintean Mountain Lodge is a beautifully converted farm steading, perfectly located for exploring the wild landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR REWILDING LEARNING HUB
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS THINK
"The wisdom, skills and connections we've built through this course have far exceeded my expectations and will benefit me greatly throughout my career."
Alice, 2023
