“This week has benefitted me beyond words. Before coming here I was nervous of how my week would be. Now, at the end of the week I am amazed at how much perspective has changed and the incredible people I have met. I’ve learnt so much about myself as well as Trees for Life and the environment.”
Chloe McClements
If you want to get back-to-basics in an unforgettable location, surrounded by great walking country and wildlife, without any of the distractions of the modern world (no wifi or phone signal here), then this is the place for you.
Glen Affric is often described as one of the most beautiful places in Scotland. Rewilding Weeks in the glen are based at the Athnamulloch bothy, situated right in the heart of wild Scotland. The bothy is surrounded by woodlands, lochs and mountain peaks. Glen Affric contains one of the largest, wild native forests in the UK.
The facilities are basic but good for a bothy. There are wood burning stoves, a low voltage solar power supply, rain-fed water supply, a well-equipped kitchen and composting toilet.
Participants are strongly advised to arrange their own travel insurance when making a booking.
The pick-up point is the central concourse of Inverness railway station at 1pm on the Saturday (start date of your week). You’ll need to make your own travel arrangements to get there, which may mean travelling to Inverness on the Friday and organising your own accommodation for that night. The Rewilding Weeks take place some distance from Inverness, so it’s not possible to return and pick up volunteers later. Similarly, it isn’t possible to drive back to Inverness before the final Saturday. Therefore, please commit to the whole week if you wish to attend. For accommodation and local travel information contact Inverness tourist office (01463 234353). The Bazpackers Hostel (01463 717663) in Inverness and the Inverness Student Hotel gives a discount to Trees for Life volunteers. We return to Inverness railway station between 10-10:30am on the following Saturday.
If you have any queries or problems regarding your booking, please call us on 01309 691292.
Please remember, as there are only ten places available on each week it is very important that we are notified of any cancellation or change in your booking (condition of health, change of medication, injuries etc) as soon as possible, as we may be able to fill your place or amend your booking.
- Warm sleeping bag or bedding – depending upon location:
- Glen Affric volunteers should bring a pillow case and sleeping bag.
- Dundreggan volunteers should bring a pillow case, single duvet cover and bed sheets.
- Wellies and/or waterproof walking boots – many volunteers find warm and comfortable wellies are the best option, bringing both is a good idea.
- Waterproof Jacket and Trousers
- Two sets of warm working clothes – not jeans! (cold, wet weather is a possibility)
- Day pack (small rucksack)
- Vacuum flask
- Sandwich box for packed lunches
- Container for drinking water
- Warm hat + gloves or sun hat (think about the time of year of your Rewilding Week/s)
- A warm change of clothes for evenings
- Towel, soap, toothbrush etc
- House shoes/slippers
- Torch (ideally a headtorch)
- Speciality foods if you are on a restricted diet or have any allergies or intolerances.
- Midge repellent, (necessary during May, June and September)
- Gaiters (useful for tick avoidance) *
- Hot water bottle *
- A camera *
- Extra snacks, such as chocolate, crisps, fruit bars etc *
* These items are optional
Q1. Can I bring my own car?
Under some circumstances and only through prior arrangement with office staff. We would prefer you to not bring a vehicle. There is often limited parking at the accommodation for our Rewilding Weeks and the access tracks are not suitable for cars so we do ask that you please contact us first. We collect volunteers from Inverness train station at 1pm on the Saturday at the start of the week and you will not need a car during the week. Therefore, if you are able to get public transport to and from Inverness then this is preferable. Please ensure you’ve had lunch before meeting as you will most likely go on a walk after the drive to your accommodation.
Q2. What food is provided?
We provide food for the week and a large selection of vegetarian food is available. Meals are cooked on a voluntary rota basis by volunteers and group leaders.
Q3. Can I bring meat with me to eat on the Rewilding Week?
You are welcome to bring cooked lunch meats with you for packed lunches, discussing appropriate storage with the group leaders. However, we do ask that you don’t bring any raw meat with you as all cooking on the Rewilding Weeks is vegetarian.
Q4. Will there be WiFi available?
There is limited WiFi available on our Rewilding Weeks based at Dundreggan however WiFi is often intermittent and unreliable. There is generally an agreement on weeks to refrain from using devices in the common areas. Athnamulloch cottage in Glen Affric has no WiFi… bliss.
Q5. Will there be mobile phone signal?
Depending on the location, mobile phone signal is often intermittent and unreliable (please check with your network provider for network coverage).
Q6. Will I have to share a room?
Yes. Accommodation is dormitory-style, with either bunk-beds or single beds. We try to ensure that rooms are single-sex.
Q7. Can I share a room with my friend/ partner?
If you are coming on a Rewilding Week with a friend or partner and you would like to share a room with them, please let us know as soon as possible and we will try and accommodate this.
Q8. Do you have weeks available for families?
Unfortunately, at the moment we cannot accommodate anyone under the age of 18 on our Rewilding Weeks.
Q9. Can I join a week part way through?
The first day of the Rewilding Week is spent travelling to the accommodation, and stopping for an introductory walk along the way. Once at the accommodation, volunteers have a chance to get settled in and are then are given a talk about the site, Health and Safety, what the week will involve and any rules. Therefore, it is not feasible for volunteers to miss this first day and so if you are not able to join us for this, please try and find an alternative week.
Q10. Do I need to bring waterproofs even though I’ve booked a Rewilding Week in May/ August?
The weather in the UK, and Scotland in particular, is very unpredictable. We would strongly recommend that you bring waterproofs, wellies and warm clothing, even if you are booked onto a “summer” week. Alternatively, you may have a beautiful week with no rain and high temperatures, so please just come prepared for any eventuality check the Essentials list.
If you have any medical conditions, specific dietary requirements, mental health issues or are taking medication we need to know. Details are held in the strictest confidence. Please fill out the relevant section online when booking, or call the office in advance on 01309 691292. The vast majority of people can be accommodated, but we need to be made aware beforehand.
Rewilding Week Booking Terms and Conditions
Please read our terms and conditions before completing your booking.
- Rewilding Week participants must be 18 or over.
- Cancellations or transfers made 6 weeks or more before the Rewilding Week start date will receive a full refund minus a £10 administration charge. Cancellations or transfers made between 6 and 4 weeks before the start date will receive a 50% refund minus a £10 administration charge. Transfers or refunds cannot usually be given for any cancellations made within 4 weeks of the start date. As there are only ten places available on each week it is very important that we are notified of any cancellation or change in your booking as soon as possible, as we may be able to fill your place. If you pull out of the week without notifying us, the group’s work will be affected by your absence and there will be financial implications for us.
- We need to know if you have any medical condition or have any mental or physical disabilities or any previous injuries which may affect your ability to work, and whether you are taking medication. We may contact you to discuss this. Details are held in the strictest confidence. Please fill out the relevant section on the booking form and inform the office of any changes that occur in the period leading up to your Rewilding Week. The vast majority of people can be accommodated.
- Volunteers are covered for public liability and limited personal accident cover. Our insurance does not cover your personal belongings nor cover your free time activities.
- Please commit to the entire week, which runs from Saturday to Saturday. We have essential introductory briefings on the first day and a planned schedule of work for the week. If you arrive late or leave early it is very difficult for us to achieve our goals.
- You can do as many Rewilding Weeks as you like but we don’t accept bookings for more than 2 consecutive weeks. This is due to the nature of the physical work you will be involved in, as well as group dynamics. We may contact you to discuss consecutive bookings.
- Although every effort is made to describe the details of each week accurately in our literature, it is occasionally necessary for Trees for Life to make changes at short notice to the work and accommodation. If you have any questions please contact us. Rarely, weeks are cancelled due to low numbers or factors outside of our control. In such cases we will try to let you know beforehand and offer an alternative week or full refund.
- Volunteers should act responsibly in both group and social settings throughout the week as you will be acting as representatives for Trees for Life. Recreational drugs are illegal and any use during the Rewilding Week will not be tolerated. If alcohol is consumed we request that it is done in a responsible manner so as to not affect group or work dynamics.
- We reserve the right to refuse applications for Rewilding Weeks or to ask a volunteer to leave if his/her behaviour is affecting the safety or general performance of the team. Volunteers may be responsible for any costs incurred through negligence.
- In the unlikely event of you having cause for complaint, you should first tell the Rewilding Week leader. If the problem remains unresolved you should write to Trees for Life within 14 days of the end of the week and we will investigate further.
- Sorry but we cannot allow dogs on Rewilding Weeks.
- Data Protection Act 1998: By agreeing to these terms and conditions you are giving your consent for TFL to process any personal data that you provide.
