• 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)
• 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. If you are on a restricted diet or have any allergies or intolerances, please let us know so that we can accommodate dietary preferences. 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.

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?

The likelihood is that you will probably have to share a room with at least one other volunteer during your Rewilding Week. Accommodation is dormitory-style, with either bunk-beds single beds. We try to ensure that shared 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.

Q11. Will there be opportunities for time off?

Yes, Wednesday is normally a rest day and there are a variety of things to do. One of the most popular activities is to visit our wildlife hide where you can observe pine martens, and many people take the opportunity to explore the estate, either the low level juniper walks or up into the hills and for those who are adventurous perhaps swim in the pool above Dundreggan Lodge or even in the River Moriston! You could also visit the Loch Ness visitor centre in nearby Drumnadrochit, including the Nessie exhibition, or the famous Urquhart Castle is only 16 miles away and boat trips on the loch run from nearby Fort Augustus (local buses available). If you enjoy hiking, there are various Munros (mountain peaks over 3,000 feet in elevation) in the area. Please note that the day off is also a day off for the leaders of the week. The minibus may sometimes be available for use as a group but you may need to use local transport to reach some of these locations.

Dundreggan supports a remarkable array of species. Golden eagles are regularly seen on Rewilding Weeks and recent weeks have also produced sightings of ospreys, ravens, merlins, tawny owls and peregrine falcons. Other bird species of note include the great spotted woodpecker, golden plover, Scottish crossbill, black grouse, snipe, goosander and woodcock.

For the mammal enthusiasts amongst you, Dundreggan is home to three species of deer (red, roe and sika), mountain hares, otters and pine martens. There is also a huge wealth of invertebrate species, including many that are rare and endangered or have not been found anywhere else in Scotland or the UK.

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.

1. Participation eligibility

Rewilding Week participants must be aged 18 or over.

2. Cancellation and refund policy

• Cancellations made 8 weeks or more before the Rewilding Week start date will receive a full refund minus a £40 administration charge.
• Cancellations made between 8 and 6 weeks before the start date will receive a 50% refund minus a £40 administration charge.
• No refunds or transfers are available for cancellations made within 6 weeks of the start date.
• Transfers to a different week are treated the same as cancellations.
• As places are limited, it is very important to notify us of any changes as early as possible. Failure to notify us will impact the group’s work and may result in financial implications for Trees for Life.

3. Health and medical information

Please inform us of any medical conditions, physical or mental disabilities, previous injuries, or any medications you are taking that may affect your ability to participate. All details are held in strict confidence, and we will contact you if we need more information. You are also required to update us with any changes to your health leading up to your Rewilding Week.

4. Insurance and personal belongings

Volunteers are covered by public liability and limited personal accident insurance during the course of their week. However, our insurance does not cover your personal belongings or activities outside the planned program. We strongly recommend that participants take out personal travel insurance for additional protection, particularly if they need to make a last-minute cancellation.

5. Commitment to the full week

We ask that you commit to the entire week, which runs from Saturday to Saturday. Essential introductory briefings take place on the first day, and we have a set schedule of work for the week. Late arrivals or early departures significantly impact the group’s goals and objectives.

6. Limit on consecutive rewilding weeks

You may participate in as many Rewilding Weeks as you like, but we do not accept bookings for more than two consecutive weeks. This is to ensure the sustainability of the physical work and maintain a positive group dynamic. We may contact you to discuss consecutive bookings.

7. Changes to the programme

While every effort is made to provide accurate information, Trees for Life reserves the right to make changes to the work schedule or accommodation. In rare cases, weeks may be cancelled due to low participant numbers or factors outside our control. Should this occur, we will offer you an alternative week or a full refund.

8. Behavioural expectations

Volunteers are representatives of Trees for Life and should act responsibly in both group and social settings. Illegal drugs are not tolerated, and alcohol consumption should be moderate and must not affect the work or group dynamics.

We reserve the right to refuse participation or to ask a volunteer to leave if their behaviour compromises the safety or performance of the group. Any costs incurred due to negligence or disruptive behaviour may be the responsibility of the participant.

9. Complaints procedure

If you have any issues during the week, please raise them with your Rewilding Week guide immediately. If the issue is not resolved, you may submit a written complaint to Trees for Life within 14 days of the end of your week, and we will investigate further.

10. Data processing (UK GDPR)

By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you consent to Trees for Life processing your personal data for purposes such as volunteer coordination, emergency contacts, and related activities. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.