Back for 2025
Continuing the restoration journey that we started with volunteers back in 2014 – 2016, we’re returning to Ben Damph and working in partnership with the Ben Damph Estate.
In the northwest Highlands, Ben Damph is at the heart of a wild landscape where a range of landowners are working to restore nature and carry out landscape-scale conservation. Locally, there are Caledonian pinewood remnants in Shieldaig, and similarly at nearby Beinn Eighe. On the border of Loch Damph, an ancient woodland of sessile oak and silver birch has been designated a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), with over 200 species of vascular plants identified on the site. So far, 200 acres have been fenced off for natural regeneration on the estate, and a further 200 acres of woodland planted with native species. One issue presenting challenges for ancient woodland at Ben Damph is the presence of the non-native rhododendron ponticum. The estate requires hands-on support to continue their long term efforts to eradicate this invasive species and enable the woodland to regenerate which supports a rich diversity of wildlife and plant life.
The work
Volunteers will take part in vital nature restoration tasks including clearing non-native species (e.g. rhododendron), helping with fencing work and supporting riparian (river-woodland) planting. The west coast is often wet and windy, so expect harsh weather conditions. A reasonable level of fitness will be required for some tasks.
Accommodation
The accommodation for the week will be at Ben Damph lodge, this is where most of the group will stay and where we will have our meals will take place. There is also a newly renovated bothy where up to four members of the group will sleep. All linen and towels will be provided. Please note: volunteers who are keen to stay in the bothy are encouraged to bring a sleeping bag too.
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 by 10am 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.
- All linen and towels will be provided. Please note: volunteers who are keen to stay in the bothy are encouraged to bring a sleeping bag too.
- 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
- Swimming costume/shorts*
- 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 sometimes 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?
Yes, broadband is available in the lodge (not in the bothy) but it’s not super-fast. 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?
Yes. Rooms are set up as twins. We try to ensure that rooms are single-sex. We cannot guarantee which building (lodge or bothy) you will be allocated to as it will depend on the make up of the group.
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, you will have a day off and free time in the evenings. The estate is close to Torridon, and contains extensive footpaths which pass through pine forest, and via waterfalls and lochans. The estate is also close to mountains such as Maol Chean Dearg, Ben Damph, Liathach, Ben Alligin and Ben Eighe but these are arduous and challenging hikes/climbs which require mountaineering skills and the correct equipment. Any hikes are done entirely at your own risk, and you are responsible for your own health and safety during free time activities.
Ben Damph Estate is home to a rich variety of wildlife such as otters, seals, porpoises, golden eagles, white tailed eagles, peregrine falcon, merlin and so much more!
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.
- Participation eligibility
Rewilding Week participants must be aged 18 or over.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
