Coming soon
Autumn 2025 dates will be announced in early 2025
“My week at Dundreggan was one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences in my life. I’ve learnt so much about trees, nature in general and this incredible country. My body, mind and soul have been nourished and stimulated – I’m returning home fitter with a clearer mind and inspired to use what I’ve learned to make my home from a better place for nature.”
Sarah Hayward
Take part in a variety of exciting activities to help restore the Caledonian forest. Plus, learn about rewilding and forest restoration.
Dundreggan is the Trees for Life flagship rewilding estate. Near Loch Ness in beautiful Glenmoriston, this 10,000-acre expanse of spectacular land was purchased by Trees for Life in 2008.
Dundreggan contains substantial areas of ancient woodlands, including remnants of the original Caledonian forest, superb birch-juniper woodlands and the largest expanse of dwarf birch in Scotland. By planting trees at Dundreggan and encouraging natural regeneration, we aim to create an unbroken native woodland link between Glenmoriston and Glen Affric. Our ambition is to develop Dundreggan into one of Scotland’s finest native woodlands, abundant in wildlife, and protected for generations to come.
The work
Your week here will comprise of three days practical conservation tasks; such as tree planting, the removal of invasive tree species and possibly other duties, including fence maintenance and surveying. Each week will also include two days working in our tree nursey.
Our planting is presently focused in an old plantation site on the western edge of the Dundreggan estate. A reasonable level of fitness is required as the terrain is rough and boggy.
Accommodation
Accommodation is located in Dundreggan Lodge. The lodge is situated on the southern boundary of Dundreggan, overlooking the River Moriston. This comfortable and warm building has three bunkrooms, a well appointed kitchen, a large lounge/dining area, two en-suite shower rooms and two other shower/toilets. There is hot water for the end of a hard day’s work, and drying areas for wet clothes.
The Common Room has a large wood burner for cosy evenings in – and on clear evenings we can light the fire outside. You will also have access to our growing library and equipment such as camera traps, microscope, bat detectors, and moth traps.
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.
- 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. 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.
Q11. Will there be opportunities for time off?
Wednesday is normally a rest day and there are a variety of things to do. Take a leisurely stroll over the estate to a couple of peaks with magnificent views; visit Fort Augustus and possibly walk the Great Glen Way back to Invermoriston for a pint or a cup of tea whilst waiting for collection; plant some more trees (for those who didn’t get enough in the first three days); hang out in the lodge by the fire.
Dundreggan has an increasing population of birds, mammals and insects.
We have an infra-red camera for night spotting of our resident pine martens; a young golden eagle has recently made Dundreggan its home; red deer roam the hills and there are wild boar around too (but only at night and away from the accommodation). There are finches and many other birds including buzzards and cuckoos, red and black grouse and owls hooting in the trees at night. Bats, swallows and swifts haunt the eves of some of the old outbuildings.
We also have some rarer species of insect which include the non-biting midge (really!) and the strawberry spider in addition to the giant juniper aphid unique in Scotland to the Dundreggan Estate.
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.
