Restoring Scotland's Caledonian Forest

Trees for Life stands at the forefront of rewilding in the Scottish Highlands. Hopeful and bold, we are committed to creating nature-rich landscapes that include and support people. Working on a landscape scale, we aim to close the gap between people and nature. With a focus on Scotland’s spectacular Caledonian forest, we foster biodiversity and encourage natural processes essential to life. From the iconic red squirrel to the elusive lynx, we are working to bring more life back to our landscapes. Rewilding is a shared journey. Together with communities, we are restoring Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage while supporting local livelihoods. 

Since establishing as a charity in 1993, Trees for Life has worked in partnership with landowners, estate managers and other eNGOs to transform the landscape by restoring native woodlands, peatlands and other vital habitats across the Highlands. We have also engaged local community groups, schools and thousands of volunteers to help us achieve our aims and objectives - whether collecting and cultivating native tree seeds, planting in remote areas or monitoring key species such as red squirrels and black grouse.  

In 2023, we opened Dundreggan Rewilding Centre which now serves as a hub for all sorts of rewilding activities and special interest groups including schools, universities, environmental NGOs, forestry and farming professionals and anyone who is keen to learn about rewilding.  The centre currently has around 60,000 visitors each year and is becoming a popular venue, hosting cultural events for local communities and residential experiences for people who want a more in-depth experience of rewilding.

Trees for Life also hosts groups of people who are facing significant challenges in their lives through our Rewild and Recover initiative. For many people, experiencing the restorative qualities of wild nature and taking part in actively restoring natural habitats is a rare and precious respite from the challenges of daily life.