World’s first rewilding centre opens near Loch Ness to help nature return in ‘major way’

The world’s first rewilding centre has newly opened near one of Scotland’s most famous lochs to “breathe life” into the “huge potential of the Highlands”.

The charity behind the project hopes it can show how nature recovery can inspire people, as well as benefit rural communities and create jobs.

The Dundreggan Rewilding Centre in Glenmoriston is located near Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands and will host a series of events on Saturday (15 April) to celebrate its opening.

The centre is eight miles from the loch on the A887 where charity Trees for Life is restoring the Caledonian forest and its wildlife. It is designed to offer a gateway for visitors to explore the 10,000-acre Dundreggan estate.

Dundreggan is part of Affric Highlands, the UK’s largest rewilding landscape which will potentially cover more than 500,000 acres.

Trees for Life said some 20 new jobs have been created by the project and it is hoped the centre will continue to boost the local economy - as people not only visit but also stay in the 40-bedroom accommodation building on site.

Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life, said for 15 years “Dundreggan has been a beacon for rewilding our landscapes” and that “now it will be a beacon for rewilding people too”.

He added: “We want to breathe life into the huge potential of the Highlands to help nature return in a major way – providing people from all walks of life with fantastic experiences while supporting re-peopling, boosting social and economic opportunities, and tackling the climate and nature emergencies.”

The charity said the centre features a tree sculpture of reclaimed metal by artist Helen Denerley while also offering a gateway to the wild forest with fully accessible trails, child-friendly forest experiences, and more adventurous walks.

Laurelin Cummins-Fraser, the centre’s director, said it is “embedded in the landscape and the community”.

She added: “Its design is inspired by Gaelic heritage and history, and by the Caledonian forest – with verticals representing trees, changing light to reflect how light plays in woodlands, and materials and colours conjuring up bracken and forest bark.”