Affric Highlands: A Bold Step Towards Rewilding

A large stretch of the Scottish Highlands is set to return to its wild, natural state through an ambitious 30-year project, creating opportunities for sustainable nature-based tourism across Scotland.

The Vision of Affric Highlands

The Affric Highlands project encompasses a vast area of the Scottish Highlands, extending from Loch Ness to the west coast of Scotland. The initiative aims to rewild half a million acres (200,000 hectares), driven by the charity Trees for Life. This social and ecological movement unites landowners, local communities, and others to restore natural habitats over three decades.

Socio-Economic Impacts

“With Scotland’s rewilding movement gaining momentum—aiming for the country to become the world’s first Rewilding Nation by rewilding 30% of land and sea by 2030—the Affric Highlands project will significantly enhance nature recovery while simultaneously boosting the local economy,” stated Steve Micklewright, CEO of Trees for Life.

This initiative stands as the largest rewilding project in the UK, promising to stimulate the local economy and foster nature-based tourism. A representative from Trees for Life explained, “The Affric Highlands project emphasizes a community-driven approach, ensuring local communities play a central role in developing tourism strategies in the area.”

Restoring the Ecosystem

Much of the land encompassing Glens Cannich, Affric, Moriston, and Shiel, has been significantly altered—overgrazed, treeless, drained, and overly managed. The Affric Highlands initiative seeks to remedy this by planting two million native trees, restoring the landscape to its natural woodland state. Moreover, rivers are being allowed to flow freely, peatlands are being rewetted to enhance carbon storage, and various habitats are being interlinked to support wildlife movement. Efforts are also underway to reintroduce the critically endangered Scottish wildcat.

Engagement and Participation

Individuals can engage with the Affric Highlands project through the transformation of a former hunting estate in Dundreggan into the “world’s first Rewilding Center” in 2023, providing exciting opportunities to get involved. Additionally, there will be chances to participate in conservation efforts organized by Trees for Life.

For further information regarding the Affric Highlands project, visit the Rewilding Europe or Trees for Life websites.