Today is Earth Day—a timely reminder of our connection to the land. For our dedicated team of WildLanders across the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, and Sutherland, this commitment extends far beyond a single day. Their devotion to our 200-year vision of ecological restoration in the Scottish Highlands is woven into their daily lives, shaping not only their work but their way of living.

Every day, they care for the landscapes, restore historic buildings, and create unique experiences that offer guests meaningful opportunities to connect more deeply with the natural world. Their passion and perseverance are shaping a more vibrant, thriving future—honouring the spirit of Earth Day every day in the lands we are so fortunate to care for. We invite you to be part of this journey. Read on to explore some of our recent stories and initiatives from the wild.

WILDLAND CAIRNGORMS

WildLand began at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, on the Glenfeshie Estate, where the transformation of the landscape is now unmistakable. Across our neighbouring estates of Killiehuntly and Gaick, the signs of rewilding are becoming ever more visible too, from regenerating forests to thriving wildlife.

Linking Landscapes for Wildlife

In the Cairngorms, we are witnessing steady and meaningful progress in restoring a richly varied woodland landscape, where riparian glens meet montane slopes of pine and birch, and where natural regeneration is supported by carefully sequenced and ecologically sensitive planting. One notable milestone is the completion of the Linkwood project in Glenfeshie, named as such for its role in joining the Bhran and the Compartment. Here, half a million native trees have been hand-screefed into the soil, revitalising areas where seed sources were few or where prevailing winds have historically limited natural dispersal. This area covers 140ha of high-altitude planting.

The Linkwood was designed as a small-scale experiment in riparian planting ahead of the restoration of the upper Feshie, which will involve establishing around 100ha per annum over a ten-year period. This project aims to link Speyside to Deeside, providing a valuable habitat corridor between the two catchments. Over the next two years we will be carrying out montane bird, vegetation and archeological surveys and gathering data with the target of 2026-27 for establishment to commence.

WILDLAND LOCH NESS

Along the shores of Loch Ness, our journey began at the magnificent Aldourie Castle Estate. A few years on, the revitalisation of the land is becoming ever more apparent—from expansive grasslands and thriving gardens to the complete restoration of the large, energy-efficient castle and cottages into a eco-friendly retreat. At Clune Farm, we are beginning our journey towards regenerative farming, cultivating nature-friendly produce that will nourish the kitchens of WildLand, while continuing to enhance the landscape around us.

Planting for the Future

At Aldourie Castle Estate, we’re working to increase biodiversity across the gardens and grounds through a considered and sustainable approach to land management. Our herbaceous borders are designed to reflect natural grassland meadows, with a rich variety of native and non-native species that provide nectar and pollen from the first spring bulbs in February right through to late-flowering perennials. These borders are left standing until late winter, adding visual interest and structure while also offering valuable overwintering habitat for insects and small mammals.

Across the estate, areas of grassland have been sown with native hay meadow mixes, encouraging a diversity of grasses and wildflowers. These meadows are left undisturbed until they’re cut in late summer, giving wildlife the chance to benefit from the habitat and allowing wildflowers to set seed for the following year. In the arboretum and woodlands, we’re carefully managing the removal of invasive Rhododendron ponticum to let light back in and support natural regeneration. Alongside this, a significant number of native trees – including pine, oak, larch, birch and beech – have been planted to strengthen existing woodland and ensure its health and longevity for generations to come.

Sustainable by Design

At WildLand, all of our restoration projects prioritise conservation over new construction, always choosing to reuse buildings where possible. We favour traditional local materials to reduce carbon impact and aim to eliminate plastic use in our buildings. Every project is assessed for its full life-cycle carbon footprint—from construction through to energy use and end-of-life disposal.

Aldourie Castle and cottages are now heated sustainably through a Biomass District Heating system, replacing individual oil-fired boilers and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels to almost zero. Gate Cottage uses a Ground Source Heat Pump, and we are continuously exploring renewable energy solutions for the future. This shift to sustainable energy is part of our long-term commitment to decarbonising the estate.

WILDLAND SUTHERLAND

Across the vast landscape of north Sutherland, we are restoring peatlands, allowing our woodlands to naturally regenerate by reducing herbivore impacts, ensuring our aquatic habitats and species which live within them are thriving, fostering a harmonious relationship with the land. Our team here continue to work hard restoring forgotten buildings, including a special space at the heart of the community in Tongue—Burrs of Tongue—ensuring it remains a vital hub for the future.

Allowing Farming & Nature to Co-exist

In North Sutherland, we’re proud to be the custodians of three ecologically rich and historically significant farms. Our mission is to honour their deep-rooted heritage while embracing a low-intensity, nature-led approach to farming. By prioritising biodiversity and habitat regeneration over output-driven practices, we aim to create a landscape where wildlife can flourish—producing sustainable byproducts like beef, lamb, and wool along the way. Over the past year, we’ve taken steps to enhance these habitats, including large-scale rush cutting to restore open grasslands for wading birds, the creation of wader scrapes for feeding and nesting, and selective gorse removal to support diverse flora and fauna. Our focus also extends to supporting rare species such as the great yellow bumblebee through pollinator-friendly habitats. Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our efforts with projects like planting herbal leys and species-rich grasslands that nourish both livestock and wildlife, continuing our journey toward truly harmonious land stewardship.

Restoring the Heart of the Flow Country

We are making steady progress in protecting and restoring one of Scotland’s most ecologically important landscapes—the Flow Country—a vast expanse of fragile blanket bog and peatland recently inscribed as a UNESCO world natural heritage site. As part of our 2023–2025 restoration programme, supported by the Scottish Government’s PeatlandACTION Fund and delivered with NatureScot, Bidwells, and a local contractor, we’ve restored around 175 hectares by blocking 35 kilometres of drains and reprofiling 12 kilometres of old peat cuttings—early steps already helping to rewet the land and support biodiversity. Alongside this, we’re encouraging the natural regeneration of native broadleaf trees that have long clung to inaccessible slopes, protected only by their remoteness. With reduced grazing pressure from deer and the removal of sheep from the hills, these trees now have a chance to spread, gradually restoring woodland ecosystems. While this work takes time, peatland and woodland restoration are vital tools in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises, and we’re committed to doing our part.

These projects are just the beginning. Each small step brings us a little closer to a healthier planet. We’re grateful for your support—whether you choose to get involved, visit our landscapes, or simply follow our journey. We wish you all a wild and wonderful Earth Day.

Earth Day 2025: Our Commitment to the Wild