Scottish Rewilding Lodge joins European Rewilding Network

groundbreaking property

Nestled in the heart of Glen Feshie, one of the most stunning valleys in the Scottish Highlands – Ballintane Mountain Lodge Joined Rewilding Europe European Rewilding Networkstrengthening the UK initiative’s presence within this growing community of rewilding practitioners. For the past 30 years, this family-run hotel cairngorms national park Quietly demonstrating the power of patient, process-led rewilding – allowing nature to restore and reshape the land with minimal intervention.

The hotel is owned and managed by Peter Cairns — Renowned conservation photographer and communicator, founder of Scotland’s leading wildlife charity Scotland: the big picture — along with his wife, Amanda Flanagan. The lodge is set in a landscape that has become emblematic of Scotland’s rewilding journey, set in a glen that has seen remarkable natural recovery in recent years. Yet Ballintane’s commitment to nature-led restoration began decades earlier, long before rewilding became the mainstream conservation movement it is today.

let nature lead

The 52 hectares of land surrounding Ballintean Mountain Lodge (formerly an equestrian centre) contain a rich range of habitats typical of the Scottish Highlands: regenerated native woodland, scrubland and species-rich flood meadows. The lodge’s rewilding-focused management approach focuses on restoring and enhancing natural processes, particularly natural grazing and free-flowing river dynamics.

Over the next decade, the Ballintane team will continue this approach, working to further revitalize local habitats, support the return of water voles and beavers, reintroduce semi-wild ponies, and increase Atlantic salmon populations. The osprey, Scotland’s iconic fish-eating raptor, is the hotel’s flagship species, symbolizing healthy rivers and thriving fish populations.

Strengthening the growing European movement

The rapidly growing European Rewilding Network now connects more than 100 rewilding initiatives in nearly 30 countries, promoting peer learning and amplifying the impact of pragmatic, results-focused rewilding across the continent. By joining the network, Ballintyne Mountain Lodge brings valuable expertise and long-standing experience from the Scottish Highlands to the network’s growing membership.

“One of the main motivations for joining was to learn about the latest developments in European rewilding and to exchange insights on communication and wildlife coexistence,” said Peter Cairns. “As rewilding matures, effective engagement with communities, land managers and policymakers becomes increasingly important.”

A living example of Scotland's rewilding

Ballintyne’s story is intertwined with the wider evolution of rewilding in Scotland. The natural environment in much of the Scottish Highlands has been degraded over centuries by intensive management for timber and sporting activities. However, in recent decades, there has been a growing movement to try to reverse this trend and enable local communities to benefit from this restoration by restoring native woodland, breathing new life into rivers and supporting the return of wildlife. Located in the northwest of Balintane, Affric Heights becomes ninth landscape Rewilding Europe 2021 portfolio.

Glen Feshie itself has become one of the most famous examples of landscape-scale rewilding in the UK. Natural woodland regeneration, reduced deer grazing pressure, and the restoration of natural processes are transforming the valley into a wilder, more resilient landscape. By showing how private land and nature-based tourism can rewilding principle.

together with wild swedenBallintean Mountain Lodge is one of the first members of the European Rewilding Network to be located outside the scope of European Rewilding operations; wild place — Rewilding Europe is a dedicated rewilding travel booking platform. Ballintane's experience Featured on the platform in partnership with SCOTLAND: The Big Picture (itself a member of the network) marks the launch of Expanding wildlife tourism in Europe and strengthen the community of providers of positive experiences with nature across the continent.

Rewilding, learning and communication

In addition to experiencing rewilding first-hand, Balintyne Mountain Lodge also plays an important role in communication and knowledge exchange. In partnership with SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, the hotel regularly hosts land managers, NGOs, policymakers and other stakeholders, offering immersive experiences – from informal ‘walk and talk’ tours to structured residential training sessions and carefully planned rewilding tours. By combining practical demonstrations with engaging conversations and powerful storytelling, the cabin inspires support for rewilding among a wide range of people.

“In my previous role as executive director of Scotland: The Big Picture, I was involved in building partnerships and developing networks across Scotland and beyond,” said Peter Cairns. “My passion for wildlife remains as strong as ever and I’m now keen to forge new collaborations through Ballintean.”

A hopeful vision for the Highlands

Ballintane’s approach reflects a wider shift in conservation thinking – from controlling and managing nature to supporting natural processes and trusting ecosystems to restore and manage themselves. In the face of declining biodiversity and climate change, these approaches offer new hope – proving that landscapes can regain functionality, resilience and beauty when given space, freedom and time.

From the return of the mosaic of woodlands and wetlands, to the resurgence of beaver and salmon populations, to the prospect of reshaping and improving rivers, Ballintane’s vision is one of restoration and coexistence. At the same time, the lodge’s nature-based tourism and education activities demonstrate how rewilding supports rural livelihoods and inspires new, deeper connections with the natural world.

By joining the European Rewilding Network, Balintyne Mountain Lodge is not only celebrating three decades of nature restoration but also looking to the future. Through collaboration, shared learning and collective ambition, initiatives like Ballintane are helping to shape a wilder, more resilient future for landscapes in the Scottish Highlands and beyond.

Let's rewild together

Rewilding Europe warmly welcomes and encourages all European rewilding initiatives that focus on practical, results-oriented rewilding Apply for European Rewilding Network membership.

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