Ian Richards is our interim Dundreggan Rewilding Centre Director. He is leading the project while Laurelin Cummins-Fraser is on maternity leave.
2021 saw the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre move from plans on paper to a tremendous ground breaking event. When opened in early 2023, it will be a place where thousands of people, of all ages and abilities, come to discover a landscape being restored and leave inspired to engage with rewilding.
The Rewilding Centre and accommodation block have started to grow from the ground: foundations laid, services connected, floors poured. Now, both buildings are rapidly taking shape with timber frames, walls and roofs in place - we've even chosen paint colours. It will be a great place to welcome guests and we cannot wait.
Over the last few months, we have faced some delays and have not escaped the increasing costs that are affecting so many. Still, with the continued support of our contractors, suppliers, donors and funders, the project continues to be on track. The handover of the completed buildings will be in December 2022. We will complete the internals and conduct visitor trials early in the new year before opening in spring 2023.
Over the coming months, we will focus on attracting visitors from all walks of life, ensuring they have a great experience and learn something about rewilding along the way. Over the last few weeks we have been meeting tour operators and travel trade representatives from around the globe; interest in sustainable visitor attractions is growing, and feedback has been hugely positive. The Rewilding Centre is an ideal place to draw visitors from home and abroad who are keen to spend time being active outdoors.
Our Education Manager, Kat Murphy, is working with our interpretation specialists, Gaelic consultants and the Trees for Life team to tell the rewilding story. Not only to inform but also to engage visitors and encourage them to take some action in their own lives to contribute to rewilding. There is a mix of interpretation planned, including audio, interactive screens, animation, film, storytelling, live events, outdoor activities and knowledgeable staff on hand to help visitors get the most from their time at Dundreggan.
Artist Helen Denerley has been working hard on the Gathering Tree, a stunning piece of sculpture which will greet visitors as soon as they step into the building. The tree now stands nearly four metres high with a span of over two and a half metres. She has already started work on some of the tree's inhabitants, with various birds, beasties, mammals and reptiles ready to take their place amongst the branches.
The Rewilding Centre will be a gateway to the whole of Dundreggan. In the coming weeks we will begin working on the network of trails that will guide visitors around the estate, allowing them to see rewilding in action and enjoy the nature surrounding them. Thank you to everyone who supported our Dundreggan Trails appeal which helped make this possible. The trails will stretch for around 4km and include a 1km All Access trail and more strenuous routes for experienced walkers.
As we move towards opening there is a whole team to recruit and train. We expect to create 20 full-time equivalent jobs, demonstrating how rewilding can be used to create economic benefits for the local community.
We will keep you up to date with progress over the coming months through our website and social media, please make sure to check the latest news.
The Dundreggan Rewilding Centre is supported with funding from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund, led by NatureScot and part funded through the European Regional Development Fund. The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, SSE Sustainable Development Fund, Audemars Piguet Foundation, FERN Community Funds and Garfield Weston Foundation have also provided generous support.