North of the Scotland-England border lies Scotland’s Southern Uplands region. Out of Scotland’s three major geographic areas, it is the one with the lowest population density. The area, like much of Scotland, is filled with beautiful lochs, rivers, mountain ranges, and large forests. Since its founding in 1996, the Borders Forest Trust has been at the forefront of rewilding efforts, restoring native woodlands, peatlands, and upland habitats across the Southern Scottish Borders. To date, Borders Forest Trust has helped create over 1,150 hectares of new woodland habitat. These projects offer far more than just trees; they bring broader benefits to the entire landscape and ecosystem. Its most iconic initiative, the Carrifran Wildwood, stands as a powerful symbol of what long-term, community-led rewilding can look like: once bare glens now filled with birch, rowan, juniper, and pine, echoing with birdsong and rich with biodiversity.
The Trust’s work is deeply rooted in the belief that ecological restoration goes hand-in-hand with community wellbeing, and it invites people to take part through volunteering, education, and walking trails that open the land to all.
This mission has gained international recognition, with the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) selecting “Reviving the Wild Heart of Southern Scotland” as one of the initiatives it will fund. With EOCA’s support, the Borders Forest Trust continues to connect and restore a vast landscape of native habitats, helping to combat biodiversity loss, mitigate climate change, and create thriving spaces for both wildlife and people.
You can be part of this transformation. Whether by making a donation to support long-term rewilding or volunteering to plant trees, your help makes a real difference. Visit bordersforesttrust.org to get involved—and if you’re nearby, explore one of their rewilding sites and witness the recovery of Scotland’s wild heart for yourself.
Karin & the L&S Team
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