A Day with SCOTLAND: The Big Picture

When Wilderness Scotland first joined forces with SCOTLAND: The Big Picture in March 2025, a few of us from the office were lucky enough to head out into the local landscape for a day with Stef Lauer, a guide and the charity’s Rewilding Training Lead. It was a damp day, heavy with clouds, but that just meant the smell of pine needles hung thick in the air, and there were plenty of animal tracks to spot.

Stef was, and remains, a font of information, showing us some of the key areas where the charity operates in the Cairngorms National Park, signs of beaver activity – a key species reintroduced to Scotland in recent years – and explaining why a fallen tree is simply a tree continuing to do good, just lying down.

Rewilding is a slow process, but as I peered at those beaver-gnawed stumps, I realised that the success rate of rewilding cannot be measured in a single season, but in the return of these natural rhythms over decades.

We cannot talk about rewilding without acknowledging the debate that often surrounds it. When the term appears in the news, it is often accompanied by headlines that focus almost exclusively on the reintroduction of apex predators to Scotland, such as the lynx or the wolf. It is understandable, then, that the subject may feel a little daunting.

Sitting down with Stef from SCOTLAND: The Big Picture in a clearing overlooking the Uath Lochans, she is quick to clarify that rewilding is as much about people and communities as it is about wildlife.

Addressing the Common Concerns

Rewilding isn’t without its challenges, and many of the concerns raised stem from a deep love for the land and its history. Some of the most common questions include:

• Traditional Land Use: There is concern that rewilding could disrupt long-standing traditions in farming, forestry, and hunting. Critics often point to the need for productive farmland amid a growing population.
• The “Outside” Voice: Sometimes conservation efforts feel led by distant organisations that might not fully grasp the nuances of local life.
• Safety and Livestock: Naturally, the mention of predators raises valid concerns for those whose livelihoods depend on livestock.

Carnivore vs. Herbivore

While the debate surrounding rewilding often centres on carnivores, the reality is much more modest, focusing on the return of ecosystem engineers like the beaver. These herbivores diligently work to filter water and create wetlands that provide homes for dozens of species.

The SCOTLAND: The Big Picture Approach

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture believe in collaboration, in the idea that for rewilding to work, it must be a solution that benefits everyone. New economic opportunities through nature-based tourism are possible while respecting the homes and heritage of those who have lived in Scotland’s glens for generations.

By supporting the work of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture through our WCCF, we aren’t funding a return to the past, but rather a conversation about a shared future. A future where Scotland is greener, more resilient and full of life.