Cairngorm Bothies has announced a new community initiative in collaboration with the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership (NESBiP) to rehome hundreds of native Scots Pine saplings.
The "Scots Pine Rehoming Days," scheduled for March 4th and 7th, will allow volunteers and community groups to collect young trees that have naturally regenerated on the estate over the last three years. The surge in growth follows a natural shift in the forest canopy, which has allowed vital sunlight to reach the forest floor and trigger a rare wave of natural regeneration.
As a Green Tourism Gold award holder, Cairngorm Bothies is facilitating the event to ensure these "future giants" of the Scottish landscape find permanent homes in gardens, community spaces, and larger restoration projects across the North East.
A Community-Led Recovery The initiative invites participants to take an active role in regional reforestation. Volunteers will be guided by experts from NESBiP to safely lift the three-year-old saplings, with tools provided on-site. The event aims to strengthen the local "circular economy" by sharing the forest’s natural surplus with the wider community.
Dr. Gordon Drummond, owner of Cairngorm Bothies, said: “We are witnessing a remarkable moment of natural recovery on the forest floor. After decades of shade, the sunlight has finally reached these seeds, gifting us a new generation of native Scots Pine. As temporary custodians of this ancient woodland, we feel it is only right to share this surplus with our community. By rehoming these ‘future giants,’ we aren’t just planting trees; we are ensuring that the unique biodiversity of the Cairngorms can take root in gardens and green spaces across the North East."
Event Details and Registration The rehoming days will run in morning (10:00 – 12:00) and afternoon (13:00 – 15:00) slots. While the event is free, registration is required to manage the safe collection of the trees.
Cairngorm Bothies, located near Logie Coldstone, continues to lead in sustainable "off-grid" tourism, offering dog-friendly stays that encourage guests to connect deeply with the natural environment of Royal Deeside.
For more information https://www.cairngormbothies.co.uk/a-gift-from-the-forest-join-our-exclusive-scots-pine-rehoming-days/