Final call to join Durrell’s Trek in the heart of the Cairngorms

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is inviting islanders to join them for an extraordinary trekking experience in the heart of the Cairngorms. Taking place between 17-20 September, trekkers will embark on a wild adventure, challenge themselves to summit three peaks in the Cairngorms, then enjoy an exclusive visit to Durrell’s Dalnacardoch Estate, spending time with its rewilding experts working hard to restore this precious landscape.

This trek follows Durrell’s Founder’s Trek which took place in 2025 to celebrate Gerald Durrell’s centenary year. Here the group trekked from Gerald Durrell’s birthplace in West Bengal to Assam, the home of Durrell’s Pygmy Hog Conservation Project, and raised a phenomenal £54,000 for the charity as part of the process.

Speaking about this upcoming challenge, Director of Fundraising and Commercial, Alexandra Shears commented: “After the phenomenal success of our Founder’s Trek last year, we are really excited to be launching another challenge for 2026. These treks are an amazing opportunity for Durrell supporters, members and enthusiasts to meet some of our fantastic on the ground conservationists, who are working tirelessly each day to drive meaningful and impactful change to the world that we live in. They also serve as an important fundraiser for Durrell, which helps support our mission of saving species from extinction. Spaces are limited and applications close on 6 February so be quick if you want to get involved!”

Durrell in Scotland

Durrell announced its 100-year rewilding project in Scotland back in 2023, when it leased the Dalnacardoch estate the aim of restoring habitats and ecological processes, recovering iconic missing species and nurturing a strong, emotional connection where people are a part of their wild and diverse environment.

In the short time they have been working on the estate, the Durrell team have completed baseline ecological and species surveys and begun restoring natural processes by repairing peatlands and reducing grazing pressure on the Dalnacardoch estate. These efforts are already showing results, areas of peatlands rewetted to their former vibrant glory, are now teaming with insects and mosses. Native trees have started to regenerate naturally and wildlife is returning.

Apply now

Islanders wanting to take part in Durrell’s upcoming trek can find out more and apply by visiting https://www.durrell.org/trek.