Glenlude, Scottish Borders

Nestled in the Scottish Borders, approximately 50 minutes from Edinburgh and Glasgow, Glenlude offers a hands-on experience where your team can step away from the office, reconnect with nature, and make a tangible impact on climate change and biodiversity. 

All our activities are sociable and enable team bonding, including tree planting and maintenance, seed gathering and learning about habitat restoration from our experts. Every activity will contribute towards restoring a thriving ecosystem. 

Your team can help transform an old sheep farm and conifer plantation into a diverse native woodland with glades and meadows, confident that their conservation efforts are authentic and impactful. You'll also be able to track the progress of this wild place for years to come - and perhaps even return to see for yourself! 

What activities are available to us? 

Tree planting (October to April)
Your team can plant trees at Glenlude that will be cared for through the 
generations. Trek across heathland, bracken, and open hills up to 350 m, carrying young trees and tools to planting spots up to 2 km away from the main meeting point - our hut. Sometimes there are no footpaths so be prepared to walk across rough healtland, and enjoy the opportunity to bring new life to this wild place. 

• Level of difficulty: Medium

Tree maintenance (all year round)
This is a great activity to ensure the survival of young trees that will grow to sequester carbon. You will learn about the maintenance of specific trees and check them for signs of health, re-tube, re-stake, and undertake other nurturing activities that will strengthen the trees. Tree species include birch, oak, rowan, asper, holly, hazel and more.

• Level of difficulty: Medium

Ranger-led walk (all year round)
Explore the Glenlude site and learn about its unique habitat, our conservation work and our future plans. Since 2014, the number of bird species has doubled in the area thanks to the hard work of our staff and volunteers who have created the best habitat to support woodland birds.

• Level of difficulty: Medium; involves walking over rough ground

Polytunnel conservation work (all year round) 
This activity is accessible to all. Our nursery sits right next to the volunteers’ hut, with parking about 200 m away (closer access is available for those with limited mobility). Typical tasks include watering, weeding, picking out seedlings, potting and preparing plants for planting out, and cutting mesh. A polytunnel offers shelter on wet days, and there’s a wheelchair-accessible compost loo just across the yard from the volunteers’ hut. 

• Level of difficulty: Low

Brash hedge building and maintenance

Across the site, we’ve built several large brash hedges using offcuts from tree felling to protect young trees by keeping out deer and sheep. These natural enclosures require regular checking and upkeep.

The work takes place up to 2km from the meeting point, with a 150m height gain, and involves three key tasks:

• Cutting branches from spruce trees for materials

• Dragging the branches to the hedge site

• Weaving them into the existing hedge structure

The work is physical and requires carrying a day pack, but tasks can be divided to suit different abilities.

• Level of difficulty: Medium

What to expect

What do I need to prepare?

We’ll provide everything you need, including a full kit list, logistical details, risk assessments, and a tailored plan for your visit.

There’s a wooden hut on site where you can make tea or coffee and get ready for the day. A composting toilet is also available.

What’s included

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Hand-cleaning and composting toilet facilities

• All tools and equipment for the conservation work

• Use of the hut and wood-burning stove

• Hot drinks and cake

What to bring

• Outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for variable conditions
• Sturdy, waterproof boots
• Warm layers – the weather can change quickly
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses 
• Drinking water – at least one litre per person 
• Lunch – please bring your own food for the day 
• Chargers or power banks – the site is off-grid 
• Bottled water – there is no running water on-site 

Transport

• Please consider carpooling where possible to reduce carbon emissions.
• Parking is limited to 8 medium-sized vehicles.