Field Notes: Summer visitors to the Borders

Glenlude Manager Karen Purvis was delighted to co-host, with our partners, a group of Canadian students when they visited the Scottish Borders for their international service trip in June.

As well as learning about the reintroduction and rehabilitation of golden eagles with Philip Munro from the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project; tree planting with The Borders Forest Trust; and the craft of drystone wall construction with Neil Moffat - the Canadian students found out about tree maintenance and care at with Karen at Glenlude.

After returning to Vancouver, the Waldorf School grade 12 class shared their trip reflections and photographs with all the participants. Here is a sample of what they shared.

"As we were all working with the young trees at Glenlude, Karen told us lots of interesting things about planting and maintaining trees, as well as the project itself. I found the work very meditative and relaxing, and I appreciated the chance to concentrate on each of the little trees in front of me as I worked my way through the area." - Malena

"Learning from Karen and Philip deepened and personalized our volunteer experience. They answered all our questions and showed us the positive effects the project is having on the environment. When it came time for the class to leave Scotland, we did so with a feeling that we had made an impact, all thanks to the John Muir Trust and the people we were lucky enough to work with." - Siar

"After learning about how these walls are made, and actually doing it myself, I have a great deal of respect for the time and energy that goes into making them, and it was heartening to see how Neil and Darren warmed up to our group and started cracking jokes towards the end. It reminded me a lot of my grandparents’ humour back home, as they are also originally from Scotland." - Arlo

"These organizations, and the amazing people we met, made our trip a success and created memories for us that will last a lifetime." - Anika

• Find out more about our work at Glenlude.

Photographs by Gwen Elliott