Rewilding Young People

Alladale Wilderness Experience (AWE) is a professionally designed and delivered holistic environmental education and personal development course set within the most remote rewilding project in the UK.

We believe that young people must be inspired to preserve nature and that this is only possible through meaningful experiences in wild places. Yet, less than 40% of schoolchildren in the UK spend time regularly in natural settings. Our mission is to engage young people with nature, support their wellbeing, and empower the next generation of environmental stewards.

Empowering Youth Education in the Wild

Over five days, children hike, bike, navigate and craft their way to a deeper understanding of the natural world. During the tailored experience, participants improve their understanding of nature, ecology and conservation, as well as learning key life skills in one of the most progressive nature restoration projects in Scotland. We aim to enable those taking part to reconnect with our natural heritage, and to ignite a passion to protect, restore and value the wild.

A rich itinerary, focused on ecology and leadership

A five-day, four-night programme of adventure, activities, and immersive learning about the nature of the Scottish Highlands, tailored to school requirements. Participants discover the role nature restoration can play in mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss. They learn why looking after nature is good for people and communities, and get a chance to explore their own abilities and strengths outside the classroom.

Key learning objectives

Riparian, freshwater and terrestrial ecology, peatland restoration and native woodland restoration.

Rewilding, climate resilience, and community-led stewardship for nature.

Collaborative problem-solving and co-operation with peers.

Bushcraft, outdoor and adventure learning, leadership skills.

“The importance of children experiencing and enjoying the wild is essential both for them and the planet – especially today. Alladale is the perfect place to do just that.”

Ben Fogle,
Broadcaster, Writer & Adventurer

Connecting to nature

The Alladale Wilderness Experience involves shared challenge to develop collaboration and leadership skills. Personal development starts with pushing oneself beyond comfort zones to acquire new skills and perspectives – our support gives children the confidence to expand their horizons.

We encourage personal strength but also the ability to foster a collaborative and supportive team environment. By tackling challenges together, individuals develop resilience, creativity, and a deeper understanding of their own and others’ abilities, ultimately leading to both individual and collective success.

Our immersive environmental education activities provide practical knowledge about local flora and fauna and biodiversity loss, in the context of climate change and the impact of human activities on the planet. We also introduce concepts such as nature restoration, regenerative agriculture, and renewable energy as positive solutions.

Raising consciousness through immersive outdoor experiences fosters a deeper connection with nature and the reasons for sustainable practices. These experiences lead to a greater appreciation for the environment and a commitment to protecting it.

“I loved learning new things like navigation, about animals, making better and stronger friendships and being outside” 

Pupil,
Dornoch Academy

The Alladale Wilderness Experience is partially sponsored by the Swire Charitable Trust as part of a partnership to restore living landscapes in Scotland and connect more people to nature.

Discover SCT's Work

The Alladale Wilderness Experience is proud to partner with Ában Adventure Learning Community as our delivery partners for the educational experience.