Jim MacEwan from Highland Family Group shares about the recent regional gathering of Iona Community Members, Associate Members and friends in the Highlands.
Signs of hope are to be treasured these days: daily we pray that the Abbey ‘be continued still to be a sanctuary and a light’ – a continuing sign of hope in our troubled world. Fortunately there are also many others, and around 30 folk, comprising Iona Community Members, Associate Members and friends from other local faith communities, recently spent 24 hours at one of them, the Trees for Life Rewilding Centre at Dundreggan, near Loch Ness. This proved to be a beautiful location for our 2026 Highlands & Islands regional gathering.
The concept of Rewilding can be contentious, but the aim of Trees for Life is providing space ‘for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive’, seeking to minimise conflict between the needs of people and of the vast number of other beings with whom we share this land.
The Centre has a 10,000 acre estate, as well as a tree nursery which provides not only for its own needs, but for the re-foresting of many other places. The nursery specialises in native trees and shrubs as well as rare and hard-to-grow trees, not least the aspen, with its complex means of reproduction.
Although all signs and talks are in English, Gaelic is also used, and it is a practical link with the past, with many Gaelic place-names indicating where different species of tree were once common, or even where animals such as wolves were prevalent. Though any hope of reintroducing wolves is but a distant prospect, Trees for Life is supportive of the recent return of Beavers around neighbouring Loch Affric and is a partner in the campaign to bring back Lynx in suitable areas.
The main building at Dundreggan is only 3 years old, and is a splendid place to stay. You don’t need to be part of large group, and the cafe welcomes non-residents, who can also enjoy the paths or book a tour of the Nursery. Do have a look at the Trees for Life website.
TfL is clearly well financed, both from public funds and from companies which like to be seen ‘doing the right thing’ – and no harm in that!
Our theme was ‘On the Wild Side’. As well as input from the Trees for Life staff, our time together included worship, reflection/discussion on ‘rewilding our faith and our lives’, meditation, singing, and an entertaining quiz, as well as the invaluable socialising with friends old and new.
We are all grateful to Iain Todd for suggesting the venue, and to Gillian Cummins and Ali Holmes for their marvellous organisation.
Jim MacEwan (Highland Family Group)
Photos from Highland Family Group members.
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