Scottish Wildlife Trust, a charitable organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and the restoration of natural environments in Scotland, has received what has been described as a “historic” donation. The funds will be used to restore an area that will eventually host a reforestation and wildlife conservation project.
Twenty-one million euros is a sum no NGO expects to receive overnight—let alone without notice. “Mornings at the office are usually very calm, so when the accountant stormed into my office, I was startled at first. But as soon as I saw the look of astonishment and joy on his face, I knew he was bringing good news,” recalls Jo Pike, the young CEO of Scottish Wildlife Trust, her blue eyes still filled with wonder as she remembers the moment of the spectacular announcement.
The extraordinary sum of money arrived as if from the sky—without warning and completely anonymously. A “gift” that landed in the bank account of Scottish Wildlife Trust—an organization that has been working since 1964 to conserve Scotland’s wildlife and natural areas—making possible a long-cherished dream: a new program of reforestation and wildlife protection in the town of Ullapool.
To bring this new conservation project in Ullapool to life, Scottish Wildlife Trust has the necessary expertise. Since acquiring its first nature reserve in 1966, the organization has expanded to more than 120 reserves across Scotland. These sites, with their respective visitor centers in places such as Montrose Basin (Angus), Loch of the Lowes (Perth and Kinross), and the Falls of Clyde (South Lanarkshire), not only provide refuge and protection for wildlife but also offer people opportunities to interact with nature and enjoy the benefits of close contact with it. The Trust also aims to influence the creation of new laws to protect Scotland’s wildlife.
A Unique Enclave of Biodiversity
Ullapool is a small coastal port in northwestern Scotland, founded in 1788. Though it has only about 1,500 inhabitants, it is the largest settlement in the Highland region around Loch Broom, a serene stretch of water that connects to the Outer Hebrides. Here lies the Inverbroom estate, a vast property spanning about 7,500 hectares that harbors a unique biodiversity. This land, which until now has had no protection, has been described by experts as ideal for reforestation and wildlife conservation projects—an initiative now possible thanks to the multimillion-euro donation recently received by Scottish Wildlife Trust.
The Trust, well known for purchasing and preserving small nature reserves in Scotland, has now acquired the Inverbroom estate—a long-held dream. Its goal is to create a haven for nature recovery, featuring a forest that will integrate numerous species from both temperate and Atlantic rainy climates. This strategic mix will allow conservation experts to work effectively on forest restoration and on preserving endemic animal species such as deer and the capercaillie, whose hunting has become a serious problem in the region.
The Inverbroom property also includes a notable building with 11 rooms and an indoor pool. It is, in fact, a picturesque courthouse dating back to medieval times, which will become a key piece of the project. The donated funds cover the costs of its renovation and refurbishment, transforming it into an eco-friendly family holiday retreat. The site will provide a strategic place to relax while in close contact with the unique native species of the Scottish Highlands, with profits reinvested into maintaining the estate.
“We see many possibilities for care and restoration of nature at Inverbroom, a natural space that will now become a reserve, combining great benefits for both nature and people. Moreover, it will be a unique opportunity to discover Scotland at its deepest, wildest, and most natural, revealing the interior of a country to the world as never before,” concluded Jo Pike, CEO of Scottish Wildlife Trust.
