9-day Scottish Highlands Volunteer Trip
Restore the Scottish Highlands!
Help restore the rich native Scottish landscape under the guidance of specialists from the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). Our travelers help on conservation projects at either Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve, home to Great Britain’s rarest alpine plants and ecosystems or at Ben Lomond NTS in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland’s first National Park.
For the past 9,000 years humans inhabited and altered the Scottish highland landscape. Early hunters and gatherers left stone tools and evidence of campsites as they followed deer herds, while farming dates back to 4000 BC. Forests were cleared, non-native plants introduced, and livestock grazing altered vegetation and prevented native trees, shrubs and wildflowers from growing. As a result, there was a significant loss of biodiversity.
On these trips you will have a unique opportunity to volunteer under the guidance of NTS, alongside the people whose life’s work is dedicated to protecting some of the most significant Scottish natural ecosystems and historic sites!
Project Activities | Itinerary | Price | Trip Reviews | Trip Reports| Safety
Scotland Conservation Activities
Conservation activities vary each trip, based on the needs of the NTS. You can expect the activities to include some combination of either vegetation activities which promote biodiversity, or trail activities to protect landscape, or historic preservation activities.
Vegetation
You will plant native trees and shrubs or remove non-native and invasive plants. You may also install tree protectors or fencing in order to prevent grazing animals from eating new plantings or remove fencing when plants have grown to the point protection is no longer needed,
Trail Activities
Because both Ben Lawers and Loch Lomond are popular hiking destinations, projects may also include trail maintenance. For example, you may clear trail corridors, improve trail drainage, repair footpath tread, build stone steps, or remove unwanted social trails.
Historic Preservation
You might assist with historic preservation, such as collecting and processing thatch materials to restore a roof on a traditional building.
Is this Trip Right for You?
Even if you have no prior experience, you can enjoy this trip because we train you in all aspects of the conservation activities.
However, to safely enjoy the trip, you should be able to hike 1-3 miles a day both on and off trail including some steeper stretches or uneven terrain, moving dirt and rocks with a shovel, and pulling unwanted plants.
While the Scottish mountains are rugged and scenic they rarely top 3,000 feet, so high elevation is generally not an issue.
Itinerary | Price | Trip Reviews | Trip Reports| Safety
Scottish Highlands Itinerary
Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve
ConservationVIP’s May 2026 group will travel to Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve. Ben Lawers is known for the rarest collection of arctic-alpine plants remaining in Great Britain as well as over 600 species of lichen. Because Ben Lawers NNR is also known for its sweeping views and system of footpaths, it is a popular hiking destination. It contains 7 munros (mountains over 3,000 feet in elevation).
Ben Lomond NTS
In September, ConservationVIP’s volunteer trip goes to Ben Lomond NTS, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. This site is located on the slopes of the southernmost munro in Scotland, Ben Lomond, so it provides a spectacular background for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs NP. Because it offers spectacular views of the island-filled Loch Lomond below, hiking to the summit of Ben Lomond is a popular activity for thousands of people who reside in nearby Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Both the trip to Ben Lawers and the trip to Loch Lomond begin and end in Glasgow, Scotland. Both trips are the same length and travelers on the two trips engage in similar project activities. So, the following Itinerary applies to both trips. However, any differences due to the destinations are noted, generally listing Ben Lawers NNR first, followed by information for Ben Lomond NTS.
Day 1: Meet in Glasgow, Scotland.
Welcome to Scotland! Begin your journey in Glasgow, which is Scotland’s largest city and was once home to a booming shipbuilding industry. At an orientation meeting in the late afternoon, you will get acquainted with your trip leaders and fellow travelers. Also, the leaders will give you an overview of the days ahead. Later, we’ll walk to a local restaurant specializing in Scottish cuisine. (Dinner and lodging included)
Day 2: Travel to either Killin near Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve or to Rowardennan in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Today we enjoy scenic vistas of Scotland as well as a guided tour of significant historic sites and engineering marvels on our journey. For example, we will visit the mythical shape-shifting Kelpies and meet and greet some sociable hairy coos (iconic Scottish highland cattle). We will also see the Falkirk Wheel – a Ferris wheel to lift boats between upper and lower canals – and Stirling Castle, one of the more significant sites in Scottish history.
In the afternoon we will check into our lodging for the next 7 nights.
Lodging
At Ben Lawers, our lodging will be the National Trust offices on the main street in Killin. Note that this Victorian era building contains not only the National Trust offices for the Reserve, but also employee and volunteer lodging. It also has a small native plant nursery. We’ll be housed in 2 bunkhouse style rooms.
At Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, our lodging is at NTS Ardess Lodge and Ben Lomond Bunkhouse. This lodge is located at the foot of Ben Lomond, adjacent to the Loch and the West Highland Way, a popular long-distance trek.
Meals
A hearty vegetarian dinner will be prepared by your private chefs – the trip leaders – who gladly welcome sous and guest chef volunteers! Note that all meals prepared by the trip leaders will be vegetarian. Following dinner, the National Trust rangers will discuss our projects for the next few days. (All meals and lodging included.)
Days 3 – 5: Scottish Highlands Conservation Projects
Participate in Conservation Project Activities in Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve or Loch Lomond and the Trossachs under the guidance of the NTS rangers.
On a typical project day, you prepare your breakfast, then pack your lunch, and get ready to go at 8:30 a.m. As you participate in projects throughout the day, the NTS rangers will provide you with guidance and information about the critically important nature of our projects, and also about the history, ecology and local lore of the area. After our projects end for the day, generally around 4:30 p.m., you’ll have time to relax before dinner.
After dinner there is time to relax, read, or tell stories. (All meals and lodging included.)
Day6: Rest Day
This is our scheduled rest day, although we may alter the timing of the rest day based on the availability of NTS rangers, work projects, or weather. On the rest day, we will have an opportunity to visit local historic and scenic locations. Alternatively, you may choose to hike or just relax at the lodge or in the local vicinity. (All meals and lodging included).
Days 7 – 8: Conservation Projects Continue
Continue with projects at Ben Lawers or Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, similar to Days 3 – 5. (All meals and lodging included).
Day 9: Return to Glasgow
After breakfast, we will pack up and return to Glasgow, where our trip ends. At this point, you can catch a plane home or continue your adventures via bus, ferry, or rail.
IMPORTANT NOTES about the Itinerary:
- First, be sure your travel plans will get you to the meeting point for the trip on time on Day 1. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.
- Second, before purchasing your airline tickets, please check with us to ensure the trip has the necessary minimum number of travelers required to operate.
- Finally, while we do our very best to adhere to the itinerary above, it is subject to change for reasons beyond our control, including changes in the local project needs, weather, and terrain conditions.
Price | Trip Reviews | Trip Reports| Safety
Scottish Highlands Trip Price
US$2,495 for nine days (Note: Your trip expense may be tax-deductible. To explain how, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page and consult your tax adviser for details.)
Price includes:
- ConservationVIP’s leadership and support staff for the trip and volunteer activities
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day
- Hotel in Glasgow; rooms are double occupancy
- Bunkhouses at the national park
- Bus and van transportation noted in the itinerary
- Gratuities for services provided to the group
- Group tools
- Orientation and training
Price does not include:
- Airfare to/from Scotland
- Medical immunizations
- Insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip)
- Excess baggage charges
- Airport taxes
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal items
Deposit and Cancellation
A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of signup; final payment is due at 90 days prior to departure. The payment and refund policy can be found here.
Group Size: 6 – 8 plus trip leaders
Scottish Highlands Volunteer Trip Reviews
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Just returned 4 days ago from August Highlands trip...It was a great trip in all aspects. The US leaders, and our Scottish hosts were fantastic, and they and each participant brought their own special gift to the experience.
It's a ConservationVIP trip I have wanted to take for a number of years and finally did. I was not disappointed. I was most interested in learning about and participating in the reforestation efforts in the Scottish Highlands. But it was much more than that. Woven in was the history and culture of Scotland. I left having a much better understanding of this wonderful country, and also a desire to return. The accommodations, the food, the trip leaders and the Trees for Life folks were all top notch.
Never having visited Scotland before, and not really sure of the adventures ahead of us, I was primed for any events that CVIP and Trees for Life had planned for us volunteers. We experienced a smorgasbord of beautiful mountains, lochs, crazy weather, fabulous Dundreggran staff, rewilding training, and best of all, time with each other. Like other CVIP trips I've participated in, I'm left with great memories and a real desire to return soon.
Everything about the experience was remarkable: ConservationVIP planning and guidance from Barbara and Richard, the seamless integration with Trees for Life program, the range of activities, tours and of course, the weather. That our group was so compatible and productive was partially due to luck but also to your thoughtful planning. Thank you and keep me on the list for next Scotland adventure.
It was a great trip in a beautiful spot. We did good work for good cause. Local leaders were very knowledgeable and helpful. The volunteers were a nice mix of people who all pitched with all the projects and meal prep.
I have participated in several Conservation VIP projects and this one did not disappoint! The facilities were great, the food even better. But it was the beautiful country that stole the show. It was so moving planting trees that will live for years and reseed for even more years to come. Liv and Sally, with Trees for Life, were knowledgeable, funny, patient and great guides for the week we were together. I highly recommend this trip!
Amazing. Super well-run, excellent and timely pre-trip information, great group and camaraderie. And the local staff shepherding us around daily were beyond fun, wonderful, energetic and interesting. We learned so much about the Highlands, land maintenance, competing interests and of course, about trees. An unforgettable experience. Well done, CVIP!
The program for Trees For Life is an important and fun way to get people involved with a hands on way of making the planet healthier. The leaders were generous with their time before and during the trip. The Highlands of Scotland are awesome. Go see for yourself.
Gear List for Scottish Highlands Volunteer Trip
The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip like ConservationVIP’s Scottish Highlands volunteer trip is layering. In order to get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection.
The Scottish Highlands gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. View the Gear List PDF.
Scottish Highlands Trip Reports
Click to view the PDF Trip Reports.
2025 August
2024 April
2023 May
2022 June
2019 September
2019 April-May
2018 September
2017 September
2016 September
2015 September
Also, read our guest blog to see how one traveler described her trip experience.
Safety is our Priority
ConservationVIP has always focused on our volunteers’ safety. Consequently, we know from experience that safe and enjoyable travel requires some extra planning and flexibility both for trip leaders and travelers!
Match Your Abilities with the Trip
Most importantly, select a trip that meets your abilities and conditioning. For this trip you should be able to hike 1-3 miles a day both on and off trail including some steeper stretches or uneven terrain. Also, you should be able to move dirt and rocks with a shovel and pull unwanted plants.
Follow Trip Leader’s Instructions
In addition, to prevent illness or injury on the trip, travelers will need to follow the trip leader’s instructions. Site-specific procedures and other specific safety instructions will be provided on the trip.
Medical Advice
Please check with your doctor to see if any immunizations are recommended for you.
Comply with other Travel Restrictions
Finally, travelers will also have to comply with any restrictions imposed by Scotland and your country of origin at the time of travel. While we know that restrictions may change between now and the time of travel, we cannot predict what those changes will be.
Scotland is a fabulous place to visit
If you have more time, we encourage you to extend your stay and explore the landscapes, oceans and history and culture of beautiful Scotland.
Glasgow is charming and there are many interesting sites of historical interest. For example, the University District, home to the University of Glasgow, was one of the centers of enlightenment in the 18th century. In addition, Glasgow is home to a variety of art, science and history museums. It is centrally located with airport, train, ferry and bus connections, so from this hub you can travel to other places you want to visit in Scotland.
We heartily recommend visiting Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site so you can see its medieval old town and 18th century New Town. Edinburgh is full of energy and highly walkable and is a one-hour trip from Glasgow.