Rewilding at Nether Glenny Farm

At Nether Glenny, we have our feet firmly in two camps: farming and rewilding. We believe they can sit side by side perfectly when managed with intention, respect for the land, and a long-term vision. Our aim is to restore natural processes, support biodiversity, and create habitats where wildlife can thrive—while continuing to run a sustainable upland farm.

Each year, we undertake at least one dedicated rewilding project, steadily improving the ecological richness of the land we care for.

Who We Are: A Rewilding Land Partner

As custodians of this hillside landscape, we work to balance productive farming with nature restoration. We are proud to be Rewilding Land Partners with Scotland: The Big Picture, a charitable organisation working to make rewilding happen across Scotland as a solution to the climate and biodiversity crises. Through this partnership, we commit to enhancing soil health, improving biodiversity, protecting water quality and strengthening the long-term ecological resilience of the land we care for.

Our Key Rewilding Projects

2024 – Creation of The Bothy Pond

In 2024, we created a large wildlife pond beside The Bothy. In summer, it is brimming with life: dragonflies, damselflies, tadpoles, newts and an abundance of insects.
Migratory swifts, visiting each May from Africa, now collect mud from the pond edges to build nests in The Bothy’s eaves; an early sign that the wetland is functioning exactly as it should.

2023 – Hedgehog Reintroduction

Hedgehogs are now classified as vulnerable to extinction in Britain, with numbers falling sharply since the 1970s. Rewilding helps reverse this decline by restoring the rich mosaic of food sources, shelter and safe corridors they need to survive.

In 2023, in partnership with the SPCA, we had a truly magical day releasing 10 rehabilitated hedgehogs onto the estate. Our woodlands and rough grassland offer the kind of varied habitat hedgehogs depend on.

During their first few weeks of settling in, we provided hedgehog houses and supplementary cat food to support their transition. The SPCA officers reminded us that once the hedgehogs found their bearings, we were unlikely to see them again: a sign that they were thriving independently.

And so, it has proved. We have never seen them again, but knowing they are out there, moving quietly through the landscape, is a small, hopeful success for local biodiversity. We hope very much to work with the SPCA again.

2019–2020 – Native Tree Planting

Between 2019 and 2020, we, as a family, planted more than 200 native trees, including oak, birch, Scots pine, alder, and European aspen. These young trees contribute to long-term woodland regeneration, increased biodiversity and improved carbon sequestration across the estate.

Protecting our Ancient oak forest is one of our highest priorities. Along the location of slopes is 5 hectares of forest, including – This area is ring fenced

We have 4 hectares of ancient oak forest

Highland Cattle: A Natural Part of the Ecosystem

Our Highland cattle play an important role in shaping the landscape:

• Managing invasive bracken: Their movement helps break up dense stands, allowing more delicate species to re-establish.

• Creating micro-habitats: Their hoof activity lightly disturbs the soil, increasing invertebrate diversity.

• Recycling nutrients: Through grazing and dunging, they return rich nutrients to the soil, supporting insects and soil life; each cow pat becomes a miniature ecosystem hotel!

If our rewilding endeavours interest you, we recommend booking onto our Coos and Views experience on Wednesdays and Saturdays or get in touch to enquire about a bespoke experience.

Spring Rewilding Event:

Contact us if you are interested in our Rewilding Spring Event, which will involve a visit plus talk on all of our Rewilding Projects, plus a delicious home-cooked lunch served in The Pantry at Nether Glenny Farm.