Day 1: Welcome

Upon arrival and introductions, we kick off with refreshing ‘Scottish’ cocktails, followed by a pre-dinner briefing to set the tone for the exciting days ahead. We then gather around our farmhouse dining table to enjoy our first shared evening meal.

Day 2: The Challenge of Change

Trainer: Peter Cairns, SBP Executive Director

Our training begins right outside the door with a walk along the River Feshie in our rewilding reserve. Peter Cairns will encourage you to not just look at the landscape, but to see it as a constantly evolving ecological system. We’ll explore the concept of ‘ecological blindness’ and discuss how the values and motivations of those who live and work in these landscapes impact the potential for meaningful change.

In the afternoon, we’ll have an indoor session where we dive into the challenge of change, the importance of understanding your audience, and storytelling techniques that can spark new ways of thinking and inspire action.

Day 3: Speaking to the Heart, Not Just the Head

Trainer: Mark Hamblin, SBP Visual Content Creator

Visual imagery is an underutilized yet powerful tool in the environmental sector. It transcends age and background, speaking directly to people’s emotions. Mark will guide you through the role of photography and video in your communication strategy, showing how they can dramatically impact your messaging. The day includes a field exercise to help participants create their own visual stories.

Day 4: What You Say, and How You Say It, Matters

Trainers: Pennie Latin-Stuart and Dan Holland, Directors of Adventurous Audio Ltd

Effectively communicating ecological recovery can be challenging, and for many, presenting the story in public—or on camera—can be even more daunting. In today’s world of soundbites, the ability to speak confidently and passionately, especially within tight timeframes, is invaluable.

Pennie Latin-Stuart and Dan Holland, experienced trainers for broadcasters and public speakers, will work with you on engaging an audience, framing your language, and delivering compelling narratives. Today’s exercises will focus on speaking in public, on camera, and on radio.

Day 5: Tell Your Own Story, In Your Own Way

Trainer: Jocasta Mann, SBP Digital Communications and Media Lead

Creating content that propels the rewilding movement forward without alienating key audiences is a delicate balance. We’ll review the key takeaways from the week and each participant will have the opportunity to craft their own personal story—whether verbal, visual, or written.

We’ll then explore various platforms for sharing your story, from traditional media to digital channels, and discuss which ones are most effective in driving behavioral change.

Day 6: Farewells

After a hearty breakfast, we say our goodbyes, reflecting on the journey and the skills we’ve gained during our time together.