OUR
WALKS, TALKS
& GATHERINGS
bring people and place together
Walks & talks
We believe landscapes really come alive when you engage with them. We offer a varied programme of guided walks, talks and workshops throughout the spring, summer and autumn, giving people a chance to delve deeper into the sights and sounds of Dùn Coillich.
For some, it’s a canvas for creativity; we offer dedicated workshops where you can write, draw or develop photography skills.
Others want to reap the rewards that being surrounded by nature can bring, mindfulness walks or joining a guided tour walk to learn about the wealth of flora and fauna that call Dùn Coillich home.
Walks, talks and workshops are booked through our Eventbrite page where you will find full details of timings, where to meet, what to wear/bring and what to expect.
Numbers are strictly limited and booking is essential for all events, so make sure you get in early!
Events
Sunday volunteering back for 2025!
January 2025
We’re coming up to the last Sunday of the month so it must be time for Sunday volunteering sessions to restart at Dùn Coillich!
Our monthly volunteer sessions are ideal for those who can’t make it to the weekly sessions on Tuesdays.
Run alongside the Heart of Scotland Forest Partnership, they can also be chance to visit and support other locations in Highland Perthshire.
Wherever we meet, it’s an opportunity to make new friends, enjoy stunning landscapes and do something positive for your local environment.
It’s easy to sign up and get involved. You’ll be given all the equipment and training you need, just bring warm layers, sturdy footwear, your lunch – and be prepared for whatever the Scottish weather might throw at you!
The first session of 2025 takes place on Sunday 26th January – meet at 10am at the Dùn Coillich car park, anyone welcome.
See you then!
2025 Volunteering season underway
Tuesday 14 January 2025
If one of your new year’s resolutions is to get out more, then why not give our weekly or monthly volunteer sessions a go?
As of Tuesday 14th January the 2025 volunteering season is now fully underway!
We don’t let the weather get in the way unless it’s blowin’ a hoolie or we’re beaten back by snow, and we carry on looking after the hill right through the winter months.
Volunteering at Dùn Coillich is a brilliant way to connect with nature, make new friends and get fit along the way. We love welcoming new volunteers of all ages, so why not give it a go?
We meet every Tuesday and the last Sunday of the month, all equipment provided – just come prepared for the Scottish weather, bring some lunch and a sense of humour!
Take a look at our volunteering page to find out more, register your interest, and make 2025 your year to volunteer.
Capture the Scene: Landscape Photography Workshop
Monday 23 September 2024
Your Host
Ian Biggs, local landscape photographer and hillwalker
Learn and develop your landscape photography skills in a small group setting from one of the best in the business.
Love lichens and master mosses!!
Saturday 17 August 2024
Your Host
Oli Moore, Plantlife, Moss and Lichen enthusiast
Get up close and personal with some of the jewels of Dùn Coillich – the intricate mosses and lichens that clothe the walls, trees and stones across the site.
Dùn Coillich: Past, Present and Future
Saturday 22 June 2024
Your Host
Willie McGhee, Forest Manager and native woodland expert
A guided walk where you’ll be introduced to the planted and regenerating trees emerging across the landscape as well as discover more about the ecology and Natural History of Dùn Coillich.
Symbiosis – Relationships in Nature
Saturday 8 June 2024
Your Host
Richard Paul, HPCLT Chairman, Trustee and Volunteer
A guided walk that will use Dùn Coillich to illustrate the complex range of relationships between animals, plants, fungi and their physical environments. How rocks become eagles and eagles become rocks. Set your watches to deep time!
Meet the Badgers – Act two
Saturday 8 June 2024
Your Host
Fred Cochrane, Assistant Project Officer
Another special chance to meet our resident badgers in a dusk badger watch.
Mindful Moments
Saturday 1 June 2024
Your Hosts
Vicky Bickerstaffe, Mindfulness Practitioner
Heather Hamilton, Project Officer
Combine mindfulness with movement in a gentle, immersive nature walk through the landscape.
Capture the Scene: Landscape Photography Workshop
Monday 27 May 2024
Your Host
Ian Biggs, local landscape photographer and hillwalker
Learn and develop your landscape photography skills in a small group setting from one of the best in the business.
Perthshire’s Pearls – rare butterfly and moth hunt
Monday 20 May 2024
Your Host
Anthony Mcluskey, Project Officer Butterfly Conservation and Outreach Officer at Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Keep your eyes peeled for the rare Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Dark Yellow Underwing Moth – learn how to spot them and where you might see them.
GATHERINGS
Getting together is a vital part of connecting with the community, raising awareness of our work, celebrating successes and thanking our volunteers and supporters. Our gatherings play a central part in that.
Events include our twice-yearly community barbeques held at Dùn Coillich. They are held come rain or shine, and the more musical among us might even strike up a tune or two!
Our Annual General Meetings (AGM) provide a great opportunity to meet our trustees, volunteers, representatives of partner organisations as well as our project officers.
Come along to find out more about what we do, and hear about the latest projects. You can also become a member, sign up as a volunteer and find out more about key projects such as our rural skills training scheme.
We also invite inspiring speakers so the local community can hear from key individuals working in landscape regeneration, ecological restoration or wildlife monitoring.
GATHERINGS
Mid-summer gathering and barbeque
Saturday 22 June 2024
Dùn Coillich main car park
2.00 – 5.00pm
Preceded by guided walk from Forest Manager and native tree expert Willie McGhee.
Annual General Meeting
Saturday 27 April 2024
Kynachan Hall, Bridge of Tummel
2.00 – 4.00pm
Including talk on pine martens from natural historian, ecologist and forester, Rob Coope.
