For our next event, we are heading to the North East!
NWDG Summer Field Visit – Old Wood of Drum
📅 Friday 14 August 2026
🕚 11:00am – 4:00pm
📍 Drum Castle Estate, Aberdeenshire
Join the Native Woodlands Discussion Group for a fascinating day exploring one of Scotland’s finest surviving ancient oak wood pastures.
We are delighted to be joined by Bronwen Thomas, Ranger, and Alan Crawford, Senior Nature Conservation Officer with the National Trust for Scotland, who are leading the long-term restoration of this nationally significant landscape. Together we’ll explore both the historic Old Wood of Drum and the recently acquired woodland that is being restored to expand the ancient tree landscape. Their work aims to reconnect habitats, regenerate native woodland and create the ancient oaks of the future.
The programme
🌳 11:00 – 13:00 | Old Wood of Drum
- Introduction to the history of the woodland
- Ancient wood pasture and open-grown veteran oaks
- Current woodland management by the National Trust for Scotland
- Visit to the wet woodland with its remarkable ancient birch trees
🥪 13:00 – 13:30 | Lunch
Please bring a packed lunch if possible. The café at Drum Castle will be open, but returning to the castle takes additional time from the field visit.
🌲 13:30 – 14:30 | Lot 6
Explore recently acquired woodland undergoing restructuring, including mature conifer stands, naturally regenerating woodland and alder-dominated wet woodland along the burn.
🌿 14:30 – 16:00 | New Wood of Drum
Walk the historic avenue towards the castle through areas of regenerating native woodland. We’ll discuss woodland restoration, natural regeneration, invasive species management (including Rhododendron ponticum), and the exciting opportunities for landscape-scale ecological restoration.
🚗 Travel
- Parking is available in the main car park (please consider car sharing as it is the school holidays).
- Public transport is available via the 201/202 bus from Aberdeen Bus & Railway Station to Mains of Drum Garden Centre, followed by a 20-minute walk. Collection from the bus stop may be available if arranged in advance.
To learn more about the ambitious restoration programme at Drum, including the expansion of the ancient tree landscape, read the National Trust for Scotland article here:
https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/land-at-drum-acquired-to-restore-ancient-tree-landscape
We look forward to welcoming members and guests for what promises to be an excellent day exploring one of Scotland’s most important native woodland sites.
NWDG events are a chance to connect, learn, and share experiences with fellow woodland enthusiasts. They are available to members, so if you’re not already part of the group, join NWDG and become part of our woodland community. Once an event is announced via email and on our Facebook, you will receive a sign-up form to your email address.