Scotland Takes Bold Step Towards Becoming World’s First ‘Rewilding Nation’
On Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, a group of passionate campaigners gathered outside Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament, to advocate for Scotland to become the world’s first ‘Rewilding Nation’. The colorful stunt, organized by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, aimed to bring attention to the barriers preventing rewilding and to highlight the readily available solutions.
The event was attended by more than 100 individuals representing thousands of people, charities, community groups, and businesses from across Scotland. It follows the recent public support from acclaimed Scottish actor Alan Cumming, who joined a long list of celebrities backing the campaign.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance has called on the Scottish government to commit to rewilding 30% of the country’s land and seas. Their ‘Pathway to a Rewilding Nation’ outlines practical steps the government can take to achieve this goal.
This event marked the first time rewilding campaigners have directly addressed Scotland’s politicians. While rewilding has gained momentum in recent years, with almost 200 projects led by communities, charities, farmers, and landowners, the Alliance believes it’s time for politicians to step up and make significant commitments to large-scale nature restoration.
Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Despite the Scottish government’s pledge to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, only 2.5% of Scotland’s land is currently being rewilded. At the current rate of progress, it will take 65 years before significant nature restoration is underway across 30% of the country.
Rewilding is the large-scale restoration of nature to a self-sustaining state. It focuses on reviving natural processes and reintroducing missing species when appropriate.
Co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of charity Bright Green Nature, Karen Blackport, stated: “Rewilding offers hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies and brings with it a wealth of benefits, including jobs, clean air and water, and improved health. Polling shows that 80% of Scots believe the Scottish government should have policies in place to support rewilding. However, time and again, we are met with silence, foot-dragging, or excuses when it comes to protecting and restoring nature on a large scale.”
Blackport continued: “Scotland has the opportunity to lead the way in reversing the nature crisis. We want to see these issues openly debated and discussed by all political parties in the run-up to the Scottish elections next May.”
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance asserts that rewilding 30% of Scotland can be achieved by restoring habitats, such as peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers, and seas, while also maintaining and benefiting productive farmland.
The Rewilding Nation campaign has garnered support from Scottish actor Brian Cox, musician Nathan Evans, Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, and activists Laura Young and Somhairle. For more information on the Pathway to a Rewilding Nation, visit www.rewild.scot/pathway-to-a-rewilding-nation.
Press Contact:
Scottish Rewilding Alliance
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