New Highland Roots Woodland Retreat

Growing Connections: Defence Gardens Scheme in Scotland

Defence Gardens Scheme (DGS) is continuing to grow its work across Scotland, creating opportunities for members of the Armed Forces community to connect with nature, learn new skills and, importantly, connect with one another.

Through our Highland Roots programme, we are working with partners across Scotland to offer a mixture of longer-term programmes, practical workshops and nature-based experiences. Activities are relaxed and welcoming, giving people the opportunity to take part at their own pace whether that means getting hands-on with horticulture, trying a new craft, sharing food and conversation, or simply spending time outdoors with others.

Coming up – our first residential workshop

Highland Roots Woodland Retreat, 25–27 September 2026.

September marks an exciting development for DGS as we deliver our first residential DGS workshop, in partnership with Operation Cairngorms CIC in Royal Deeside.

Building on our shorter Cultivate and Connect sessions the Highland Roots Woodland Retreat gives participants the opportunity to spend an entire weekend immersed in a woodland environment.

Operation Cairngorms brings extensive experience of delivering inclusive outdoor and woodland-based activities for the Armed Forces community, making the partnership a natural fit for Highland Roots. Together, DGS and Operation Cairngorms have developed a weekend combining nature connection, woodland skills, wild swimming and sauna, creative activities, shared meals and time around the campfire.

The residential format gives us something particularly valuable: time. Rather than fitting activities and conversations into a few hours, participants have the opportunity to settle into the environment, build relationships, try something new and experience different activities at their own pace.

The retreat will also help DGS explore how residential nature-based experiences can complement our existing one-day workshops and longer programmes as Highland Roots continues to develop across Scotland.

Cultivate and Connect at the Botanics

One of our partnerships is with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, where our Cultivate and Connect workshops bring members of the Armed Forces community together in the beautiful surroundings of the Botanics.

Our August session made the most of the summer garden, with participants enjoying nature-based activities including flower printing and herbal teas, alongside plenty of opportunity to talk, meet new people and enjoy time outdoors.

These shorter workshops provide an accessible introduction to nature-based wellbeing, with no gardening knowledge or previous experience required.

In September, Highland Roots also travelled north to Marcassie Farm in Moray for our Naturally Useful workshop. Participants spent the day learning how to make natural felted soap, enjoying time outdoors and sharing a farm-grown lunch together.

Across all our activities, the emphasis is simple: facilitated, not dictated. There is no expectation to be particularly outdoorsy or already interested in gardening. People can participate in a way that works for them.

Upcoming Highland Roots workshops

There are more opportunities to get involved with Defence Gardens Scheme across Scotland over the coming months:

• 25–27 September – Highland Roots 48hr Woodland Retreat, Operation Cairngorms, Royal Deeside
• 6 October – 1 day Cultivate and Connect, Vegetable Harvest Workshop, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
• 27 November – 1 Day Cultivate and Connect Workshop, Erskine Veterans Activity Centre, Forres
• 4 December – 1 Day Cultivate and Connect Workshop, Erskine Veterans Activity Centre, Forres

Whether someone wants to learn a new skill, meet others, reconnect with nature or simply spend some time somewhere different, DGS activities provide an informal and supportive way to get involved.

Find out more

For information about Defence Gardens Scheme activities in Scotland, Highland Roots, upcoming workshops or referral opportunities, please contact: Pip Delamere-Wright at: pip@defencegardens.org

By Pip Delamere-Wright