And some stories are still unfolding. Near Gleneagles, Call of the Wild’s Hamish and Liberty Martin are quietly transforming Tombane Farm, their bothy cottage, into a sustainable, self-sufficient haven. “We’re working with nature, not against it,” says Hamish. “It’s about more than rewilding for us; we’re on a regenerative path that’s trying to give this land a head start.” Their smallholding sits on a rare, ancient juniper grove, now a sanctuary for threatened species. Visitors can sponsor and plant their own Scots pine, complete with certificate, tree tag, and even follow-up photographs.
It’s easy to get lost in the grandeur of it all, but in Big Tree Country, silence is sacred. “We encourage visitors to sit quietly in the forest,” continues Hamish. “Trees are communicative beings, and their language is vibration.” Call of the Wild’s guided nature walks focus on sensory awareness – smelling pine resin, hearing the owl hoot from their barn, feeling the rough bark of an oak. This kind of tree bathing isn’t new science; it’s ancient wisdom.
Spend enough time amongst the trees, and the true nature of this woodland realm reveals itself. It can be found in the silver birch groves of the Birks of Aberfeldy, the mystical stone circle of Crag Moraig that was once arranged with wooden posts and the Victorian Pinetum at Scone Palace where the original Douglas fir was planted, raised from the first seed sent back from America by David Douglas in 1827. Perthshire invites deep exploration, but also the opportunity to pause and listen, especially in the colder months. According to the Martins, “Every tree tells a story. You just have to take the time to hear it”.
