Over 100 people attended the ASR Gathering.
The Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest is all about bringing people together. Our network spans the length and breadth of Scotland’s rainforest zone and beyond, connecting land managers, communities, ecologists, contractors, charities, public bodies and businesses who all share a passion for protecting and restoring this fragile habitat.
That spirit of collaboration was on full display at the 2026 ASR Gathering, held on 10 November at the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Headquarters in Balloch. An impressive 37 different organisations were represented among the 105 attendees, for what proved to be a hugely positive and energising day of learning, networking and knowledge sharing.
From the moment people arrived, there was a real buzz around the venue. Everywhere you looked, conversations were taking place. Old friends and colleagues were catching up, new connections were being made, and ideas were being exchanged between people working on rainforest restoration in very different parts of the country.
We were fortunate to have the brilliant Heather Reid guiding us through the day, while Jenni Minto MSP, Nature Champion for Scotland’s Rainforest, opened proceedings with an inspiring address. Julie Stoneman, ASR Programme Manager, then set the rest of the day in motion, and introduced a powerful new film created by Hopscotch Films about the work taking place to restore and protect Scotland’s rainforest (see below).
A packed programme of presentations and discussions explored everything from major new projects and community engagement to evidence-led restoration and the challenge of securing long-term funding for rainforest recovery.
The panel sessions were a particular highlight. Questions came thick and fast through Slido, reflecting both the expertise in the room and the enthusiasm of participants to learn from one another. The afternoon workshops provided further opportunities to delve deeper into key topics, sparking fresh thinking and plenty of discussion that continued long after the sessions ended.
The formal programme may have finished in the afternoon, but the conversations certainly didn't. Many attendees joined us for an evening meal in Balloch, where discussions continued over good food and great company.
Almost 50 people stayed on for field trips the following day, setting out into the rainforest in deep morning fog. It was a fitting reminder that while gatherings like this are invaluable for sharing knowledge and building partnerships, everything ultimately comes back to the places we are all working to protect.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, chaired, presented, or helped behind the scenes. Special thanks also to the staff at Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Headquarters for hosting us so warmly, and to our fantastic team of volunteers who kept everything running smoothly throughout the event. We couldn't have done it without you.
All photos by Jenny Tweedie.
