Case study: Volunteering in Wild Space

Gillian Johnstone shares her experience of volunteering in the Wild Space visitor centre in Pitlochry.

The John Muir Trust is an inspiring organisation. Connecting, protecting, and restoring wild places in Scotland and around the UK.

I am really passionate about nature and the environment. Having travelled extensively though out the Scottish Highlands in our caravan, climbing over 83 Munros including Schiehallion. These hillwalking experiences have given me a deep appreciation of the beautiful and diverse landscapes we have in Scotland. After competing my BSc Honours degree in Countryside Management at SRUC in 2021, I felt Inspired to have a role in nature conservation. I started volunteering with the John Muir Trust in June 2022 at their Wild Space visitor centre in Pitlochry. At the visitor centre I have been helping the staff run the gift shop and informing visitors about the important role the Trust has in protecting wild places. As well as, the vision, aims and objectives of the Trust. Volunteering has enabled me to develop my communication skills and provided me with valuable experience in the workplace. It is wonderful to volunteer with an organisation that shares my passion and concern for protecting and restoring the environment, helping to mitigate the climate and biodiversity emergency.

I have now started a new job with the project management team at the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, which I am really excited about and to put into practice some of the transferable skills that I have gained during my time volunteering.

The John Muir Trust is a vitally important charity for protecting wild places, connecting people with nature. Fighting climate change and biodiversity loss using nature-based solutions including peatland and native woodland restoration for carbon sequestration. As well as advocating for improved land management practices in Scotland.

These reasons and others, mean that the John Muir Trust is an inspiring organisation to volunteer with. If you are passionate about wild places and want to make a difference then this is one of the best organisation to volunteer with.