Will you help us safeguard Ben Lawers for the next 75 years and beyond?
This much-loved National Nature Reserve is one of the most important mountain landscapes in the country, It’s home to seven Munros, rare Arctic–alpine plants found almost nowhere else in the UK, and fragile upland habitats that shelter birds, mammals, and invertebrates. From centuries-old hill paths to traces of past communities on the lower slopes, Ben Lawers is a place where natural and cultural history are tightly woven together.
It’s essential that this living landscape is protected so future generations can experience it.
A living laboratory
Ben Lawers doesn’t just matter to climbers ticking off a Munro list. As a National Nature Reserve cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, it’s a cornerstone of our conservation work: a living laboratory for climate research, a refuge for endangered species, and a place where people can connect with Scotland’s wild mountain heritage.
For more than three decades, Property Manager Helen Cole and her team have been caring for over 4,500 hectares of precious ground here – from internationally important plant communities to peatlands that help lock away carbon and slow the impacts of climate change.
Environmental Impacts
But this extraordinary place is under pressure.
Years of heavier rainfall, more frequent extreme weather, and increased footfall on the hill have taken a toll. Upland paths are eroding and widening, fragile plants are being damaged, and water run-off is scouring the slopes. Peatlands and soils that should be quietly storing carbon and supporting rare habitats are instead being washed away.
These changes don’t just affect the landscape. They impact the wildlife that depends on specialist mountain habitats – and the experience of every walker who comes to Ben Lawers hoping to find a sense of wonder on the hill.
We Need to Act Now
We need to act now so Ben Lawers can continue to thrive for the next 75 years — and beyond.
Here’s what your generosity will make possible:
- Protect rare species by expanding alpine habitat for threatened plants like snow gentian and alpine forget-me-not.
- Restore peatlands so these vital carbon stores can capture emissions and stabilize the mountain’s ecosystem.
- Improve visitor access by maintaining footpaths that prevent erosion and balance public enjoyment with protection of the land.
- Empower the next generation through volunteer and education programs that give future conservationists the skills to care for Scotland’s wild places.
In honor of the 75th anniversary of the National Trust for Scotland’s acquisition of Ben Lawers, we’ve set a goal of raising $75,000 to fund this year’s conservation work. Thanks to a dollar-for-dollar match from the Jeniam Foundation, your gift will go twice as far.
Can we count on your support to protect Ben Lawers for generations to come?
75 More Years of Wild Wonder
Ben Lawers is more than a beautiful viewpoint – it’s a globally important mountain environment and a touchstone for everyone who loves Scotland’s wild places.
As you think about your year-end giving, please consider supporting the ongoing care of Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve. Your tax-deductible gift will help safeguard rare species, repair and protect precious upland habitats, and ensure that this iconic hill remains a place of inspiration, challenge, and joy for all who climb it.
Please join us in making a gift today to protect Ben Lawers.