This year's Big Picture Conference will bring together a diverse community of people united by a shared commitment to nature recovery. Our exciting lineup of speakers will cover a range of topics centered around two key themes: ‘Rewilding with people and place’ and ‘Coexistence in rewilded landscapes’. Join us for an informative and inspiring day of presentations, learning opportunities and rewilding discussion.
Discounted early bird tickets are available exclusively to our Big Picture Community from Tuesday 19 May. Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 9 June.
Join the conversation online using #BigPictureConference
SPEAKERS
The first of our 2026 speakers have now been annouced:
KEYNOTE
Megan McCubbin is a wildlife presenter, zoologist and all-round nature enthusiast with a huge passion for rewilding and bringing the UK's wild spaces back to life. From filming wildlife to championing campaigns on habitat restoration and species recovery, Megan loves showing how rewilding can be hopeful, exciting, and full of adventure. Expect stories from the field, plenty of enthusiasm for Scotland’s incredible landscapes and wildlife, and a fresh take on how we can help nature by helping ourselves.
Megan McCubbin Lessons from the past, hopes for the future
Dr Mairi McFadyen is an ethnologist, researcher and creative practitioner working at the intersection of arts, culture and ecology. Contributing to emerging policy on nature recovery, her work explores how cultural heritage – placenames, traditional knowledge, music and song – can support lasting stewardship. Drawing on her work with the Findhorn Watershed Initiative and other community-rooted projects, Mairi makes the case that nature restoration is as much a cultural task as it is ecological.
Mairi McFadyen Cultural heritage, creativity and community
Steve Micklewright is CEO of Trees for Life, founder Convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, and a member of the Lynx to Scotland Leadership Team. Under his leadership, Trees for Life has transformed into a charity focused entirely on rewilding the Scottish Highlands. In this session, Steve will outline the work of the Lynx to Scotland project and share the next steps following recent local consultations.
Steve Micklewright Lynx in Scotland: where are we now?
Amy Duthie has worked in international conservation and development for 20 years, and is currently Head of Upscaling at Rewilding Europe. She's on a mission: if we want more wildlife in our lives, we need to find ways for people to live well alongside it. In this session Amy will present new guidance and resources to help communities navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with returning wildlife, drawing on experience from across Europe.
Amy Duthie Living well with wildlife
Chantal Lyons is a science communicator and author of the award-winning Groundbreakers: The Return of Britain's Wild Boar, which charts the changes that boar have conjured in ecosystems and communities wherever the species has rewilded itself in Britain. Now, with boar numbers rising in Scotland and the shadow of African Swine Fever on the horizon, the time has come to again ask: how ready are we for wildness?
Chantal Lyons Breaking ground (and rules) with wild boar
With more inspiring speakers to be revealed soon!
LUNCHTIME BREAKOUT SESSIONS
After a break to grab lunch and network, join us for one of our 30-minute breakout sessions. These breakouts are designed to offer a closer look at specific rewilding topics. Spaces for each session are strictly limited and must be selected when booking your ticket.
An opportunity to explore how best to measure rewilding progress to evidence the impact of your project. Sara manages Rewilding Britain’s Rewilding Network and will present their recently published Rewilding Monitoring Framework. Sara will be joined by Aidan of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture's Northwoods Rewilding Network to discuss the importance of integrating social, economic and ecological data to capture the full spectrum of outcomes from our rewilding landscapes.
MEASURING REWILDING: ECOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DATA With Aidan Maccormick and Sara King
Since first meeting at university, Cally and Finn have worked together on various projects, including citizen science data collection for reptile species such as sea snakes and slow-worms. They currently co-ordinate the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust's Lothian Great Crested Newt survey. During this session, we will explore how to deliver rewilding techniques for frogs and lizards – species that are often overlooked.
REWILDING YOUR SPACE FOR FROGS AND LIZARDS With Cally Ullman-Smith and Finn McElrue-Inch
Hosted by SCOTLAND: The Big Picture's Jane Morris, this session explores diverse routes into rewilding. Hear from Munro Kerr, who co-founded Alba Fiadhaich after studying Animal Biology and Conservation, and Fraser Murray, who followed a varied career path to become Community Engagement Officer for Bright Green Nature and the Young Rewilders Forum. Join us for an in-depth look at real-world journeys and a live Q&A to help inspire your own rewilding future.
CAREERS IN REWILDING: JUMPSTART YOUR FUTURE With Jane Morris, Munro Kerr and Fraser Murray
More details coming soon...
ACCESSIBLE NATURE FINANCE FOR REWILDING With Richard Smith, Kathleen Slaney, Emily Johns and Dan Bass
Join Kate Holl – woodland advisor with NatureScot for almost 40 years and joint author of guidance on Woodland HIA and Ground Flora Restoration – as she shares insights gained from exploring woodlands in other NE Atlantic bioregion countries less impacted by herbivores than here in Scotland. We'll explore their diverse, dynamic understory and ground flora, and discuss how we can bring some of this richness back to our own woods.
WHAT’S MISSING FROM OUR WOODS? LET'S TALK ABOUT THE UNDER-STORY With Kate Holl
Join Kirsten Brewster, Species Recovery Lead at SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, for a restorative walk to the River Tay to discuss the critical role of river systems in restoring natural processes within urban landscapes. As we explore, we’ll look for signs of key resident species, such as beaver and osprey.
WALK | REWILDING IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT: THE IMPORTANCE OF RIVERS With Kirsten Brewster
VENUE
Perth Concert Hall
Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ
Perth Concert Hall is an accessible, award-winning, contemporary entertainment hub in the heart of the city. The Big Picture Conference will take place in the large, modern auditorium, with state-of-the-art visuals and sound. Outside of the main theatre, an airy glass foyer will be home to the Rewilding Market and interval refreshments, providing a superb space for meeting and mingling. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the building, excellent transport links and secure parking nearby (Kinnoull Street Multi Storey Car Park).
FOOD & DRINK
For lunch, soup with sandwich and mini roll platters, fruit pots, traybakes and fruit juice, is available to purchase alongside your ticket – please let us know any other dietary requirements when booking. Alternatively, if you’d rather a change of scenery at lunch time, there are other eateries and shops within easy walking distance of the venue.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be served on arrival and during the afternoon break, which is included in the price of your ticket.
The venue’s deli counter will be open, selling hot and cold drinks and snacks, if you would like anything extra.
ACCOMMODATION
A range of local accommodation is available nearby, including the Premier Inn, right next door to the venue, and The Salutation Hotel and The Mercure within walking distance.
SPONSORS
We are grateful to the following organisations who are making this year's event possible. You can visit our sponsors throughout the event in our Rewilding Market, where they will host an array of stalls and exhibition stands.
