Case Study: Inspiring Visitors to Restore the Highlands
Client: National Trust for Scotland (NTS)
Project: Visitor-Facing Educational Film
Location: Glencoe Visitor Centre, Scottish Highlands
Overview
The National Trust for Scotland asked us to create an accessible, educational film to introduce visitors at the Glencoe Visitor Centre to the Seed Islands restoration project. The aim was to help the public understand what the project is, why it matters, and how they can play an active role — especially through volunteering.
We produced a concise, visitor-friendly video designed to communicate complex ecological ideas in a simple, engaging, and visually rich format suitable for use on-site and across NTS channels.
The Client & The Challenge
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) plays a vital role in caring for Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, with Glencoe one of its most visited sites. With the launch of the Seed Islands project, NTS needed an effective way to explain the restoration work to visitors who may be unfamiliar with the environmental history of the Glen.
The challenge was twofold:
Translate a long-term, highly technical woodland regeneration method into a story that any visitor — from families to hikers — could understand within a few minutes.
Motivate people to get involved, helping NTS recruit volunteers for sapling care, maintenance, and wider support.
The film needed to feel informative, welcoming, and inspiring, while fitting seamlessly into the visitor centre experience.
Objectives & Strategy
Working with NTS, we defined a set of creative goals:
Explain the Seed Islands project clearly and simply
Show the impact of overgrazing and the vital need for intervention
Highlight the practical steps involved in establishing Seed Islands
Spotlight the role of volunteers and how visitors can help
Use compelling visuals of the Glencoe landscape to create emotional connection
Deliver a format suitable for looping in a visitor centre environment
We chose a storytelling style that blended on-location filming, enthusiastic explanations from NTS staff, and approachable narration to make ecological restoration feel tangible and achievable.
What We Delivered
Visitor-Facing Educational Video
A clear, engaging film created specifically for the Glencoe Visitor Centre. This piece explains the Seed Islands concept, demonstrates the work being done on the ground, and highlights the long-term goal: restoring native woodland over the next 200 years.
Volunteer Call-to-Action
The film ends with a straightforward, motivating request for volunteers, giving visitors an immediate sense of how they can support the restoration effort — whether through hands-on involvement, advocacy, or continued engagement with NTS conservation work.
Location-Specific Storytelling
We tailored the content to resonate with people who have just explored or are about to explore the Glen, connecting the project directly to the landscapes outside the visitor centre’s doors.
Early Response & Future Impact
The film is being prepared for use within the Glencoe Visitor Centre and across NTS digital channels. While public-facing metrics are not yet available, early internal feedback highlights its clarity, accessibility, and value as a volunteer recruitment tool.
Once the film is officially launched, this case study will be updated with:
Visitor engagement
Volunteer sign-up data
Staff feedback
Usage across other NTS sites or platforms
Conclusion
This project demonstrates how thoughtful educational storytelling can help conservation organisations transform visitor curiosity into meaningful action. By simplifying the Seed Islands process and highlighting the urgent need for help, the film gives NTS a powerful tool for inspiring volunteers and deepening public understanding of the challenges facing the Highlands.
It also reinforces our commitment to creating accessible, engaging content that supports long-term environmental stewardship through clear communication and strong visual narrative.
