Corrour
The Corrour and University of St鈥疉ndrews partnership is a long鈥憈erm collaboration advancing landscape鈥憇cale ecological restoration, nature鈥慴ased climate solutions, and interdisciplinary research and teaching. Together, Corrour and the University are creating a living laboratory in the Scottish Highlands that connects science, land management and education to deliver real鈥憌orld impact.
The partnership is a core part of the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy and contributes directly to the , supporting the University’s commitment to be net zero by 2035 through high鈥慽ntegrity woodland and peatland restoration projects.
What the partnership is delivering
Corrour is a 57,000鈥慳cre upland estate near Fort William with a long history of pioneering, data鈥憀ed land management. Through the partnership, Corrour provides a landscape where University researchers and students can work alongside practitioners to:
- restore degraded peatlands and regenerate native woodland
- enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
- develop and test nature鈥慴ased climate solutions
- generate evidence to inform land management and public policy
- create applied learning opportunities for students
This work delivers benefits for climate mitigation, nature recovery, research excellence and rural communities.
Governance and oversight
The partnership is overseen by a joint Partnership Board, which provides strategic direction, ensures alignment with shared objectives, and reviews proposed projects:
The Partnership Board includes senior representatives from both Corrour and the University, bringing together expertise in land management, conservation, research leadership and sustainability. The Board meets quarterly to consider new research and teaching proposals and review progress.
Current Partnership Board membership
Corrour Estate:
- Charlie Davis, Partnership Lead and Board Chair
- Donald Rowantree, Estate Manager
- Jonny Hughes, Executive Board Member and Chair of Corrour Environmental Committee
- Sarah Watts, Conservation Manager
University of 黑料吃瓜网:
- Professor Gareth Miles, Assistant Vice鈥慞rincipal (Dean of Science)
- Professor Catherine O’Leary, Assistant Vice鈥慞rincipal (Dean of Arts and Divinity)
- Keith Thomason, Sustainability Integration Manager
- Dr Katherine Roucoux, Senior Lecturer, School of Geography and Sustainable Development
- Dr Iain Matthews, Senior Lecturer, School of Biology
- Karen Laing, Director of Sustainability Transformation
The next partnership board meeting is on Friday 29 May 2026.
Proposing a project at Corrour
The partnership actively invites new research and teaching proposals from across the University, spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, technology, policy and interdisciplinary approaches.
Projects can range from undergraduate and postgraduate research to larger faculty鈥憀ed initiatives. Proposals are reviewed by the Partnership Board to assess alignment with the partnership’s shared objectives and the practical realities of delivery at Corrour.
How to get started
Colleagues interested in developing a proposal are encouraged to discuss ideas at an early stage with the partnership team. Initial enquiries and expressions of interest should be directed to Charlie Davis, Partnership Lead and Board Chair, who acts as the first point of contact for proposals.
To submit a proposal please visit the research support webpages.
Open days and visiting Corrour
The partnership regularly hosts open days, briefings and engagement events to introduce colleagues and students to Corrour, showcase current projects, and explore future opportunities. These events may take place both on campus and at Corrour itself.
Open days provide an opportunity to learn about the landscape, ongoing research, governance arrangements and practical considerations for working at Corrour.
Registration for events is managed through University's , with advance booking recommended where spaces are limited.
The next open day is on Wednesday 6 May 2026.
To register your interest in future open days or events, please email sustainable@st-andrews.ac.uk.