Our Story
Operation Cairngorms was founded by a team of British Army veterans with a clear mission: to provide transformative wilderness-based workshops, courses, and retreats that support mental and physical well-being.
The project began with Stu and Pip, a husband-and-wife team with over 30 years of combined military service and operational experience in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. After losing a friend to suicide, Stu retrained as a bushcraft instructor to create opportunities for others to reconnect, rebuild resilience, and find strength in nature.
Pip’s personal battle with postnatal depression inspired her to become a forest therapy practitioner, using nature as a tool for healing and growth.
Together, they transformed their 50-acre woodland near the Cairngorms National Park into a safe and supportive environment for Veterans, emergency service workers, and their families to thrive.
Today, Operation Cairngorms is much more than their story—it’s a growing organization dedicated to empowering individuals through the power of the outdoors.
The People Behind Operation Cairngorms
Founders
Stu Wright
Founder and Lead Instructor
Stu is a British Army Veteran with 12 years of service in the Royal Dragoon Guards, bringing operational experience from both Iraq and Afghanistan. After retraining as an outdoor and bushcraft instructor, Stu now leads the hands-on workshops, retreats, and courses at Operation Cairngorms. Passionate about using nature to build resilience, he dedicates his time to empowering others through outdoor skills and transformative experiences.
Pip Delamere-Wright
Co-Founder and Forest Therapy Practitioner
Pip, the UK’s first female Army Commando, has over 18 years of military service and operational tours in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Her personal journey overcoming postnatal depression inspired her to retrain as a forest therapy practitioner. Using her unique combination of military discipline and therapeutic skills, Pip helps participants improve their mental and physical well-being through meaningful connections with nature.
Core Team
Derek Hunter
Outreach Coordinator
A Veteran with firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by those in uniform, Derek ensures that Operation Cairngorms reaches those who need its programs most. His role is vital in connecting Veterans, emergency service workers, and their families to the opportunities we offer.
Karl Steadman
Functional Fitness team Lead - Project Momentum
With strong military ties in his family, Karl brings years of experience in functional fitness and resilience training. Leading Project Momentum, he helps participants build physical and mental strength through outdoor-focused fitness programs.
Supporters and patrons
“Operation Cairngorms is proud to be supported by individuals and organizations who share our vision for resilience and transformation through nature.”
Liz McConaghy
Patron
Liz Mcconaghy is an ex-RAF Chinook crewmember who has deployed worldwide with the CH47 fleet, including to Iraq and Afghanistan. Part of her role during these conflicts was the MERT medical recovery aircraft for injured soldiers. In Liz’s words: ‘ When I left the military I suffered massively with lack of Identity and purpose. PTSD from my time Operating on the MERT soon caught up with me and in 2020 I took a huge overdose. The recovery journey coming through my PTSD has been the hardest battle I’ve ever fought but I’m stronger because of it. The work Op Cairngorm are doing to help other Veterans connect with nature and find purpose again is so important. Bringing together people with shared experiences to help one another and form a new tribe and identity.’
Our Objectives
Where are we located?
© Operation Cairngorms 2025 | All Rights Reserved
info@opcairngorms.org
Operation Cairngorms CIC No. SC717519
Smiddyhill, Tarland, Aboyne AB34 4XP