Make your own miniature nature reserve

We based ours on Glencoe, complete with rocky peaks, pine forests and a lochan.

What you’ll need

• A fairly deep tray – such as an old potting tray or a window box

• Compost

• An old plastic tub/yoghurt pot

• Selection of foraged items

• Seeds (if planting)

Step-by-step instructions

1. Spread some compost across the base of the tray. If your tray is very deep, put a layer of small stones down first for drainage, then add the compost.

2. For the pond/lochan, clear an area big enough to insert the plastic tub. Fill it with water.

3. Plant some seeds or bulbs if you have any. We used pine cones to represent the ancient woodlands. Our wildflower seeds were also sown, and we’ll keep watering the tray until they sprout later in the year.

4. Add interesting features. We used sea glass for the River Coe, and rocks and moss to represent the Munros that surround the glen.