Alladale Brochure

ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE

E X P EERXIPEENRCIEE N&CEEX &P LEOXRPEL O R E
THE THHEEARHTEOARF TTHOFE THHIGEHHLIAGNHDLSANDS

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Alladale Wilderness Reserve

Alladale Wilderness Reserve’s 100 square kilometres of rugged mountains,
forests, rivers and lochs are located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands,
just an hour drive north of Inverness. Our position at the narrowest part

of Great Britain, and on the eastern side of the watershed, allows us
to enjoy our own micro-climate; and above average sunny, clear and

rain-free days.
Whilst Alladale’s re-wilding project has been well publicised over the

past decade, our four lodges offer a variety of unparalleled
experiences that allow guests to unwind and relax in a space more akin
to your own home than a hotel. In addition to a multitude of activities
available on the Reserve, the north of Scotland offers a host of incredible day
trips; from exploring turquoise waters and golden beaches to historic castles,

world famous whiskey distilleries and a variety of golf courses.
Our friendly, professional hospitality and ranger teams will

do everything possible to ensure your stay is special and tailored
to your needs. Visiting Alladale directly contributes to the conservation,

wildlife and educational projects on and around the Reserve.
We look forward to welcoming you very soon.
My best wishes,

PAUL LISTER

Alladale Wilderness Reserve



CONTENTS ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE

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ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE
An introduction to the Reserve; the landscape,
accommodation, and conservation of the environment.

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EXPERIENCE ALLADALE
Epic landscapes, rivers, mountains and glens;
over 100 square kilometres of the Scottish Highlands
for guests to explore.

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REWILD YOURSELF
Escape and be inspired; the fundamentals of our invitation
for you to visit the Reserve and be at one with the land.

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STAYING AT ALLADALE
Four lodges, offering flexible accommodation amidst truly
epic landscapes and scenery; each a home-away-from-home.

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CONSERVATION & W ILDLIFE
Alladale’s long ongoing commitment to reforestation
and restoration of the Highlands.

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THE RESERVE
An at-a-glance map of the Reserve and key points of interest.

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ACCOMMODATION
Descriptions and specifications of the Alladale Lodge,
Eagle’s Crag, Ghillie’s Rest and Deanich Lodge.

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HOW TO FIND US
Directions to Alladale Wilderness Reserve
and nearby places of interest.



AN INTRODUCTION ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE

EXPERIENCE ALLADALE affordable and realistic, and experience the Reserve and its
- each option ideally suited to surrounding areas.
The Highlands of Scotland are differing needs and levels In the Highlands, land which
far more than just an area of of budget. was once covered by ancient
immense and fabulous beauty, The Reserve’s f lagship Caledonian forests for as far
it is also one of the UK’s last accommodation, the Alladale as the eye could see has been
remaining wildernesses; and Lodge, is an eminently degraded across thousands
in their quest to enjoy greater comfortable Victorian property of years due to the actions of
levels of experience, travellers suitable for up to 14 guests. man. We are left today with
are increasingly selecting the It is ideal for family gatherings the heather and gorse that has
north of Scotland as their first or corporate retreats, and come to epitomise much of the
choice destination. Alladale provides all the facilities one uplands; and with only 1% of
Wilderness Reserve in the heart might expect from such a the wild woods remaining, the
of the Highlands, awe-inspiring stunning home-away-from- natural balance of this unique
in every respect, is uniquely home. Deanich Lodge, deep ecosystem has been lost. Swelling
placed to endow visitors with in Glen Mor, is also suited for populations of browsing deer
a sense of wonder. larger parties; including school and grazing sheep have made it
groups and ‘next generation difficult for new trees to establish
Whether you might be an retreats’ seeking to pursue themselves. At Alladale though
ardent traveller, on the lookout the broad range of activities we have set out to reverse the
for the most rewarding fitness or special interests that the process and return the land to its
retreat, keen to enjoy a few days Reserve has to offer. And the former natural splendor.
hill walking, deer stalking, well appointed Ghillie’s Rest Already, the results are plain
or just looking to escape and and Eagle’s Crag, lovingly to see. Saplings and young
enjoy the privacy of a truly wild restored alongside the river trees are evident on almost
place, there simply couldn’t be Alladale, offer two and three every hillside, and the variety
a more perfect place to visit bedroom accommodation; of wildlife on the Reserve
than the Alladale Wilderness providing impressively rustic increases year-on-year as a direct
Reserve. There is a variety of retreats from which families consequence of our work.
accommodation across the and smaller groups can
Reserve, at rates that are both

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AN INTRODUCTION At Alladale you can be as active or as inactive as
you might like, you can enjoy an increasingly rare
opportunity to be genuinely at one with nature,
or share the experience with your closest friends.

In the last 10 years more REWILD YOURSELF and step out in to the
than 850,000 new trees have - landscape, to embark on
been planted at Alladale – Above all though, at Alladale a strident hike, to climb
many of which are now well you can be as active or as the hills, to explore and to
established and offering inactive as you might like, experience, will – as we know
a striking glimpse of what you can enjoy an increasingly from the feedback we regularly
the Reserve will look like in rare opportunity to be receive – far exceed your
years to come. Other genuinely at one with nature, greatest expectations.
projects supported by leading or share the experience with
conservationists, universities, your closest friends. It is a Alladale offers everything and
and foundations dedicated humbling experience to be more for larger parties too.
to conservation and the stood atop one of the Reserve’s Whether you might wish to
environment, are focused many hills, gazing across host your preferred style of
towards re-establishing a mountain loch, aware that fitness retreat on the Reserve,
a better balance for the there may not be another whether you’re a part of a
Reserve’s diverse wildlife, person for miles in any special interest group – perhaps
and also the reintroduction direction; enjoying the sense keen to spend the week with
of species too long absent that you are a part of it all. camera or fishing rod for
from these shores. example – Alladale has all that
At Alladale we believe that This really is the ideal retreat you might need to make this
whilst the often irreplaceable and whether it’s for a chance the perfect destination for you
benefits of wild places to just relax and rejuvenate, and for your guests.
are numerous, perhaps the or to revitalise your body as
greatest and most intangible much as your mind, Alladale STAYING AT ALLADALE
benefit of a wilderness is not Wilderness Reserve is simply -
a measure of its biodiversity, very very special. Scenery such Set amongst beautiful and wild
or its economic value, but as this is always inspiring and surroundings, the four lodges
the personal satisfaction just to be there, just to breathe on the Alladale Wilderness
an individual can gain from the clean mountain air, is for Reserve have each been
connecting with it. many, more than enough. designed to provide a perfect
But to take a deep breath home for the duration of your stay.

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ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE

Each has its own unique teem with trout and rare arctic of reforesting the Reserve,
identity whilst sharing warmth, char. There’s also Alladale’s restoring its native species
comfort, and attention-to- own herd of Highland cattle and, above all, education –
detail that is common to all. which seem just as natural a a fundamental building-block
The lodges provide the perfect part of the landscape as their of the conservation process.
base from which visitors many wild counterparts. We are always proud to
can step outside and explore, The Reserve is also home to introduce visitors to our work
or take time out to relax a fascinating mix of plant life and, as a direct consequence
and unwind. too – including rare orchids, of your visit, benefit from the
a broad variety of lichens, contribution you make to the
C O N S E RVAT I O N and even delicious mountain process of restoring this part
- fruits – and opportunities of the Highlands.
It’s not all about the landscape to encounter the unexpected All that’s left is to welcome
though, epic as it is, or the abound in every glen and on you to Alladale, and whether
flexible mix of accommodation every hillside. you’re a first time visitor
we can offer. We would like With regards to flora and to the Highlands, or simply
to share our story with you fauna, the complexities of the keen to ensure that you
too, and in this respect ecosystem and the diversity experience all that the Reserve
Alladale really is a truly unique of its wildlife, Alladale is has to offer, please do contact
Highland destination. It’s not clearly a very special place; us and allow us to help you
just the public interest in our and this focus towards to plan your itinerary. It is
ongoing quest to reintroduce conservation projects has been a place and a project that
wolves and bears to the hills the result of the Reserve’s we are immensely proud of,
that were once their home, the long-standing relationship with and we are more than happy
Alladale Wilderness Reserve The European Nature Trust to offer you our hospitality and
is already rich in wildlife for (TENT). share with you our progress
example; red and roe deer are At Alladale, the goals of the in returning this part of
found here, there are pine The European Nature Trust are Scotland to what it once was
marten, black grouse and simple; to continue the process and again can be.
ptarmigan, golden eagles,
the mountain lochs and rivers

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Experience Alladale

‘In wildness is the preservation of the World.’

HENRY DAVID THOREAU
Essayist, poet, philosopher and naturalist

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Alladale, the perfect combination of beautiful
scenery and epic open spaces.

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Take a deep breath, enjoy fresh air,
climb the hills of Alladale Wilderness Reserve
and be at one with the environment.

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ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE
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Rewild Yourself

‘Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away,
once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods.

Wash your spirit clean.’

JOHN MUIR
Scottish naturalist, author, environmental philosopher

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The opportunity to indulge your passions
and interests, to lose yourself and to find yourself,

on the hillsides of the Scottish Highlands.

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100 square kilometres available for you
to hike across, and probably not another person
for as far as the eye can see.

ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE

Lochs teeming with mountain trout and so many other opportunities
to feed upon the fruits of the land; prepared by your own chef at the

Alladale Lodge or even cooked outdoors over an open fire.

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Wild swimming, a day fly fishing up on the lochs, mountain biking
along the glens, or some of the most rewarding stalking Scotland has to offer...

...every possible outdoor pursuit can be catered for.

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III

Staying at Alladale

‘Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician
ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration.’

CHARLES DICKENS
Writer and social critic

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The Alladale Lodge, set amidst rugged hillsides,
Highland woodlands, and all the wildlife native
to the area, offers privacy and relaxation alongside
endless opportunities to explore.



Eminently comfortable, traditionally Scottish; with seven double bedrooms
the Alladale Lodge is the perfect Highlands home-away-from-home
for you and your guests.

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Early morning; the view at daybreak from
Ghillie’s Rest along the River Alladale.

ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE

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Room aplenty in Eagle’s Crag for families or groups of friends;
an intimate getaway in the heart of the Reserve.

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Ghillie’s Rest; the smallest of Alladale’s lodges is ideal
for a romantic break and perfect for a young family.



Even our smallest lodge has its own galley kitchen,
dining area and, at the end of the day, all the comfort you might

wish for in front of a roaring log fire.

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Deanich Lodge, deep in the heart of the Reserve;
perfect for the ultimate off-grid experience and just
about as ‘away from it all’ as it is possible to be.

ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE

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Ideal for school parties and special interest groups,
Deanich Lodge is available to offer more flexible accommodation

for a broader mix of possible experiences.

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Conservation & Wildlife

‘A true conservationist is an individual who knows that the world
is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.’

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON
Ornithologist, naturalist and painter, known for his extensive

studies depicting birds in their natural habitat

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Opportunities for watching wildlife abound all across the Reserve.
The badger hide alongside the River Carron in Glen Mor offers the
perfect excuse to be up and out before daybreak.



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All across the Reserve new saplings of Caledonian pine, rowan and birch begin
to restore the forests of the Highlands, and the hillsides are rich enough
in flora to satisfy the interests of even the most ardent naturalist.

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Alladale Wilderness Reserve is home to the
captive breeding programme for the Scottish wildcat,
the Highland’s most iconic species.