Overview
See the Highlands' wild side
Over 90 square kilometres of mountains, forests, lochs and rivers in the heart of northern Scotland, Alladale Wilderness Reserve encompasses the Highlands at their most rugged and romantic.
But look a little closer and you'll see these glens are unlike their neighbours. Years of planting over a million native sapling species have seen the forests that once blanketed the Highlands make an inspiring comeback along with species such as pine marten, black grouse, golden eagles and Scottish wildcat alongside free-roaming Highland cattle and more natural deer numbers.
You can learn all about Alladale's pioneering rewilding story during your stay on guided drives, scenic hikes, fishing trips and mountain bike rides, staying in one of the welcoming cottages or the grand old Victorian lodge.
It's as much about culture as it is wilderness here and you can enjoy lively evenings of Scottish music, hearty feasts and whisky tastings. Some of the oldest distilleries in the country are close by to and you’re also encouraged to join a local guide to discover the region's fascinating heritage.
Facts
At a glance
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Two cottages and seven bedroom lodge
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Flexible catering options
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Sauna
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Gym
Experiences
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![Alladale Wilderness Reserve in Scotland, promoting rewilding and nature conservancy vacations]()
Guided hikes
The reserve has multiple trails to discover, so you can head out on a different hike or walk each day if you’re looking for an active holiday.
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![The Highlands Alladale Scotland 2]()
Mountain biking
There are many miles of gorgeous Highland scenery to explore on a Mantra Pro mountain bike. There are enough bikes for all guests as well as helmets.
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![The Highlands Alladale Scotland Trout]()
Brown trout fishing
Whether you’re an avid fly fisher or keen to give it a try, the reserve offers you great fishing opportunities. With 10 lochs to choose from, it’s no surprise Alladale Wilderness Reserve is known for its world-class trout fishing. The nearest loch from the road is an hour’s climb up the hill. Two of the more remote lochs are suitable only for experienced anglers and are historically stocked with arctic char.
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![The Highlands Alladale Scotland Foraging]()
Foraging
Join a ranger and go in search of the best plants, herbs and mushroom (if in season). You can also spend some time trout fishing at one of the lochs. Then, at the end of the day, the chef will prepare a delicious meal for you, using all of the ingredients you collected.
Community & Culture
Connections to the local communities, people and businesses are one of the things Alladale values most. They source as many of their supplies as they can locally, and ingredients come largely from their own vegetable gardens and nearby producers. All of this feeds into their aim of helping to boost employment in the area, as well as encourage guests to explore the surroundings.
Alladale’s involvement with The Heart of Sutherland enables it to partner with small, family-run businesses and offer you exciting off-site activities like horse-riding and canoeing. Staff are employed from the local communities, and food, drink and building materials are also sourced from nearby. It has also been running the Highland Outdoors Wilderness Learning programme for over a decade, which sees students from local schools enjoying outdoor nature experiences in the reserve.
Conservation
One of the main goals of Alladale is to restore this part of the Highlands back to its former state. Its rewilding programme centres on peat-land restoration, reforestation and reintroducing animal species that once called the area home. It controls deer numbers to let trees establish themselves once more, is re-introducing red squirrels and hosts a breeding project of endangered Scottish wildcats. Alladale has banned commercial stalking as well as salmon fishing in the rivers. You can head out on a tour of the reserve in vehicles, on bicycles or on foot, to learn more about these projects.
Footprint
A 90KW micro hydro generator allows Alladale to overproduce and feed excess electricity back into the grid, reducing the need for fossil fuels. It also has an aquaponics vegetable garden. The peat-land restoration project involves blocking hill drainage systems with about 4,000 dams and planting 920,000 native trees.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
