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Intro | Tour info | Dates and Price | Getting there | Links | Booking Info | Photographs
This year I discovered a jewel. Set amid the wildest hills of Scotland is a place and a plan that's truly inspirational.
The Alladale Wilderness Reserve is located one hour north of Inverness in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. On the doorstep of this 23,000 acre wonderland sits Alladale Lodge - a luxury home offering the pure charm of Scotland, first class service from an incredibly warm staff, and a traditional menu to make your mouth water.
This tailor-designed excursion is the best combination of Scottish wilderness and culture that you can imagine - all from the luxury of a lodge that will become our group's exclusive home for a week. I hope you can join me.
More information
There
are few places in western Europe as wild as this one. A fact not lost on
Alladale's visionary owner Paul Lister. I first heard about Alladale when news
of his mission to 'Restore Nature's Balance' came to my attention. By bringing
back Scots pine forests and reintroducing native wildlife to a huge fenced
section of the Scottish estate, Paul wants to reinvigorate both the ecosystem and
the economy of the Highlands.
This grand conservation plan has already started with the reintroduction of wild boar, soon to be followed by moose. In the years to come they will be joined by wolves, Eurasian lynx, and brown bear, all of which were once an important part of this wild and magical landscape. It's a story so exciting that the renowned BBC Natural History Unit is filming the project as it evolves. During your trip to Alladale you will experience the plan as it unfolds, and you will have the opportunity to meet the world-class wildlife specialists who are dedicated to making this dream a reality.
Paul invited me to visit Alladale in November 2006 - to check out his wildlife conservation plans and get to know the estate. While there, I became very excited about the opportunity to share this place with others. So, here we are - my plan is to offer the best of everything that the wilderness and culture of Scotland has.
See it as a relaxing retreat, or an opportunity for invigorating adventure - our flexible itinerary lets you choose the pace.
Alladale and the Scottish Experience
It's
difficult to know where to begin when describing the features of Alladale, and
the Scottish Experience that awaits you. We have created a wonderful week that
will take in all that the Highlands and Northwest coast have to offer, at a time
of the year when daylight lasts until 10.30pm allowing you to make the most of
every moment.
Alladale's 14 resident staff and top chef will make your "home from home" stay relaxing and comfortable, and the Reserve provides the ideal place to enjoy activities such as: pony trekking, salmon and trout fishing, deer stalking, clay pigeon shooting, guided 4x4 safaris, mountain biking & hiking. Alladale also has a fully equipped gym, sauna, spa, boardroom and billiard room.
Your trip includes:
Guided hikes with the experienced rangers of Alladale - Alladale has a 23,000 acre back yard waiting to be explored (solo, or escorted - the choice is yours). Alternatively, the complementary mountain bikes offer a fun way to get around the numerous trailed glens - visit the beautiful Glencalvie Waterfalls, Croik Church (a local site of historical significance), local croft ruins through Glen Alladale, and other local features.
A trip to the famous Dunrobin Castle and Gardens (parts of which date back to the 1200s), plus excursions to other nearby castles. More castle information.
An opportunity to participate in the ear-tagging of some newborn red deer calves, literally only a few hours old. This sensitively conducted process involves the gentle lifting of a "planted" (hidden by its mother) calf and the application of an ear tag which will allow researchers to monitor movement patterns and other behaviors.
A
two day/one night trip to the famous bird colonies of Handa Island on the
Northwest coast, escorted by myself and a renowned local wildlife and history guide.
Followed by a classic dinner of fish and chips and some time to absorb the
atmosphere and gift shops of Ullapool, a charming little fishing town.
A tour of the Glenmorangie Whisky Distillery. More distillery information.
A four hour falconry display. The ancient craft of falconry makes for a stunning display on the beautiful Alladale Wilderness Reserve.
A "Blessing of the Haggis" dinner complete with Scottish piper.
A Scottish Ceilidh (dance) with traditional highland band. We'll pull the furniture aside and have some fun! This one is enjoyed as much by the wonderful Alladale staff as anyone else!
Entertaining audio-visual presentations by Paul Lister and Alladale staff. Sit back with a glass of finest Scotch and enjoy presentations about the incredible wildlife conservation work that is going on at Alladale.
Twenty-five complementary clay pigeon skeets.
Price also includes:
return transportation from Inverness Airport to Alladale Lodge.
Six nights at Alladale Lodge, and one (mid-trip) night in an Ullapool hotel during our Northwest coast visit.
All meals at Alladale Lodge and in Ullapool.
Countless
landscape and wildlife photography opportunities await you at
Alladale. The dramatic scenery is truly unique - lone pines stand proud amid
a wild, heather-covered landscape, and species such as red deer, pine
marten, and otter are commonly seen. You may also be lucky enough to see
golden eagle, red fox, roe deer, badger, peregrine falcon and osprey. Guests
are most welcome to explore and photograph landscape and wildlife scenes
wherever they wish. More
wildlife information.
Of course, it goes without saying that this region of Scotland is a golfer's dream. Local courses include the famous Royal Dornock Championship links course ranked 15th in the world's top 100. We will be happy to transport you to selected local courses for your enjoyment. Click here for more information.
Price per person for 7 days/6 nights: $3499* (US Dollars). Includes all activities and features listed above. Does not include air fare.
50% deposit due at time of booking.
All participants are strongly urged to purchase travel protection insurance.
A Release and Assumption of Risk form must be signed by each participant prior to the commencement of the trip. Participation by any trip member will be declined in absence of the signed release of liability form, with no trip fee refund. No modification to the terms of the Release and Assumption of Risk form will be accepted.
*Alladale Lodge rooms are double-occupancy. A single room supplement will be charged for individuals traveling alone.
From the USA:
All major airports have air service to London or Manchester, England. Alternatively, flights to Glasgow or Edinburgh are commonly available. Once in London or Manchester, you can fly inexpensively to Inverness where will will pick you up to drive you to Alladale.
You may wish to travel to Edinburgh and add a few days to your itinerary to explore this beautiful historic city.
From Canada:
I often fly to the UK from Vancouver, Canada as special deals are available to Manchester, London, and Glasgow with charter companies such as Zoom Airlines.
A pleasant option from travel from London to Inverness is the train. I met a couple at Alladale who really enjoyed the experience of first rate service and comfort with Virgin Trains.
Alladale Wilderness Lodge and Reserve
More Handa Island Wildlife Reserve
Booking, and additional information
For more information, please email me at chrismorgan@insightwildlife.com or feel free to call me at my office: USA 360 734 6060
Above: Alladale Lodge's drawing room overlooking the beautiful highlands
Above: Alladale's resident highland ponies - yours to enjoy while at the lodge
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Above: The view from Alladale Lodge's drawing room
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Above: Restoring nature's balance, by encouraging growth of the beautiful Scots pine forests
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Above: Magical streams feed life in the highlands
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Above: Alladale's sister lodge, set in one of the wildest locations of the reserve
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