Scottish Highlands, Scotland
Hope Lodge
A luxury Scottish Highlands retreat where the wilderness meets the sea
Set in a 19th-century hunting lodge, Hope Lodge in Scotland is a luxury wilderness retreat in Sutherland, at the northern tip of the Scottish Highlands. It’s part of a vast estate operated by Scottish conservation organisation WildLand, which focuses on peatland restoration and native tree planting.
Its buildings are spread throughout dense woodland that stretches down to the dune-backed coast. Some rooms overlook Loch Hope and have views of Ben Hope, the most northerly of Scotland’s Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet). Decor is warm and earthy with dark wood furniture, nature-inspired art and layered textures of raffia and tufted wool.
Common spaces include a cosy living area, the Den, and the Conservatory, restaurant and dining room, which has floor-to-ceiling windows framing mountain views. The entire estate, which has seven rooms, a standalone, glass-fronted cabin and two self-catering lochside cottages, can also be booked out for exclusive use.
Activities are both bespoke and rooted in nature, with hosts arranging stand-up paddleboarding along the coast, conservation walks and trips to wild swimming spots. You can also trek in the mountains, join foraging trips and end days stargazing under inky skies, accompanied by a storyteller sharing Highland folklore.
Highlights
Book the luxury An Cala cabin, whose glass doors open onto a high-perched terrace for views over the loch and to Ben Hope
Head out with the WildLand team to help plant trees and take guided walks to learn about restoration work here
Go paddleboarding in clear, green-tinted waters off the coast of Sutherland, whose pale sandy beaches are backed by dunes
Dine on seasonally driven dishes made with ingredients grown, foraged and preserved here, or take a picnic into the wild
Take a guided waterfall hike and dip in 'secret' swimming spots, ending with a sauna at the lodge
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Places to combine Hope Lodge with
Scottish Highlands
Alladale Wilderness Reserve sits right in the heart of the Highlands, an hour north of Inverness and with views of the sea to the east and west from its highest point.
The reserve covers some 100 square kilometres of forking glen, rugged mountains, woodland, rivers and hill lochs. And there is a vision behind the beauty. Alladale is a pioneering place that leads the way in the rewilding movement, restoring a once overgrazed stalking estate to a diverse landscape with over 850,000 saplings planted, and protecting native wildlife such as pine marten, black grouse and golden eagles alongside free roaming Highland cattle and deer.
You can learn all about this pioneering effort on guided walks and drives with expert guides, perhaps visiting the Scottish wildcat project to catch a glimpse of one of the world’s rarest felines. It’s also a place to immerse yourself in wilderness, whether cycling trails on mountain bikes, wild swimming in the cool river or hiking up to the mountain lochs to fish. Outside the reserve, the north of Scotland offers a host of incredible day trips with the west coast’s incredible beaches, a collection of historic castles, world famous whiskey distilleries and fine golf courses all within reach.
There are three homely accommodation options here. Down in the valley are two private cottages, Ghillie’s Rest and Eagle’s Crag. The former can sleep up to four people in its two bedrooms, but it is also well suited to couples. Eagle’s Crag is ideal for friends and families, with two double bedrooms and an attic room meaning up to eight people can sleep here. Each cottage has its own kitchen and catering options are entirely flexible.
For larger groups of up to 14, there is the exclusive use Main Lodge, an old Victorian manor with incredible views down the glen. Available fully catered and with huge fire-warmed living areas, a gym, billiard room and dining room, this is the place to experience life as a laird.
