Alladale’s vast expanse allows guests to experience Scotland in its wildest form. We offer a wide range of activities that allow you to take a deep breath, get closer to the natural world and to reconnect with yourself.
So during your stay at one of our beautiful lodges we’re sure you’ll find an activity both on the Reserve, or further afield, to allow you make the most of the natural beauty in the Scottish Highlands.
“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
JOHN MUIR
Scottish Naturalist, Author, Environmental Philosopher and Advocate of Preservation of Wilderness
Head out into the Reserve to indulge your curiosity, or book guided activities to enrich your stay*. Alladale is full of hidden wonders and open vistas just waiting to be explored. If you need kitting-out for your adventures, our well-stocked boot room has wellington and hiking boots available for all sizes, along with backpacks and water bottles.
* Please note that all outdoor activities on the reserve are seasonal and subject to weather conditions.
Over the years, Alladale’s programme of nature restoration has led to an increase in species that can be observed. Look to the skies for golden eagles, search the stony tops for ptarmigan and hares, whilst keeping your eye out for our native red squirrel and black grouse in the forested glens. This is a landscape in recovery, where wildlife is returning.
Alladale’s hills and glens offer a wild spectacle for guests of all abilities. Wander through the most northerly stand of original Caledonian forest, take a stroll over to the historic Croick Church, or hike up to Glun Liath ridge for an astounding view of both the East and West coasts of Scotland. There are recommended walks for different fitness levels, and Highlands hiking trail maps are always available.
On an expertly guided tour of the Reserve, you’ll venture down both of Alladale’s reforested glens and soak up the stunning views. You’ll learn about the restoration work underway, visiting the reforestation areas and spotting native wildlife, all in the company of Alladale’s skilled and knowledgable rangers.
In nature lies inspiration. Photographers of all skill levels will be awed by Alladale’s panoramic glens, the untamed rivers, the old-growth and recovering forests. You can capture images of red deer stags on the high tops, Atlantic salmon leaping in the waterfalls, or set out onto the reserve at first light to capture the stunning landscape at sunrise. Away from light pollution, Alladale is one of the best places for astrophotography in the UK.
Alladale offers brown trout fly fishing in our many glacial lochs. Whether you are a seasoned fisher, or interested in giving it a try, Alladale is the ideal place. For the beginner, you can book an instructional, guided fishing session with one of our Rangers.
For competent cyclists, we have over 15 well-maintained mountain bikes, and 6 e-bikes available for rent, allowing you to enjoy miles of stunning Highland scenery. Cycle to Deanich Lodge along Glen Mor to get a taste of the rough beauty and solitude Alladale has to offer. Explore the track along Glen Alladale and experience its majestic surroundings.
Alladale’s peaty bogs and old-growth woodlands are a cornucopia for the budding forager, and depending on the season, you can also discover a wide range of wild mushrooms. Led by Alladale’s foraging guide, this experience is a fantastic way to appreciate nature’s gifts.
Reset your mind and body with a wild swim in one of Alladale’s lochs, or dip into the Carron or Alladale Rivers; the water really is some of the purest you will find anywhere in the UK.
Guests cannot leave Scotland without tasting some of our best whisky. Enjoy an exclusive on site tasting, hosted by an expert from a local distillery. Delight in the subtle differences between whiskies, and learn how the taste of each individual whisky has developed.
Clay pigeon shooting offers guests a competitive activity over a couple of hours. Alladale’s highly competent rangers are on hand to help you hone your skills.
Our experienced resident beauty therapist will visit you at Alladale on your request. She specialises in various massages and beauty treatments, such as Swedish full body massages, facials, microdermabrasion treatments, waxing, eye and nail treatments. Make the time to pamper yourself.
Perfectly positioned in the Heart of the Highlands, Alladale is the ideal base from which to experience this stunning part of Scotland. When you’re not relishing in the remote beauty of the Reserve, there are boundless opportunities to explore further afield.
Journey beyond the Reserve and embrace the entire landscape through our selection of ‘Highland Trips’, handpicked by our custodian, Paul Lister.