Royal ties to Highlands tourism

Tourism in the Scottish Highlands has long been influenced by the royal family, with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert leasing Balmoral in Aberdeenshire in 1848. This event led to the Highlands becoming a popular destination for the British upper class, with traditional Scottish culture, including bagpipes and ceilidhs, becoming more prominent.

Ecological impact of land use

By the 20th century, summer holidays in the Highlands were an essential event in the aristocratic calendar, attracting visitors from across the Atlantic. The ecological impact of this tourism and land use has been significant, with Scotland experiencing heavy losses of biodiversity due to poor land management, particularly on moors used for hunting and deer parks.

Conservation efforts by WildLand

This has led to conservation efforts, such as those by WildLand, a conservation organization founded in 2006 by Danish businessman Anders Holch Povlsen. WildLand owns over 222,000 acres and has planted over six million trees by hand. It offers luxury accommodations such as Aldourie Castle and Killiehuntly Farmhouse, and its latest property, Hope, is a hunting lodge originally built in 1867 for the third Duke of Sutherland.

Location and features of Hope

Hope is located on the northwest coast of Scotland, near the North Atlantic and a loch with rocky shores still dotted with abandoned cottages from the Highland Clearances. The property offers a range of outdoor activities, including paddling, horseback riding, and exploring the estate's vast area. The renovation of Hope, which took a decade, was entrusted to Cécile & Boyd, the design firm behind the Singita safari lodges.

Design and restoration of Hope

The restoration included preserving original elements of the lodge, such as ironwork and wooden benches, and incorporating new furniture and contemporary artworks. The interiors of Hope reflect a blend of traditional and modern elements, with glass walls framing the surrounding landscape and a focus on indigenous flora. The property also features a custom-built stone building complex called The Clachlan, where outdoor adventures begin.

Culinary and conservation aspects

Guests can participate in conservation-focused activities, such as following itineraries that highlight WildLand's rewilding efforts. These experiences include immersions in the local environment, such as exploring the slopes of Ben Hope and visiting a waterfall. The culinary offerings at Hope emphasize local ingredients, with dishes made from foraged mushrooms and vegetables grown in the estate's walled gardens. The property also plans to restore historical sites, such as a Victorian icehouse and a ruined bothy, while preserving the natural beauty of the area. The surrounding environment includes diverse wildlife, such as common dolphins and anemones, with minimal human impact on the pristine beach.