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PRICE

£1895

Rewilding Impact Donation

If your finances allow, please consider making a donation of £200 or £500 to our Rewilding Fund, which supports the creation of new native woodlands, restores degraded peatlands and revitalises rivers and wetlands. This first-of-its-kind impact fund is dedicated to the delivery of projects across Scotland that will lock away carbon, boost nature and support thriving communities. A Rewilding Impact Donation can be made on booking. 

DEPOSIT

£300

PRICE INCLUDES

PRICE EXCLUDES

ITINERARY

Our exact itinerary varies according to local factors, including the weather. Here, we present a sample of the experiences we enjoy on our Rewilding Journeys.

Day 1:

After arrival and introductions, we savour welcoming ‘Scottish’ cocktails and a pre-dinner presentation setting the scene for our adventure. We then get together around our farmhouse dining table to enjoy our first evening meal, prepared by our in-house catering team.

Day 2: 

We begin our journey right outside the door with a walk and talk along the spectacular River Feshie in our rewilding reserve, part of the Northwoods Rewilding Network. Here the emphasis is on letting nature shape and govern the landscape, assisted by a free-roaming herd of Highland cattle that replicate the grazing patterns of lost wild herbivores.

Following a hearty breakfast, we explore a secret forest waterfall before descending into the regenerating landscape of Glenfeshie. The glen is part of the Cairngorms Connect initiative – a 200-year vision to restore forests, peatlands and rivers across a vast area. The signs of recovery are everywhere, providing a glimpse into what much of Scotland could look like in the future.

After a picnic lunch by the cascading river, we travel a short distance to a viewpoint overlooking Insh Marshes, one of the most expansive wetlands in the UK. We spend time scanning for hen harriers and white-tailed eagles, as well as the herd of Konik ponies that graze the marshes.

Supporting local communities is a significant part of our Rewilding Journeys and so, we may round the day off with coffee and cake at a local café – rewilding can be such hard work!

Day 3: 

Today we head west to spend time along the shores of Loch Ness, exploring the alluvial woodlands of Urquhart Bay. Here the rivers Enrick and Coiltie flow out into Loch Ness, forming one of the best examples of surviving wet woodland in the UK. 

We then travel the short distance to the Dundreggan Estate, home of our friends Trees for Life, and the world’s first dedicated Rewilding Centre. After lunch in the centre’s lovely cafe, we take a guided tour of the tree nursery and learn about the pioneering work taking place producing rare and difficult-to-grow species, such as aspen.

After dinner, we may make an optional visit to a local osprey nest offering great views of these majestic raptors, so symbolic of nature recovery in Scotland over recent decades. An option later in the year is to witness the incredible Atlantic salmon leaping a waterfall, as they make their way back to their spawning grounds.

Day 4: 

After a long day yesterday, we take a slightly later breakfast before our next meeting with a rewilding practitioner. Three years ago, Ballinlaggan Farm, another Northwoods partner, comprised sterile sheep pasture, but thanks to the vision and hard work of its owners, it is slowly being transformed into a vibrant mosaic of natural habitats.

Following a picnic lunch at Northwoods partner Anagach Woods, we meet another couple committed to nature recovery. Lynn and Sandra of Lynbreck Croft, have transformed their upland farm and are pioneering ways to combine high-quality food production with the principles of rewilding. Their story is one of inspiration.

This evening we will enjoy a fascinating presentation about Eurasian lynx, a species that SCOTLAND: The Big Picture is working to reintroduce, and will find out what it would be like to once again, live alongside this enigmatic predator.

Day 5: 

This morning, we take a short drive to a nearby wetland – a wonderful mosaic of ponds, channels, reedbeds and scrubby woodland, where it’s easy to imagine cranes and even elk making a home.

We enjoy a leisurely, circular walk around the wetland looking for signs of the recently reintroduced beavers. We take a well-earned lunch in a secluded spot looking out over the alluvial fan of the River Feshie as it runs into the Spey - a magical place, especially in autumn.

Abernethy is one of the largest surviving tracts of the magical pine forest that once stretched across vast areas of the Cairngorms. Our final rewilding expert shows us  that despite the howl of wolves falling silent (for now), the forest itself is expanding for the first time in centuries, attracting new species, such as breeding white-tailed eagles.

After our final evening meal, we sit back and relax with a ‘wee dram’ and enjoy a film that brings together many of the places and principles we have seen and learned about during our journey.

Day 6:

We say our farewells after a hearty breakfast.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Where do we stay?

Our Rewilding Learning Hub is a beautifully converted farm steading, known as ‘Ballintean Mountain Lodge’ and is located in Glenfeshie, near the village of Kincraig in the Cairngorms National Park.

The lodge has a rustic, contemporary feel with furnishings inspired by nature. All rooms have private facilities and there is Wi-Fi throughout. Mobile phone reception is generally good.

We strive to ensure that the lodge is as accessible as possible to everyone. If you have a disability or a health condition, please let us know at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

What meals are served?

Breakfast and evening meals are taken within our accommodation and prepared by our own catering team. We offer home-cooked, wholesome food prepared with fresh, local ingredients. In the field, we take a picnic lunch and home-bakes. We might also squeeze in coffee and cake stops along the way!

A range of dietary requirements can be catered for, taking into consideration allergies and health conditions, as well as ethics, faiths and cultures. Please indicate your requirements on the booking form and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

How do I get there?

Public transport is generally reliable and we offer free transfers from Kingussie, our nearest village (8 miles). Your room will be available from 4pm and we will schedule transfers around this time too. 

Train: Services to Kingussie are regular and can be booked here. 

Bus: Services to Kingussie are regular and can be booked here.

Car: Safe parking is available and there is an EV charging point. Directions will be sent as Satnav is not always reliable. Our postcode is PH21 1NX.

Air: Our nearest airport is Inverness (45 miles)

Can you collect me from the airport?

Yes. Inverness airport is one hour from our base and we charge a flat fee of £50 per single airport collection or drop off. This can be shared if there are other members of the group travelling by air. Transfer times will be arranged depending on guest arrivals, but are usually around 4pm on arrival day and 10:30am on departure day. 

How do we get around during our stay?

We use a modern, comfortable 9-seater minibus. For larger groups, we use an additional 9-seater minibus.

Who are your guides?

We work with knowledgeable and friendly guides from within the Cairngorms area and all are familiar with Scotland’s rewilding narrative.

What size are your groups?

We generally work with small groups of between 5 and 8 guests (a trip is confirmed once 5 guests book). For private journeys, 12 guests is our maximum group size (no minimum).

Do I need to be fit?

Our walks are mostly on established paths and tracks but the terrain can be uneven and sometimes wet and/or slippery. Ideally, you will be able to walk at a leisurely pace for up to 5-7km. Waiting for wildlife can sometimes involve staying quiet and still for extended periods.

If you have mobility issues or need to take things slow, please let us know and we will be happy to discuss alternative activities.

What wildlife will we see?

Our Rewilding Journeys are not focused on wildlife sightings, although we do include several species-specific viewing opportunities for the likes of badger, pine marten and beaver, for example. During our walks, we will keep an eye out for any interesting wildlife and where appropriate, spend time enjoying the sighting.

Will biting insects be an issue?

Midges aren’t usually an issue but can be irritating on calm, mild evenings in late summer. If you’re travelling with us during this period, we suggest you bring a suitable repellent. For anyone who has experienced midges on Scotland’s west coast, they don’t come anywhere close in the Cairngorms!

What will the weather be like?

Weather in the Highlands is very changeable and at any time of year, you should expect anything from warm, calm conditions to wintry squalls. Temperatures are likely to range from 10c to 22c in the spring/summer to 0c to 10c in autumn. If you’re unsure what to pack, we’ll be pleased to advise. 

READ OUR FAQS FOR MORE INFO

OUR REWILDING LEARNING HUB

Set in a private, elevated position, Ballintean Mountain Lodge is a beautifully converted farm steading, perfectly located for exploring the wild landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR REWILDING LEARNING HUB