Step into Scotland's wild heart with a journey designed to inspire, connect and restore.
Your Rewilding Journey blends discovery with unforgettable moments in nature, guided by experts and shared with a small group of like-minded fellow travellers. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, picnic by tumbling rivers and keep your eyes peeled for the fascinating wildlife of the Cairngorms. Along the way, visit pioneering rewilding projects and meet the remarkable people bringing nature back to life.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Immerse yourself in the wild landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park and beyond.
Visit multiple Northwoods partner sites to discover transformational rewilding projects that are fighting back for nature.
Meet the passionate people making rewilding happen.
Relax in a stunning mountain lodge nestled within a 130-acre rewilding reserve.
Savour home-cooked meals made with the best local ingredients.
Discover the secret lives of beavers, ospreys, pine martens and more, with an expert local guide.
Details
CountryScotland
Duration (in days)6
Itinerary
Our exact itinerary varies according to local factors, including the weather. Here, we present a sample of the experiences we enjoy on our Cairngorms Rewilding Journey.
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 the 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. This site, another Northwoods partner, was once home to grazing livestock that limited the natural regeneration, 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.
Day 5: Today, we head east to the opposite side of the Cairngorms National Park, a landscape of very different character. We spend time travelling through extensive areas of patchwork grouse moor, discussing how and why the landscape is managed in this way.
Once at our destination, we meet one of the rangers at Mar Lodge Estate, where after decades of traditional management, large areas of land are being allowed to regenerate naturally. We see how the pinewoods, home to red squirrels, golden eagles and pine martens, are once again spreading over open moorland, bringing abundance and diversity of life as they go.
After our final evening meal, we sit back, relax 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
What's Included?
* 5-nights accommodation in a room with private facilities
* All meals (breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner)
* Pick up and drop off at Aviemore train station
* All guiding, excursions and presentations
* All transportation throughout the tour
How your experience helps rewilding efforts
This tour is run by a Scottish rewilding charity. After covering the necessary costs associated with delivering our tours, such as accommodation, food, transport and guiding, we are left with a surplus which, unlike a commercial tour operator with shareholders, is reinvested into our rewilding work that is crucial for addressing the growing climate and biodiversity crises.
Ballintean Mountain Lodge is part of the Northwoods Rewilding Network, with its 130-acre grounds committed to nature recovery for the last 25 years. Ospreys nest nearby, red squirrels forage and badgers are nightly visitors. Vast ancient forests, hidden lochs and snow-capped mountains provide a breath-taking backdrop for an inspiring Rewilding Journey.
The lodge itself has a rustic, contemporary feel. All rooms have private facilities, a light and airy two-tier lounge provides a relaxing environment for learning, whilst the dining room is full of rural charm and character. The lodge has Wi-Fi throughout although due to its remoteness, internet speeds can be slower than you might be used to. Mobile phone reception is generally good.
Breakfast and evening meals are taken within the accommodation and prepared by the in-house 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.
Languages spoken
English
Difficulty
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 and will be able to manage your footing on uneven terrain. Waiting for wildlife can sometimes involve staying quiet and standing still for extended periods. We advise bringing walking poles, if required.
Group size
We generally work with small groups of between 6 and 8 guests (a trip is confirmed once 6 guests book).
What to Bring
The Scottish Highlands have a moderate, but very changeable climate, so please come prepared for rain, wind, clouds and sunshine. Here are a few essential items to remember:
* Strong, warm and waterproof walking boots for uneven, potentially wet ground
* Waterproof jacket and trousers
* Warm layers (we'll be spending most of our time outdoors)
* Sun hat, sunscreen and midge repellent (Smidge or Skin So Soft) if traveling in the summer months
* Hat, gloves and scarf (if joining us towards the beginning or end of the year)
* Comfortable clothes for the evenings
* Indoor shoes
* Reusable water bottle (we do not provide any single-use plastic bottles)
* Torch / head torch
* Binoculars (and a Bird Guide, if you have one)
* Camera
* Small backpack for lunch, water and personal belongings during the day
* Personal first aid kit / medication
* Cash (there is an honesty fridge on site, with local drinks and a variety of snacks)
* Walking poles (if needed)
Frequently Asked Questions
What time are the free transfers from Aviemore?
We collect at 4.30pm on arrival day and drop off at 10.15am on departure day.
How do we get around during our stay?
We use a comfortable 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.
How do I get there?
Public transport is generally reliable and we offer free transfers from the town of Aviemore, 10 miles away. Your room will be available from 4pm and we schedule transfers around this time too.
Train: Services to Aviemore are regular and can be booked here.
Bus: Services to Aviemore are regular and can be booked here. A new electric bus service from Edinburgh to Inverness and back, has recently launched with Ember.
Car: Safe parking is available and there is an EV charging point. Directions will be sent as Satnav is not always reliable. The postcode is PH21 1NX.
Air: Our nearest airport is Inverness (45 miles)
This experience involves
Hiking
Farm (co-existence)
Herbivores in this landscape
Red deer
Roe deer
Eurasian beaver
Carnivores in this landscape
Wildcat
Scavengers and other large birds in this landscape
White-tailed eagle
Fish/crayfish/molluscs in this landscape
Salmon
Location
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About the listing author
Hello, I'm SCOTLAND: The Big Picture.
Rewilding Experiences Lead at SCOTLAND: The Big Picture
