Yoga & Rewilding Retreat in the Scottish Highlands: A Week on a 23,000-Acre Reserve

The retreat runs Saturday to Saturday on the Alladale Wilderness Reserve, a 23,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands that has been the subject of a two-decade rewilding project. A million trees have been planted, peatlands have been repaired, and native species including red squirrels have been reintroduced. The reserve also runs a wildcat breeding programme in partnership with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland; the wildcat population has gone from a believed 50 to over 150, with animals bred on-site released back into the landscape. You'll see free-roaming highland cows and red deer on the land, and the landscape is the one that inspired the look of Outlander, Highlander and Braveheart.

Mornings start with yoga in the shala the hosts built for these weeks. The rest of the day is spent outside: ranger-guided hikes across glens and hills, educational Land Rover drives to see the conservation work up close, and time around the hill lochs. One day is given over to a trip to coastal villages in the north of Scotland. On-property options include a cold dip in a loch, trout fishing, and mountain or electric bike riding. The hosts are also looking into arranging a Celtic band one night during the week.

Accommodation is spread across the main lodge and two additional houses, which together hold up to 18 guests per week. Everyone eats together, and the week is structured so there's a balance of scheduled activity and free time to walk, read or sit by the water.

The retreat is run in partnership with Alladale reserve specifically to offer exclusive stays on the property, and the property is not otherwise open to guests in this way. That means the hikes, drives and access to the reserve's conservation areas are arranged for the group rather than as part of a public tour.

Each week is led by a different yoga teacher. The 2027 season includes Ann Maxwell and Molly McManus (May 23–30), Melissa Spammer (June 20–27), Dr. Deb Kern (August 22–29), Suzanne McCahill-Perrine (September 12–19), Cara Chang Mutert (September 19–26 and September 26–October 3), and Donna Farhi (April 30–May 7, 2028). Bookings are handled by email; guests join an invite list for each departure.

This is not a resort holiday. The reserve is remote, the weather changes fast, and the days involve real walking on uneven ground. In exchange you get a week on land that most visitors to Scotland never see, with the people who have spent 20 years bringing it back.

What's included

- 7 nights' accommodation on the reserve (main lodge and two additional houses) - Daily morning yoga in the purpose-built shala - Meals during the retreat (served at the lodge) - Ranger-guided hikes on the reserve - Educational wildlife and conservation drives - Full-day outing to coastal North Scotland villages - Exclusive use of the reserve during your stay - Access to mountain and electric bikes - Opportunities for cold dipping in a hill loch - Trout fishing on the property

What's not included

- Flights and travel to Scotland - Transfers to and from the reserve - Travel insurance - Personal expenses and tips - Alcoholic drinks - Optional extras not listed as included