Hope Lodge: Wildland's New Highland Retreat Blends Luxury with Conservation

Hope Lodge, a new luxury hotel in the Scottish Highlands, opened in May as part of Wildland, Europe's largest conservation project. Located at the mouth of Loch Hope in Sutherland, the lodge is a refurbished 1870s shooting lodge with seven bedrooms, designed by South African studio Cécile & Boyd, known for safari lodge design. The project includes a new cabin, An Cala, and restored cottages, with a nerve centre called The Clachan. Architecture was masterminded by Edinburgh-based GRAS, with directors Nicholas and Gunnar Groves-Raines overseeing restoration and new buildings. The interiors feature local stone, wood, and antiques, with joinery by Laurence McIntosh. Wildland, founded by Danish billionaire Anders Hoch Povlsen, has a 200-year commitment to land regeneration. The lodge offers a 'Highland Safari' experience with activities like cold water plunges, hiking, and foraging. The project aims to combine luxury with environmental engagement, setting a new benchmark for Scottish hospitality. However, it is set in a landscape with a fraught history of Highland Clearances, and the article notes a tension between conservation and the area's past. The design intentionally excludes art depicting people or manmade structures to immerse guests in nature. The lodge is located at Altnaharra Road End, Lairg IV27 4UJ.