A Danish billionaire has unveiled a pioneering rewilding programme set across 220,000 Scottish acres, alongside a collection of thoughtfully-restored hotels, lodges and cottages. Olivia Palamountain reports

Danish retail billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, Scotland's largest private landowner, has unveiled WildLand, an ambitious conservation project spanning 220,000 acres across 13 Highland estates.

The initiative aims to restore lost habitats, reintroduce endangered species and create sustainable tourism opportunities over the next two centuries.

The project stretches from Loch Ness and the Cairngorms to Sutherland's rugged coastline, focusing on regenerating native woodlands, reviving drained peatlands and reintroducing wildlife including beavers, capercaillie and ptarmigan. To support this conservation work, WildLand has developed a collection of restored properties ranging from baronial estates to contemporary bothies, which will allow visitors to experience these rewilded landscapes firsthand.

At the project's heart, the 1880s Glenfeshie Lodge offers an exclusive retreat amid regenerating Caledonian pine forests where golden eagles have returned. Nearby Killiehuntly Farmhouse combines Scandinavian design with Highland warmth, while a network of self-catering cottages including Geordies Cottage and Coire Domhain Cottage extends into the wilderness. The 300-year-old Aldourie Castle anchors the Loch Ness properties, set within 500 acres of manicured grounds, walled gardens and wildflower meadows. The estate's modernised cottages include Tigh Na Coille Cottage and Gate Cottage, with both North and South Bothies offering additional accommodation.Along Sutherland's UNESCO geopark coastline, the 19th-century Lundies House has been converted into a boutique hotel within Tongue village. The exclusive-use Kinloch Lodge showcases Scandinavian-inspired interiors by its riverside setting, complemented by self-catering options such as Kyle Cottage and Strathmore Cottage.WildLand's most ambitious development, Hope, will launch in May 2026. Created with interior designers Cecil & Boyd, this new retreat will feature a restored hotel, self-catering cottages including Ferrymans Cottage and Keepers Cottage, plus an adventure centre for immersive nature experiences.The initiative marks a significant shift in Highland estate management, prioritising ecological restoration over traditional sporting interests. Through careful property restoration and sustainable tourism, WildLand aims to create new ways for visitors to experience Scotland's wild spaces while supporting their regeneration for future generations.