WildLand is set to open Hope in May 2026, a hotel and exclusive-use retreat on Scotland’s northern coast that places conservation, ritual and immersion in nature at the centre of the guest experience. Olivia Palamountain reports

In May 2026 WildLand will add to its portfolio of hospitality projects with Hope, a small hotel and exclusive-use property on Scotland’s northern coast.

The property combines hospitality, conservation and wilderness exploration, offering guests an inclusive experience where every element – from meals to guided activities – is curated to foster connection with the natural world.

The main building is a restored 19th-century Highland hunting lodge with seven bedrooms, supported by a handful of cottages and a standalone two-bedroom cabin. Guests can book individual rooms as part of an inclusive hotel stay, or reserve the lodge and shared spaces for private groups.The lodge has been redesigned by interior designers Cecile & Boyd, who have focused on practical, durable materials suited to the climate and setting. Original oak furniture sits alongside tweed, flax and oilskin textiles, creating interiors that feel functional rather than decorative. Bedrooms are named in Gaelic, and shared spaces are designed to encourage guests to spend time together, particularly at the Clachan, the property’s central meeting point.

Activities are included as part of the stay and are led by WildLand’s team of field guides and conservation staff. Rather than fixed itineraries, days are shaped by weather and season. Experiences range from coastal paddleboarding, wild swimming and boat trips to Rabbit Island, to trout fishing with local ghillies, foraging walks and fire-cooked meals in remote bothies near Loch Hope.

Guests are also invited to take part in conservation work, including guided tree planting and restoration walks, offering insight into how the wider estate is being managed. Equipment such as boots, wetsuits and boats is provided, allowing guests to explore independently if they prefer.

Accommodation options include the main lodge, where stays are offered on an inclusive basis, and self-catered cottages for guests seeking a more independent visit. An Cala, a two-bedroom cabin set slightly apart from the lodge, is designed for families or small groups and includes a private wood-fired hot tub.

Rates at Hope start from £1,100 per room per night for inclusive stays, covering meals, house drinks, guided activities and equipment. The cottages are available on a self-catered basis from £425 per night.

Hope sits within a broader WildLand estate that spans more than 100,000 acres of protected land and forms part of a wider portfolio of nature-based hospitality projects in Scotland. Backed by private landowners including Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, the estate aims to combine tourism with long-term environmental management.