SPRING GETAWAYS

Breaks that embrace the outdoors

BEST FOR LOCAL DRAMS AND HIGHLAND GAME Alladale Wilderness Reserve, Scotland

The Alladale Wilderness Reserve in the Scottish Highlands ofers over 20,000 acres of balm for the soul. The Wilderness is an impressive conservation project, with knowledgeable guides and various ambitious projects, including the gradual reintroduction of wild cats and original highland plant species.

Stay in one of the three remote lodges to fnish your novel; hike the magnifcent glens; mountain bike, fsh for brown trout, or try clay-pigeon shooting. Shaggy highland cows – straight from central casting, majestic red deer and the swooping golden eagles provide ample inspiration for one of the reserve’s photography retreats, led by renowned photographer Max Milligan. Eagle’s Crag and Ghillie’s Rest (three- and two-bed cottages) are beautifully decorated in calming neutrals and natural fabrics, which absorb the soft highland light. For larger, hardier groups, Deanich Lodge is a more basic, bunking-down afair, and sits in its own remote spot at the heart of the reserve with views of the glen. For a more luxurious experience, larger groups can base themselves at the main lodge and enjoy chef Tom Park’s inventive Scots cooking. Crispy haggis ‘bonbons’ are served with pre-dinner drinks, and the impossibly tender venison (from the estate) comes with a glossy chocolate sauce and locally-grown vegetables. The cranachan, with homemade shortbread, raspberries and local whisky, is perfection. (The smaller lodges can also be catered for by arrangement.) An exciting artisan food culture is taking shape locally, which makes Alladale the perfect base for adventurous foodies. The organic Black Isle Brewery in Munlochy produces wonderful craft beers, and they also run the excellent Black Isle Bar in Inverness (blackislebrewery.com). At the Dornoch Distillery (dornochdistillery.com), intelligent whisky and gin food pairings – bacon-wrapped scallops with a peaty Ardbeg 10 – will knock your socks of.

At Golspie Mill ( golspiemill.co.uk) softly-spoken Kiwi Mike Shaw produces small batches of exquisite stone-ground four, including ancient varieties such as peasemeal and beremeal, using restored nineteenth-century water-powered equipment. His four-spattered surfoard is propped in the corner of the mill.

The Tain-based Highland Patissier create beautiful, jewel-coloured chocolates with Mexican fair. Their macaroons and homemade tarts are highly sought after at local markets and food fairs.

How to do it Alladale is a 90-minute drive from Inverness airport or station. The main lodge (sleeps 14) costs from £165 per person per night, full board; self-catering is £950–£2,000 per week (three nights minimum). alladale.com Charlotte Coleman-smith