FABLE’s WILD SCOTLAND
Driven by curiosity and built on purpose, this is where bold thinking meets thoughtful execution. Let’s create something meaningful together.
whether the weather be nice, or whether the weather by not,
we’ll weather the weather whatever the whether the weather be nice, or whether the weather by not,
we’ll weather the weather whatever the weather, whether we like it or not!
Into the Heart of the Highlands
Driving north out of Edinburgh the shift is gradual but unmistakable. Roads narrow and begin to bend with the shape of the land. Forest gives way to open moor and eventually you’ll spy the banks of a loch or the blue of the sea. The sky is large and a highland cow is never far.
The appeal of this part of the country lies in that sense of scale. The mountains are solid, old and theatrical. The coastline is cut deep by sea lochs and edged with beaches that appear unexpectedly between cliffs and headlands. It is a place where you travel slowly because you have to. Take your time, the reward is that you notice more, the remains of croft houses in the heather, deer moving across a ridge and the way light changes by the hour.
But it’s not the landscape that makes this wild part of the world so magic. It is the people who live here, those who can enthusiastically share with you stories about their home - the history and the wilderness, the great food and whisky that can accompany it.
Local Legends and AUThENTIC Encounters
Spend time in the hills with local character and wild chef Ruaridh. An invitation to return to nature and to find abundance in your surroundings. Spending time with Ruaridh is less a workshop and more an immersion into landscape, season, and story. His wild walks unfold in Scotland’s most beautiful settings, lochside shores facing the Isle of Skye, hikes through ancient woodlands spotting beavers, scaling heathered hills for views of quiet glens, where the air is sharp, the light is ever-changing and every plant has a purpose.
“I teach people how to cook with fire, forage from the land, and reconnect with the world around them. In a time when life feels rushed and disconnected, I offer a way back to simplicity and meaning. Through practical skills and shared experiences, I help people find joy in honest work, good food, and the quiet satisfaction of being part of something larger than them”
Further east, in Royal Deeside, Annie offers a different way to experience the landscape. Tucked within the sweeping beauty of the Cairngorms, the bothy offers warmth and shelter against the Highland air. Step inside and you’re met with the comforting simplicity of a long wooden table, soft light, and the gentle hum of anticipation. Lunch unfolds slowly. Bowls are passed, bread is torn, stories are shared. There’s a generosity to it, food designed to gather people together. As plates are cleared and glasses refilled, the bothy fills with local song. Pluck up the courage to jig to the fiddle before leaving with a full tummy and fuller heart.
Back on the West Coast, everyone loves Matt. Matt isn’t just someone who knows the best routes, he lives the landscape. Whether you’re gliding across sheltered bays in a sea kayak or winding through mountain paths under sweeping skies, he brings a grounded confidence and curiosity that puts everyone at ease. He’ll drag you out of bed and up a munro (one of Scotland’s mountains over 3,000 feet) with the promise of a dram of whisky when you make the top. Or, he’ll put you all on his boat in search of sea life at sunset - dolphin, birds and even whales if the season is right. No one can guarantee what you’ll see but he’ll almost surely reward your hardiness and willingness to explore with a tune or two on his bagpipes.
Something, somewhere that moves you. Where you might not remember what you did but how you felt.
WHERE TO REST
The Highlands are dramatic and patient, steeped in history and legend. Glenfinnan’s monument rises against the mirrored waters of Loch Shiel, whispering tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the march of 800 Cameron clansmen. Where to stay in these areas can feel overwhelming but we know the bases that feel like home and feed you like family.
Lundies House sits quietly in the remote village of Tongue on Scotland’s famed North Coast 500 route, offering a tranquil Highland base with unrivalled access to wild landscapes and coastal beauty. The surrounding area is rich with dramatic scenery from sandy beaches and sea lochs to rugged hills and ancient ruins. For walkers and adventurers, the gentle path up to Castle Varrich provides expansive views over the Kyle of Tongue, while longer hikes up Ben Hope (Scotland’s most northerly Munro) offer a more challenging Highland ascent.
If you want west coast island life without the crowds, WildLuing is a hidden gem tucked into the rugged coastline of the Isle of Luing (!) where luxury glamping meets Scottish hospitality. Perched above Torsa Bay, this secluded retreat offers eight bespoke WildSuites, each with panoramic sea views, boutique interiors and a deck where you might spot otters and grey seals playing in the water below. The island itself feels wonderfully untouched: quaint conservation villages like Cullipool and Toberonochy are just a stroll away, where you can grab lunch at the Atlantic Islands Centre or browse local crafts before heading back to the wild.
Finally, the big cheese, The Fife Arms. The hotel sits pretty in the heart of the historic Highland village of Braemar, surrounded by the sweeping hills and ancient forests of Cairngorms National Park. More than just a luxury hotel, it’s a celebration of Scottish heritage, craftsmanship and art, its rooms and public spaces showcase thousands of artworks, antiques and curios that reflect the spirit of the Highlands.
A Journey That Becomes A Story
Truly wild Scottish experiences rely entirely on the people behind them. Between them there is an understanding that the landscape leads. No two days out are ever the same. The weather can change quickly and rather than fighting these conditions, the best storytellers work with them.
Wild Scotland does not try to impress in obvious ways. It does not rely on polish. Its luxury is in the people who make you feel welcome, warm and like there isn’t another person for miles around. A day in the hills with Ruaridh changes how you see the ground beneath your feet. A lunch with Annie reinforces the connection between heart and music. A climb or paddle with Matt places you directly within the landscape rather than observing it from a distance. By the time you leave, what stays with you is not a single dramatic moment but a series of clear impressions… the sound of pipes carrying down a mountain, dolphins surfacing briefly beside your kayak, a long dinner made from ingredients grown or caught nearby.
In this part of Scotland, the journey is not about spectacle. It is about attention to land, to weather, to people. And that, more than anything, is what makes it worth the distance.