When life becomes uncertain, retreating into the natural world and immersing ourselves in nature allows us to put aside our busy thoughts and anxieties and seek not just emotional security but mental well being and a renewed sense of purpose.

The Bothies at Inverlonan, on secret patches of wilderness, offer an opportunity to experience nature by being in it. Immersed in it. Not observing from the side-lines but living a simple, slow and natural life surrounded by silence and the natural rhythms of the day.

Being amongst trees can make us well. Spending time in forests boosts our wellbeing due to the calm atmosphere and actual interactions with the trees. Immersion in nature boosts your health, reducing stress and promising healing physically, mentally and emotionally. Japanese researchers have studied forest bathing – a poetic name for walking in the woods. They suspect that aerosols, inhaled during a walk are behind elevated levels of natural killer cells in the immune system, which fight disease.

It takes 120 minutes to get a dose of nature just enough to make you feel healthy and have a strong sense of wellbeing. Time in nature is an antidote to stress while silence can enhance our minds.

Inverlonan Bothies are architect-designed cabins by The Artist Bothy.  They offer rough luxury, seclusion, comfort and total seclusion. Accessible only by boat, foot or buggy, they nestle between ancient oaks overlooking Loch Nell, Scotland.

The Bothies are natural homes, finished with earthy neutrals, including green and creamy white Clayworks Clay Plasters. Nothing unnecessary. The essence is comfort and calm. Silence. Immersion in nature. Timeless natural health and eco-living

Rewilding

A single tree can absorb 10 pounds of air pollutants a year. So every single tree protected and every new tree planted is good to An ecologically focused 100 hectare broadleaf woodland was planted two years ago on the Ballygowan Hill behind the Bothies where public access is encouraged. 190,000 broadleaf trees have been planted – predominantly oak, beech and birch. There are rough footpaths throughout it, accessible from the bothies, and a string of large ‘mythical’ stones running around the top including the Skull Stone. The woodland sits within the “GLAW-1” Golden Eagle Range. Hen harriers, white-tailed sea eagles, black grouse, merlins and red-throated divers are all in the immediate area and are being encouraged to flourish within the woodland. Habitats for the rare and protected Marsh Fritillary butterfly are being preserved in the woodland to encourage it to flourish. Scotland’s most iconic protected species, such as pine marten, red squirrel, otters and wild cats are all in the area. There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in, and bordering, Inverlonan to the north – the Black Lochs. Noted for its moths, dragonflies, sedges, mosses and the ever impressive, ancient oak woodland, this is like the bothy setting but on a big scale!

The Bothies – by Inverlonan

Wild wellness is central to the ethos of Inverlonan. Cooking up a feast on the outdoor fire pit with the very best local produce after a wild swim. Strolling through the spectacular scenery. Sipping a sundowner in front of a log fire. Turning off the outside world and enjoying the moment.

The family owners of Inverlonan are farmers, with around 400 blackface sheep and 20 cattle, including Highlanders. The animals are wholly grass-fed (save for the winter block), antibiotic-free and well cared for. Excepting that the White-Tailed eagles have a taste for baby lamb.

Across Inverlonan there is a Government-backed Agri-Environment Climate Scheme in place, which controls grazing patterns across the individual habitats on the farm thereby encouraging biodiversity and habitats to flourish. Black Grouse have returned. Waders are encouraged to nest. Habitats are left un-grazed during the critical spring months.

A public footpath runs along the fence-line of the Ballygowan woodland. It follows the Old Military Road which is marked on maps of the 18th century and will have been in existence for much, much longer.

For more pictures please see our case study.