The hills and glens of Sutherland take on a rather different character after darkness falls, and a new Highland wildlife experience is promising visitors a glimpse into a world that usually remains hidden from view.
Links House at Royal Dornoch is launching Wildlife by Night Highland Adventures from September, taking guests into remote parts of Sutherland in search of pine martens, deer, foxes, badgers and other nocturnal wildlife.
The five star hotel has teamed up with local wildlife and outdoor adventure expert Kurt Connell, who will personally guide the evening safaris from September through to April.
Born and raised in the North Highlands, Connell has more than 15 years of experience in outdoor pursuits and conservation and now runs Dornoch based Connell Outdoor Pursuits.
His earlier career included technology and engineering roles involving subsea hydraulics and robotics, experience which fits rather neatly with the sophisticated equipment being used to explore the Highland landscape after dark.
Guests will remain inside a specially modified vehicle while a gyroscopically stabilised 360 degree thermal imaging camera searches the surrounding countryside, allowing wildlife to be observed discreetly without disturbing the animals.
Connell will collect guests directly from Links House before taking them to carefully selected locations around Sutherland, with each nighttime safari lasting around two to three hours.
The experience will begin considerably earlier in the day, however, with guests joining Connell for a private Highland adventure featuring activities including archery and axe throwing.
Back at Links House, the evening continues with a seasonal Highland dinner at MARA, the hotel’s two AA rosette restaurant, before guests head back outside as daylight disappears.
Depending on the season, the wildlife safari will begin during late evening or after darkness has fallen completely.
Guests eventually return to Links House for a final nightcap, with the choice of warming hot chocolate or a dram of The Dalmore Malt Whisky providing a suitably Highland conclusion to the adventure.
Links House holds the UK’s most northerly Michelin Key and was recently named among the country’s top 50 boutique hotels, with the new experience adding another reason for visitors to explore Dornoch and the surrounding North Highlands outside the traditional summer season.
Wildlife by Night Highland Adventures will begin in September 2026, with the outdoor activities and dinner experience starting from £275 per person, while accommodation at Links House can be added separately.
For visitors accustomed to seeing the Highlands by daylight, the real attraction may be discovering just how much is happening across the landscape once the rest of us have gone to bed.
Follow Links House on social media, including Instagram www.instagram.com/linkshousedornoch and Facebook www.facebook.com/LinksHouseDornoch
