September 2007
Untitled Document
News from Alladale September 2007

Dear Friends,

Welcome to our September newsletter, the purpose of which is to bring you up to date with some of the interesting developments that are happening on the Reserve and in the Lodge.

In this issue:
Partnership with The Mantis Collection
New Year Special Offer
Roe Deer Resurgence
Road Building
Photographic Retreats Available
Mantis Cooperation
Shamwari Game Reserve

Three years ago I visited, for the first time, one of South Africa’s most renowned and successful Game Reserves, Shamwari (www.shamwari.com). I wanted to learn more about the challenges Adrian Gardiner had faced in transforming 50,000 acres of depleted and overgrazed bush veldt into a world class eco-tourism destination with a series of travel awards for Conservation and Green Tourism.

I was truly inspired by the commitment of Adrian’s team who have since 1990 have focused on seeing the return of the native flora and fauna to this part of the Eastern Cape. Through unrelenting energy, hard work and dedication the team at Shamwari has managed to ‘turn back the clock’ and prove its adversaries wrong, by bringing back the ‘Big 5’ to this little known corner of South Africa!

I have now visited Shamwari on three occasions in order to learn more of their development; in turn Adrian Gardiner, with selected members of his team, has made frequent visits to Alladale. One of the many facets that excite me most about Shamwari is the total integration of the local community in respect of job and business creation as well as their educational programs for a variety of local and foreign students.

I am therefore very pleased to announce, in respect of marketing and sales, we have decided to officially become partners with Shamwari’s holding company The Mantis Collection (www.mantiscollection.com).

Mantis operate three Game Reserves, a number of Boutique Hotels and Lodges in South Africa, as well as a growing number of exclusive small 5* hotels in Europe including The Draycott in central London.

^ TOP

New Year Lodge Offer
the beauty of alladale in winter
As you will be aware, Scotland has an unrivalled reputation for its Hogmanay celebrations!

The Lodge is fully booked for the Christmas period, but is still available for your exclusive New Year house party in the Highlands for up to 16 guests.

Book by the end of September with a 50% deposit and you will receive a 15% discount. (minimum 4 night stay) Call 01863 755 338 and speak to Lesley or Neil for further information.

^ TOP
Roe Buck
Roe buck on the estate
Since the colonisation of the non-native Japanese Sika deer which are escapees from deer parks, the small and shy native Roe deer have been pressured away from our woods.

To help restore the balance of nature we have been working hard to remove Sika from the reserve.

To this end we are delighted to say that we have recently witnessed an increase in Roe Buck sightings. These shy, attractive ungulates live in small family groups in sheltered woodland areas.

^ TOP
Lodge Access Road
new estate equipment
With many miles of roads to maintain we have invested in some heavy plant and machinery.

We now extract our own material from a small quarry on the reserve and save the costly process of transporting stone from many miles away.

We are about to complete a 1 kilometre access road where we can divert staff and trade vehicles in order to enhance the high level of privacy that our guests currently enjoy.

^ TOP
Photographic Retreats
Pinemartens are a common sight at Alladale
For those of you interested in enhancing your wildlife and outdoor photographic skills why not book a long weekend at Alladale with Wildshots.

For just £625pp full board you can enjoy the comfort and hospitality of the lodge for three nights, whilst being guided by a professional Wildshots instructor and Alladale’s rangers.

Pine Martens, pictured here, are an increasingly common sight at Alladale.

Please click here for further details.

^ TOP

And finally...

We thought you might like to read a recent feature in SCOTS magazine which we think is very well written and an accurate portrayal of ongoing events at Alladale.  Please click here and enjoy!

For all your tailor made enquiries please contact the lodge team on +44 (0)1863 755338 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best regards,


Paul Lister

For more information about Alladale, please visit www.alladale.com
 

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter:
First Name: *
Last Name: *