A core principal of the management goals at Alladale is to ensure they have a foundation in excellent science. Where the necessary research has yet to be carried out, we will endeavour to produce it. For this purpose the Wildlife and Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) of Oxford University have been funded by Paul Lister's European Nature Trust (ENT) to design and conduct unique research at Alladale. A purpose built 500 acre trial enclosure has now been completed and will provide the research site for these experiments.

Sightings of Black Grouse have become more common on Alladale as the local population is thriving thanks to the considerable woodland regeneration efforts over the last decade. As Black Grouse become increasingly re-established again, some birds will be forced to look for new "leking" sites. A lek site is where males gather to "display" and compete for breeding rights to the females that come and judge them. Only certain sites are suitable if the birds are to successfully mate. As the environment has been changed through human interference, we have chosen a potentially suitable site that will meet the needs of this species and assist the capercaillie programme in the local area. The lek is a spectacle that is well worth an early start on a beautiful spring morning.