Last week, our team travelled to the northernmost edge of mainland Scotland, arriving in Sutherland, a place of stark, lunar-like beauty. Renowned for its white-sand beaches, UNESCO-protected peatlands, and winding coastal roads, this remarkable landscape has undergone a quiet but profound transformation in recent decades.

Rewilding initiatives, conservation work, and thoughtfully curated hospitality, led by WildLand, have harnessed the sense of wonder across the region. As part of this long-term vision, our studio is collaborating with WildLand on a series of public-facing projects, including a new bakery, a sauna, and the restoration of a local inn on the shores of Loch Ness. With so much unfolding in the Highlands, it felt like the perfect setting for our annual team trip.

Our journey began with a whimsical overnight train from London to Inverness, followed by a drive north to the village of Tongue. From there, we set out on our first activity: a demanding hike up Ben Loyal. An eight-hour round-trip was rewarded with sweeping views across the Flow Country, glimpses of golden eagles overhead, and misty, cliff-edge scrambling, an experience not for the faint-hearted. Nips of whiskey and the impassioned knowledge of our guides kept us honest to arrive back to our hotel in one piece.

On day two, with sleeves rolled up and hammer and chisels at the ready, we got to work removing render from a remote bothy that WildLand were in the process of restoring. Several blisters, a broken hammer and some tired biceps later we were back on the road again to Durness Beach for a refreshing dip in the rare sunshine. Revitalised, we concluded our trip with a traditional Scottish ceilidh in Burr’s of Tongue village hall and café.

Our thanks go to the WildLand team for their generous hospitality and for making the experience so special—particularly our excellent guides, Grant, Helen, and Struan.