From sea to sky: showcasing Inverewe’s biodiversity

Inverewe is world-famous for its garden, which was created by Osgood Mackenzie and his daughter Mairi Sawyer over a period of 90 years until coming into the care of the National Trust for Scotland in 1952. But many people are not so aware of the 2,100-acre estate that surrounds the garden and which gives it context in the wider landscape.

Inverewe can be envisaged as a series of concentric circles, with the garden and house at the centre, surrounded by forest and woodland, leading out onto open upland, which in turn is encompassed by the sea loch of Loch Ewe on one side and wilderness on the other.

Situated between the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area and the UNESCO Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve, Inverewe is a gateway to wilderness in the North West Highlands. 

Our wildlife hide can be found a short walk down the lane from the visitor centre.  Built in 2004 and originally funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, this facility provides the opportunity to see a wide range of species along the shoreline, particularly when the tide is on its way out, exposing the mudflats and salt marsh. 

We are keen to promote the wildlife hide as a hub for visitors to the estate, by providing an orientation point for people to learn about what can be seen at Inverewe, and then plan their onward visit along our network of paths and trails. The estate offers an opportunity for visitors to explore a tapestry landscape of archaeology ranging from the Bronze Age to the Second World War, as well as to experience a sense of wilderness. Inverewe Estate is adjacent to one of the most remote areas in Britain: the Fisherfield wilderness.