We knew nothing about hospitality, but we did know
how to tell a story and create an experience.”
Equally extraordinary is the expanding portfolio
of Wildland properties, including Aldourie Castle, on
Loch Ness; Killiehuntly and Glenfeshie, in the High-
lands; and Kinloch and Lundies, in Sutherland, to the
north. They belong to Anders Holch Povlsen, owner
of the Danish fast-fashion empire Bestseller, and his
wife, Anne. The properties’ muted elegance—which
has prompted the novel stylistic designation Scandi-
Scot—has a catnip-like effect on guests. But while
the hotel aspect of Wildland is important, the Holch
Povlsens’ chief consideration has been conservation.
Astonishingly, the couple now owns more of Scot-
land than any other private individual.
“We strive to create the kind of atmosphere you
find when visiting the home of a friend,” Anne said.
“We use our gut instinct and travel experiences to
design places that we believe are cozy and welcom-
ing.” She acknowledged, too, the importance of team-
work. “We have an eye for good people who can grow
with our small hotels and properties. We’re grateful
that Wildland has been seen as something different,
in hotels and in conservation—even though, in our
minds, the journey has only just begun.”
above
Domaine des
Etangs, a hotel in
an 11th-century
French château
left
The drawing room
of the Newt, in
Somerset, England48 CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER APRIL 2020
PHOTOGRAPHS: ROBERTO FRANKENBERG; JENNY ZARINS
why we travel^ ➤^ anthropology