Our Green Policy
We currently hold a Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold award.
Our aim is to provide 4 star accommodation whilst taking into account our ‘Green’ concerns. 
Household
- We buy in bulk to reduce packaging
- To reduce the use of chemicals we use e-cloths and Ecover cleaning and dishwashing products
- Bathroom products are locally made by the Highland Soap Company from organic ingredients. The products are GM free and free from SLS, SLES and Paraben preservatives.
- Washing is done using low temperature wash cycles and phosphate free detergent. We have a ‘Pulley Maid’ for drying sheets, napkins and cloths
- To reduce water usage toilets are dual flush and there are no baths at the lodge. The taps on the basins have aerators
- Jackie makes the bread, jam, biscuits and cakes served at the lodge. To reduce food miles we serve locally sourced, Scottish or British food whenever possible
- For the hospitality trays we use jars for the sugar, Fairtrade tea and coffee which are bought in bulk. We provide home-made biscuits and fresh milk in a jug rather than pre-packed long life milk
Energy
- We have installed a wood burning stove in the lounge to reduce the use of oil – the heat from the stove keeps the lounge and public areas warm. The wood fuel for the stove is sourced locally
- Wherever possible we use low energy or low voltage light bulbs - we have recently replaced our 50W downlighter bulbs with 4W LED bulbs
- The heating and hot water systems are controlled by timer, the heating system is zoned and thermostatically controlled and all radiators have thermostatic valves. When rooms are not in use the radiators are turned to the frost protect setting
- When replacing white goods we aim to replace with ‘A’ rated products, fridges and TVs in guest rooms are turned off when the room is not in use
- Our high efficiency boiler is serviced regularly.
- Our car was bought second hand, it has to be a big car as we transport guests and their luggage, and it allows us to bulk buy on shopping trips but it does +50MPG
- Encourage the use of public transport by providing lifts to and from the station and offering garaging facilities for bikes and cycles
Recycling and waste reduction
- We recycle the following waste at the Fort William re-cycling centre; glass, cardboard, paper, plastic (PET1 and HDPE2), plastic bottle tops, aluminium and metal cans, tetrapaks, batteries, light bulbs, electrical goods, furniture, fabric and clothes
- At breakfast to save food waste we prepare food to order
- Where appropriate waste food is fed to the birds or composted
- We use email as much as possible but when paper is used it is recycled
- We do not produce fliers and our business cards are recycled card
- The tablemats are made from recycled plastic coffee cups and coasters in the bedrooms are made of glass or slate
The garden
- We maintain the garden primarily for the benefit of the local wildlife. Most of the grass is left to set seed and as a result many other plant species are appearing and a wide range of insects can be observed. This in turn has attracted birds, amphibians and mammals to the garden
- We feed the birds (and field mice) at feeding stations around the lodge and provide nest boxes in the garden
Personal
- We are members of and support the John Muir Trust which protects wild places including Ben Nevis, donations made by guests for lifts in to Fort William are passed to the Trust. In addition we are members of the Lochaber Environmental Group, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (a British charity) and donate to Farm Africa and Sightsavers. As keen nature lovers we enjoy fostering guest’s interest in the local wildlife by providing encouragement, books and binoculars.
What next?
- Construct a pond to encourage more species to visit the garden
- Improve access to our hillside
- Increase the number and variety of nest boxes to include boxes for swallows, sparrows and bats
- Grow more fruit and vegetables
- Keep chickens? (our local supplier retires soon)
- Try different cutting regimes on the grass areas
- Encourage guests to recycle
- Keep a more detailed record of species found/seen in the garden
- Investigate alternative energy sources
