Green Tourism
Attadale has become a greener business, which is why we have registered the Attadale Gardens with Green Tourism. Green Tourism is a sustainable tourism certification programme that has over 2000 members and is the largest such programme in the world. We are proud to say we have been awarded Sliver.
In the context of this programme, we have started developing a Green Policy for the Gardens. The current version of our Green Policy can be found below.
If you are currently travelling around the Highlands, perhaps you would like to visit other Green Tourism businesses? Some of them are within a 50-mile radius from Attadale, as the crow flies. There are - amongst others - the following Visitor Attractions and Inns/Restaurants:
· National Nature Reserve Beinn Eighe
· Sealife Glass Bottom Boat Gairloch
· National Trust for Scotland sites: Balmacara Estate and Lochalsh Woodland Walks, Inverewe Garden, Torridon and Kintail and Morvich
· The Three Chimneys and The House Over-By
These, as well as other attractions in the area, can also be found in the Local Attractions section of our website.
Apart from our own Attadale Holiday Cottages (graded by Green Tourism), there are other places to stay in the area which are registered in the Green Tourism programme – for example:
The Torridon - http://www.thetorridon.com/
Kings Arms Hotel, Kyleakin - http://www.bespokehotels.com/kingsarmshotel
Aurora Bed and Breakfast, Shieldaig - http://www.aurora-bedandbreakfast.co.uk/
Dunollie Hotel, Broadford - http://www.bespokehotels.com/dunolliehotel
SYHA Youth Hostels ( https://www.syha.org.uk ): Broadford, Torridon, Gairloch, Ratagan, Glen Affric, Glenbrittle and Portree.
Additionally, if you would like to find out more, why not go to a visitor information centre? There are 11 offices of VisitScotland in the Highlands that are also in the Green Tourism programme. You can find these VisitScotland VIC in Portree, Ullapool, Lochinver, Durness, Drumnadrochit, Fort William, Strontian, Inverness, Aviemore, Daviot Wood, and North Kessock.
While you are visiting, we would invite you to help our business work in a sustainable way. There are a few little things you could do, such as making recycling easier for us by throwing your cups in the tearoom in the correct bin. You can find a more detailed list on how to make your visit sustainable below. Thank you!
Green Policy
Here at Attadale Gardens we are trying our best to make our business more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Even though this is a small enterprise, we firmly believe it is possible for us to do so. Certain aspects of a more sustainable business are already present, some are being adapted at the moment and yet others are in the planning stage.
Energy
We are currently having converters installed into our lights – so that when the currently used lightbulbs are “finished”, we can start using LED-lights.
Water
No chlorine treatment: The drinking water is treated with a UV-filter instead of chlorine.
Eco-friendly cleaning products: We are in the process of changing our cleaning material (which is used for the D.I.Y. tearoom and the toilets) to more environmentally friendly products. By doing this, less harmful substances enter the water.
Dog Waste Disposal
We have our own sites specially designed for the disposal of dog waste and we also provide free biodegradable dog waste bags.
Supporting the Use of Public Transport
We would like to encourage visitors to travel to the Attadale Gardens by train. Attadale has its own train station which is only a few steps away from the Gardens. Visitors who can show a valid train ticket will receive a free copy of the Attadale Gardens Guidebook (worth £3.00), the latest 2015 edition.
Local Attractions: Other things to do & see in the area
We will gladly provide you with information on other places to visit in the area, as well as on where you can go locally to eat & drink. This supports local businesses and is better for the environment because the travelling distance is smaller.
Feedback
We much appreciate feedback and suggestions – whether in our efforts to become sustainable or in our visitors’ experiences in the Attadale Gardens in general. Please see the contact section of our website for details on how get in touch with us.
Towards a Sustainable Visit
We very much hope that you will enjoy your visit at Attadale Gardens!
As a business that is trying to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable, we very much appreciate any assistance on your part! Should you be interested and wish to help us: We have compiled a few suggestions below, a list of things you could do.
Thank you!
Saving Energy & Water
There are not too many possibilities for visitors here to save energy & water. However, you might consider – in the cases where there are no sensors – switching off lightbulbs and turning off the taps (in tearoom and toilets), when either are not needed anymore.
Recycling
We would like to invite you to throw all recyclables and rubbish from the tearooms in the appropriate bins. This also makes the correct disposal easier for us.
Disposal of Dog Waste
It would very much help us if you would dispose of any dog waste in biodegradable dog waste bags and at the two designated sites. We will gladly provide you with dog waste bags at the pay hut, the main entrance to the Gardens.
Using public transport
We would like to encourage you to visit Attadale Gardens by train. Attadale has its own train station, along the beautiful Inverness-Kyle line. Attadale train station is only a few steps away from the Gardens. Visitors who can show a valid train ticket will receive a free copy of the Attadale Gardens Guidebook (worth £3.00), the latest 2016 edition!
Supporting local businesses
By going to eat & drink locally, as well as visiting places in the area, you support local businesses. For this we are always very grateful! It also means that you need to travel less to get there, which is good for the environment as well. You can find more information in the Local Attractions and Green Tourism sections of our website.
