Once upon a time the future of eco-friendly tourism in Scotland was precariously held together by the ropes of your “authentic” hessian tepee – a lopsided holiday home in a muddy field.
Spa facilities meant a death-defying dip in a burn and shivering yourself dry before an eye-wateringly smoky campfire while being stabbed by a million midgies.
An awful lot has changed.
Research by Scottish Natural Heritage notes visitor spending attributable to nature-based tourism per year is £1.4 billion, with the equivalent of 39,000 full-time jobs. Meanwhile, Scottish Enterprise has urged businesses to ensure global marketing of the nation’s tourism industry is aligned with sustainable objectives.
The desire to be eco-friendly on holiday, however, no longer means damp spirits and a dearth of fundamentals: hot water, fluffy towels, dry clothes. Welcome to the new age of planet-friendly, homegrown hospitality.
This is a world where we can enjoy Scotland’s natural scenery and the revitalising essences of its outdoors, yet still rest our heads on soft pillows and sleep soundly, knowing we haven’t expended vast amounts of carbon for a taste of adventure.
One of the flagships for highly principled, high-end tourism with a conscience is Torrisdale Castle Estate in Kintyre, which sits in its own forested glen, with views over Kilbrannan Sound to Arran.
While it extends to 1200 acres and offers let properties, a self-catering holiday business and, of course, a castle, at the heart of this enterprise is one founding principle: a focus on sustainability.
Recently diversifying into renewables, Torrisdale has installed a hydro scheme and a biomass boiler. This means it’s using Scotland’s most abundant asset – rain – to produce electricity and burning local, sustainable wood to power the boiler. And unless you have ambitions to be the new Bear Grylls, no more dips in the burn: Torrisdale has its own wood-burning eco hot tub and sauna.
The hydro scheme will also soon help power a small-batch gin distillery, with a visitor centre and weekend schools for anyone keen on learning more about Scotland’s water of life du jour.
Owner and manager Niall Macalister Hall points out: “Many of the botanicals for the Beinn an Tuirc labelled product – Torrisdale is located in the lee of Beinn an Tuirc, Kintyre’s highest peak – will be sourced right here. The resulting Kintyre Gin will be created from the same fast water in the Lephincorrach Burn that helps power its creation. An electric still will produce the gin, which will itself be entirely run from the hydro scheme.”
Two brands of gin are being made at Torrisdale initially: Kintyre Gin and a navy strength version called Viking Strength. Further products are planned, including flavoured spirits using the soft fruits and apples grown in the estate’s newly restored Victorian walled garden.
“A farmhouse is also being transformed into the hub for a guided visitor experience centre, with informative tours and a tasting room,” says Macalister Hall. “Maintaining the project’s sustainability is a priority and visitors will have the chance to plant native trees, including juniper, which will go on to produce a own self-sustaining crop for us.”
He insists that having green credentials is not only one of Torrisdale’s unique selling points, it’s also a fundamental strength for Scottish tourism as a whole.
“At Torrisdale we’ve very deliberately followed a sustainable route,” he says. “Not only does the hydro scheme provide green energy, it also offers us the ability to generate income, allowing us to plan ahead and invest in new enterprises for the future.
“Initiatives such as the Kintyre Gin project are all the more important for the local community by the simple fact they are based on sustainable methods with long-term rewards for both Scottish tourism and the entire planet.”
TRAVEL NOTES
Torrisdale Castle Estate offers a variety of accommodation options, including the Servants’ Quarters in the castle itself, an apartment with luxury self-catering facilities.
Outdoor pursuits on the estate include wildlife watching and walking, while golf, horseriding and mountain biking are all available nearby.
The Servants’ Quarters sleeps six and costs from £800 a week.
Visit www.torrisdalecastle.com or call 01583 431233.
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