Green Hotels And Eco-Friendly Accommodation in Scotland

Scotland's stunning landscapes, natural heritage, wildlife, castles and historic buildings are what makes our country so fantastic to visit; and they need protecting for future generations. Help make your next trip to Scotland more sustainable by choosing environmentally-friendly accommodation and stay in a green hotel or eco hotel. There are plenty to choose from whether you stay in a green lodge, or would prefer a rustic eco cabin.

What Does Green Tourism Mean?

Green, Sustainable Tourism, or Responsible Tourism encourages visitors to Scotland to consider the impact their visit has on the environment. There are lots of ways we can help protect Scotland from the impacts of over-tourism, including considering where and when we visit, choosing sustainable and active ways to travel, and staying in environmentally-friendly accommodation.

This report from July 2019 stated that the value of nature based tourism to Scotland’s economy was around £1.4bn per year, supporting 39,000 jobs and making up almost 40% of all tourism spending in Scotland. Environmentally friendly holidays such as eco camping really make a difference!

Tourism Declares Initiative

VisitScotland are committed to do as much as we can to get Scotland known around the world as a responsible destination. In November 2020, we became the first national tourism organisation to sign up to the Tourism Declares initiative. Working alongside our partners Wild Scotland and Sail Scotland, this initiative aims to help businesses reduce carbon emissions while the industry begins to recover from the effects of COVID-19.

Watch this space for more on responsible tourism.

Eco-Friendly Accommodation In Scotland

It is easy to be green in Scotland. Being eco-friendly no longer means getting off the grid and bathing in rainwater - unless you want to that is! Green accommodation in Scotland is easy to find, and options range from cosy eco cottages, quirky hostels, modern glamping pods, and self-catering eco-lodges, to grand castles and luxury green hotels - the choices are endless. Here are just a few of your options.

Types of eco-friendly accommodation

No matter what type of eco-friendly accommodation in Scotland you are looking for, there is a whole array to choose from so you can enjoy your environmentally friendly holidays. From eco-friendly hotels and go green self catering, to eco cottages and green tourism accommodation, what will you choose?

Eco Hostels

Looking for a budget-friendly and social way to see Scotland? Choose an eco hostel. Loch Ossian Youth Hostel on the banks of Loch Ossian has an environmentally-friendly back-to-basics approach to green holidays, with sustainable comforts, such as their power source coming from a wind turbine.

Eco Holiday Parks

Got the family, the dog and the kitchen sink with you? Pitch up at an environmentally-friendly holiday park. Seton Sands Holiday Village in Port Seton, East Lothian has adventure trails and a beach onsite. Nature is at the heart of this eco holiday destination and it has a Green Tourism award to prove it. You could also try an eco retreat at an eco farm park in Scotland. Check out these farm experiences to try in Scotland!

Glamping

Combine a little luxury with traditional camping and you get glamping! Go green and stay in a luxury 5-star glamping eco pod on the estate of Dundas Castle in South Queensferry for an eco-friendly holiday. The pods are completely sustainable with composting toilets, and solar and propane power, whilst still being glamorous. The ultimate affordable eco resort!

B&Bs

We love B&B's in Scotland, and at The Dulaig in the Cairngorms National Park you can tuck into eggs for breakfast from their very own flock of chickens, admire an array of wild birds in the garden, and relax in the knowledge that the B&B has a Gold Green Tourism award.

Go Green Self-Catering

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lewis Longhouse (@lewislonghouse)

If you fancy feeling right at home at an eco tourism resort, book into self-catering accommodation in Scotland. Try the Lewis Longhouse which is located right next to the beach on the east side of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Fully equipped in an ideal setting, all you need for a fabulous holiday experience!

Lodges

Lodge holidays in Scotland offer a way to get back to nature. Designed with the environment in mind, the Eco Lodges at the Mains in Croy fuse state-of-the-art green technology and luxury eco lodge living to ensure that you have a fantastic break without harming the earth.

Castles

Many of Scotland's castles offer the opportunity for you to stay the night. On the Mull of Kintyre, Torrisdale Castle invites all their guests to plant a tree to off-set their carbon emissions - remember to come back and see how it's doing!

Eco Hotels

Looking for luxury without harming the planet? The plush Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow city centre plays its part in being a sustainable eco hotel through its efficient boiler system, recycling initiative and use of local suppliers, to name a few green touches. But whatever your budget, Scotland has plenty of eco hotels and green hotels to choose from including the Busta House Hotel in Shetland and the Fairmont in St Andrews. 

Cottages

If you're looking for an eco-friendly holiday cottage, Scotland offers many to choose from. Head to The Byre in Aviemore and cosy up next to an authentic wood burning fire, or stay in the Hen Hoose near Galashiels in the Scottish Borders where you'll never be short of organic free range eggs for breakfast.

Conservation Holidays in Scotland

These are holidays with a twist, sure to give you that feel-good factor. Who says holidays can't be productive? Feel good while doing good.

• National Trust for Scotland Thistle Camps
• Trees for Life conservation holidays