In the house we ….

… try to use low energy bulbs (some exceptions)

… have installed solar panels on rear extension roof and now making lots of our own energy

… have installed NEST which stops the boiler heating an empty house

…only make up the required number of beds to reduce laundry

… never tumble dry bed linen  (it is all line or pulley dried)

… ask you to set aside any unused towels so that they are not washed unnecessarily

…. encourage and make provision for re-cycling

 … have replaced old windows and sky-lights with high quality double glazed units and have insulated the entire roof to reduce fuel usage

… replace old electrical appliances with a minimum of A-rated energy use

… provide recycled or sustainable toilet roll and kitchen roll and use re-cycled stationary

... provide biodegradable bamboo dishwashing cloths, loofah scourers and natural wood/bristle brushes, which can be reused and and composted at end of life

… Bio-D are a British company who produce ethical, environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic products.  We now provide their handwash and washing–up liquid.  We buy on bulk and top up with pump action dispensers.  We use Smol pods for dishwasher and laundry (plastic free, and delivered on bulk)

….  we have swopped our cleaning products from individual use chemical sprays, to re-fillable, environmentally friendly (plant based) products from another British company called Eco.3.  These allow us to re-use our spray bottles.  Sometimes, Method spray bottles are used (left by guests).

… we have started using Muck Munchers in our septic tank to reduce the amount of waste needing to be collected by tanker.  We also use environmentally friendly bleach for the toilet which does not reduce the efficiency of the septic tank, or affect wildlife from the soak-away

… swop to heavy curtains on windows and doors in the winter months

We are trying to reduce our impact on the environment in the following ways:

If you have any other suggestions to make Lagganvoulin greener, please let us know! 

In the garden we ….

… have removed 5 mature ‘at risk’ trees, but have planted 25 young native trees, and we are trying to establish mixed native hedging and a small orchard!

… do not use slug pellets, rat/mouse poison or weedkiller (apart from once a year on the gravel drive)

… collect and season fir cones to use as fire starters for the stove (please don’t use fresh cones from the lawn to burn as they contain too much moisture and tar which can harm the chimney)

… provide bird food for guests to fill the feeders, and have created log piles and a pond for wildlife.  We have been trying to establish a meadow for bees (without much success), and are planting bee and butterfly friendly plants.  We provide variety of nuts to encourage red squirrels.

... we will install whisky barrel water butts to eliminate using mains water for the garden.

Welcome to ​Lagganvoulin

Self Catering Cottage, near Tomintoul  in the Scottish Highlands 

Our Energy Performance Ratings (Sept 2024):

             Energy efficiency is 87 (high B)

             Environmentally friendly =80 (very high C)