Green Tourism & Our Commitment to the Environment

The Scottish Crannog Centre is a charitable and independent 5 Star heritage centre which features Scotland's only authentic recreation of an Iron Age loch-dwelling. Built by our underwater archaeologists, the thatched roundhouse on stilts is based directly on the results of our excavations in Loch Tay. Facilities include exhibition hall, giftshop, guided crannog tours, 'hands-on' ancient crafts and activity area, regular special events and rural craft skills workshops. A loch-side woodland walk is also being created. We work closely with local and national organisations to promote awareness and enjoyment of Scotland's cultural and natural resources. The Centre has won three environmental awards: the prestigious Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme; a VIBES award; and a Scottish National Business Award for environmental management.

The Scottish Crannog Centre is dedicated to operating and educating in an environmentally responsible manner. We recycle building and other materials, harvest timber and plants in accordance with sustainable woodland management agreements, and we sell eco-friendly products in our giftshop. We encourage all staff to buy Fair Trade and organic products wherever possible for use at work and at home. In addition, we aim to be informed about local amenities and sites of cultural and environmental interest so that we may give useful advice or recommendations to both residents and visitors to the area. As a result of these and other policies, we have gained the prestigious GOLD Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme in Scotland. The scheme promotes best practice and encourages businesses to reduce their impact on the environment. See also www.green-business.co.uk

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Our 'official' environmental statement covers relevant areas of administration, energy use, giftshop ethics and green suppliers, the crannog itself, our activities area, refreshment kiosk, transport issues, waste management, and communication practices. For further information, please contact us by email at info@crannog.co.uk.

Meantime, we are people people: we work closely with local businesses and individuals especially in joint special events; we promote local producers and craftspeople in our giftshop and cafe, and we like to think we live as responsibly as our ancestors did. Why not come and meet us to find out more?

We are within two hours' travelling distance from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. Our nearest main bus and train station is Pitlochry, some 20 miles from our Centre. From there buses run to Aberfeldy and Kenmore, where it is easy to hire bicycles and boats, or a guide for a walking or wildlife tour. Try www.traveline.org.uk.

Bicycles may be secured to railings outside the reception area. There is also a 'hitching post' for dogs out front in a shaded area as we can only allow guidedogs inside.

GREEN PROJECTS

The ancient crannog dwellers were great users of willow and hazel. For thousands of years these woods used to be coppiced and well-managed in Perthshire, but the practice died out some 30 years ago. As we are also great users of these woods, we already plant willow but we are looking for sites to regenerate or to establish new coppice in conjunction with local estate owners and woodland organisations. The benefits include improved habitats for wildlife, sustainable products, rural skills training, and job opportunities. If you are interested in supporting this work, please contact us at info@crannog.co.uk or by telephone +44(0)1887 830583.