MORE INFORMATION

The enviroment

The original house was built in 1877, refurbished in 2005 adding new (but old style) gym, spa and billiards room. Stone comes from the estate, wood used for insulation and 250-year-old slates recycled (bought in at 75p a time). Repointing of main house by Scottish Lime Trust. Sites of Special Scientific Interest on site, work with Scottish National Heritage.

The rooms

Cleaning products from in:spa or Boden Bridge - in-room treats are organic and natural. Toilets double flush in the lodge and new house.

Energy conservation

Hydro will supply hot water. On site turbine drives electric fence. No policy of intelligent lighting systems but Paul “hates a light being left on.” Shotgun shells used are steel, not lead. Rainwater harvesting in greenhouses. Septic tank.

Conservation and improving local wildlife

Wants to offer locals a night for £50 in off-season. Works with Outreach programme - kids who have difficulting connecting. Longer term plan to hav interpretative centre. Paul Lister has spent £4m on project so far.

Social responsibility

The estate has recruited 19 staff (although not all local) - developing skills (got a window maker up from Dornoch).

Food

Seafood from the west, local lamb. Highland cows will be slaughtered on site, and venison plus boar to the abattoir. Also rabbit from the estate and looking to introduce grouse. Currently use an organic butcher in Bona Bridge - will also be contracting Highland Wholesale in Inverness - "primarily" organic flour and pasta. Organic bread from Dornoch.

Make own cakes, biscuits, sorbet plus preserves and jams. Plan to make own cheese. Fruit and veg from Tain, not organically certified. Grow on herbs and now strawberries. Head chef David Taverna spent six months working on an organic farm in Italy - on the menu that night was Shetland salmon, shellfish bisque and venison carpaccio.

Activities and transport

Yes, 16 bikes provided for use. Public transport - plane or train, then taxis. No alternative fuel - looking at electric carts but “not sure they can take the terrain.”

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