3The Scotsman Saturday 2 February 2008Green HolidaysBESPOKE OPTION
Cycling around
Amsterdam is a good
way to enjoy an
environmentally
friendly holidayPicture: Phil WilkinsonAngela Dewar
finds there are numerous eco-friendly holidays availableby thousandsof nativetrees, totradi-
tional yurts in the grounds of Rydal Hall
in the Lake District.
InEurope, thereareself-catering
apartments on an organic farm in Ibiza,
futuristicsnow podsintheAlps anda
fairytale house in a Norwegian forest.
There are plenty of ethical holidays on
offertoo 8230solar-powered HotelMock-
ingbird Hallin Jamaicahas twicewon
the CaribbeanGreen Hotelof theYear
aw a r d.
The Sukau RainforestLodge in
Malaysian Borneois alow-impact eco-
lodge designed in the style of a
Malaysianlonghousewith 20roomson
stilts above a siltedriver backed by the
dense jungle. The only access to the
lodge is by boat and the rooms are
comfortable but basic.
Of course,a greenholiday ismuch
morethanwhereyou restyourheadat
night. It8217s thewhole eco experience
which has really made a revival with the
concept of slow travel.
That could mean cycling around Am-
sterdam and thesurrounding country-
side or walking the West Highland Way.
It could also be riding on the back of a
camel across the sand dunes of the
Saharaor driftingdown themighty
Mekong riverthrough thestunning
scenery of thehidden away south-east
Asian gem of Laos.
Ifthe thoughtof aflightto theother
side of the world makes you baulk at the
size ofyour carbonfootprint, takethe
train south and across the Channel to
hire abarge andmeander downthe
Canal deBourgogne inFrance, through
the Burgundy wine region.
As yet there is no worldwide accredi-
tation scheme for eco tourism. If you are
holidayingathome, lookformembersHOLIDAY 2008PAGE 5IslandsMain attractions off the mainlandPAGE 7H i gh l a n d sMountains of destinationsPAGES 8-9A rg yl lA trip round one Scotland8217s most varied cornersPAGE 11Dumfries and GallowayThe warm-hearted south-westPAGE 13Pe r t h s h i reThe historic heart of ScotlandPAGE 17S elf-cateringLodging while dodging too much expensePAGE 19Fi n e s tThe prime points of ScotlandPAGE 21Charity breaksHolidaying with a clear consciencePAGE 23N o r wayIn search of the Northern LightsPAGE 25G olfGetting on course in BrittanyEditor: Stuart Farquhar
0131-620 8879
Design: Andrew Rainey, Nicola d8217Alpuget
Production: Tom Hunter, Tom Maxwell,
Gabe Stewart, Ben White
Cover: Dusk over Tarbert by Donald MacLeodSaddle up and go greenBETWEEN carbon offsetting,
slow travel and a bewildering
choice ofeco-chic hotels,plan-
ning agreen holidayhas never
been so confusing.
We desperately want a break to relax
and seea bit ofthe world, butthe threat
of environmental responsibility looms
large.Itisstill possibletotravelwitha
clear conscienceif youknow which
route to take.
Holidaying closer to home is the an-
swer for some people8211 no polluting air
miles, no queues at airport security and
thesimplepleasureof beingatouristin
your own country.
Ifyouwantto gofurtherafield,there
are a few pointers to bear in mind.
A greenholiday doesn8217thave tomean
cycling there,sleeping ina tentand
washing your face in the morning dew. It
can justas easily bea city breakor a
conservation experience in a remote
wilderness. The importantthing about
going green is that it8217s all about being
easyon theenvironment andmaking
suretheholiday benefitsthelocal
people.
Firstof all,reducetheimpact ofyour
stay on the local area. Don8217t waste elec-
tricity andwater andreduce wasteand
pollution, it all helps the vital conserva-
tionof biodiversity.Respect localcul-
turesand traditionalvalues andspend
your money locally to boost the econ-
o m y.
The choiceof ecodestinations isend-
less, if you8217relooking for inspiration,
check outwebsites likewww.responsi-
bletravel.com, www.greentrav-
eller.co.uk and www.tourismcon-
cern.org.uk. They feature everything
from the stylish Blue Reef Cottages on
Harris with turf-rooftops, surrounded
of theGreen TourismBusiness Scheme,
which recogniseshotels andtravel
companiesthat arehelping toimprove
the environment.
Alternatively, overseas, choose opera-
tors or accommodation which was been
recognised inrespectable schemeslike
the Tourism forTomorrow awards and
First Choice Responsible Tourism
aw a r d s .Melfort Pier & HarbourHappy Holidays with your 8220Best Friend8221It is that time of the year again that we are
thinking where to go for a short break or
our summer holiday. But having two dogs
are not easy, many hotels have stopped
taking dogs. My veterinarian told me about
8220Melfort Pier & Harbour8221
on the
beautiful shore of Loch Melfort, only 20
South of Oban, on the West Coast. Melfort Pier & Harbour allows two dogs per house.There
are 16 houses scattered on the shore of the Loch.It has
two beaches and our Labradors were swimming every
day.
The house have under floor heating so they dried up
fast.Lots of hill walking and NO traffic.As we say this is
a
8220DOGS PARADISE!8221
Not too bad for us too.Every house has a sauna, spa
bath, two T.V's.Most have logs fires, and there is free
fire wood to start.One can stay for a day or two or a
week or more.
When you arrive, all the beds are made and the towels
are warm and ready to use.If you do not want to cook,
there is a friendly family restaurant on site.Do not want
to go out, they will deliver right to your front door.There
is Wifi.They allow 2 pets per house, so one can brings
their cat, hamster, parrot etc.Call for more information01852-200-333or check out their web sitewww.mellowmelfort.com
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