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Environment, Travel

A Greener Christmas: Sustainable Celebrations

Is this post too late? Hopefully not – there are still a few days until Christmas. Continuing the theme, ‘Christmas doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet’.

This is a time for joy, love, and giving BUT it often comes with a surge in waste and environmental impact. This year, let’s strive for a greener Christmas by making conscious choices.

Here are a few simple ways to make your festive season more sustainable – that means having no or little negative impact on the planet and its resources. Focusing on ‘shopping, ‘gifting’ and ‘eco-friendly decorations’ in this blog.

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December 18, 2024
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Environment

A Greener Christmas: Small Steps, Big Impact

Having just read an Instagram post from Rosie of elouise MAKES about how she packages her beautiful ethical, animal based jewellery (made from recycled silver and gold) in fully recyclable parcel paper. She is on a mission to make this Christmas more sustainable.

Delving deeper I came across some staggering statistics, especially concerning how much wrapping paper that CAN’T be recycled is thrown away.

Christmas doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet. That’s what being more ‘sustainable’ means, having less effect on our planets resources. So this little blog is about all a few things you CAN easily do to make your Christmas ‘footprint’ less and make it a more sustainable Christmas, with a focus on paper.

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December 4, 2024
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Environment, Travel

My Favourite Tipple Just Got Sustainable!

A major draw for visitors to the Isle of Islay is to visit one or two of the top distilleries. There are more distilleries on this island, per square meter, than any other Scottish island. As a peaty whisky lover, Islay is a paradise for me, with Lagavulin my favourite brand. But there was a surprise in store for me.

Having taken many a whisky distillery in my time, this time I noticed something very different with our Lagavulin tour – they talked about the SUSTAINABLE aspects of their production, in particular with reference to water. I am a passionate supporter of organisations that take sustainability very seriously.

Until I got home and contacted them for more information, I didn’t understand the significance of what Diageo, the business behind Lagavulin, are working on in this regards. Discover this incredible story with me.

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November 29, 2024
3481
Environment, Travel

Another Place

Just the name itself attracts me!

Set on the tranquil shores of Ullswater in the Lake District, this somewhat contemporary hotel, ‘Another Place, The Lake‘, is nestled amongst the trees with breathtaking views of the fells and the lake. It’s quite a mystical spot in one respect, in that we arrive there and seem to relax instantly! For me this perfect holiday scenario is backed up by the hotel’s extensive ‘sustainability’ programme, of which I am learning much more this trip.

Imagine my joy when I found out that The Machrie, where we had booked to stay on the Isle of Islay, had been acquired by ‘Another Place’.

I had to find out what their plans were…..

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November 22, 2024
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Environment, Travel

Weren’t We Supposed to be Taking a Boat Trip Around Jura?

There’s only one way to really see the islands in the Inner Hebrides and that’s to get in a boat. Being on the Isle of Islay for a few days, seemed a perfect excuse to book a boat trip. When I booked Venture West and chatted to Sandy a boat trip around Jura fitted the bill. Picking up at Port Askaig on Islay, dropping in at the distillery of course, exploring remote shores and historic spots – being the home of George Orwell, where he wrote 1984. The Corryvreckan Whirlpool was also on the list, one of the largest permanent whirlpools in the world … in one of the most dangerous stretches of water around the British Isles! Gulp.

For me, I wanted to get close up to nature. With the hope of seeing dolphins, seals and birds of prey, a boat trip is one of the best ways to do this. Why? Being amongst nature inspires us to protect it.

But of course, the itinerary could change…

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November 10, 2024
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Environment, Travel

Meet Delta, the Caracara – the intelligent, and somewhat OCD Bird of Prey!

At The Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre

Come and meet the characters at the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre – and I don’t mean Stewart and Kevin, the very hands on owners and falconry experts at the centre. But the many rescued and restored to health hawks, owls, raptors and eagles and then some unexpected visitors like Delta, the Caracara.

But first, let me tell you why this centre is so important, why we actively support them and why you might consider doing the same.

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November 2, 2024
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Environment, Travel

Why Did I Want to Wild Water Swim in Scotland?

Three good reasons, it’s an exhilarating experience that combines adventure, natural beauty, and health benefits. With its vast array of lochs, rivers, and rugged coastlines, Scotland offers some of the most stunning and diverse wild swimming spots in the world.

Whether you’re plunging into the crystal-clear waters of Loch Lomond, navigating the bracing waves of the North Sea, or dipping into a secluded river pool in the Highlands, wild swimming in Scotland connects you directly with nature in a way that few other activities can.

Wet suit packed and ready, here’s what I tried…

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October 25, 2024
3638
Environment, Travel

Chef, Can You Please Make Some Jam?

Focusing on Nature at Glenapp Castle

Charming Glenapp Castle, all turrets and towers. Tucked away on the West Coast of Scotland, within walking distance of the little coastal town of Ballantrae, this ‘lesser-travelled’ part of the Scottish lowlands is where we kicked off a three week tour.

A somewhat ‘fairytale’ of a place, nestled in the trees, scarcely visible until you are on it, with tantalisingly long and windy gated drives as the only access. How would this first few days of our three week trip unfold…

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October 18, 2024
3686
Environment, Travel

The Boutique

Iconic Chewton Glen (Part 2)

Finding a gift shop in a 5 star hotel that has something different, local – well British at least – and perhaps if you are lucky enough, sustainable, is pretty rare I have found. More often than not you find expensive, generic brands that leave you with a sense of blandness and lack of creativity!

Keely van Dam, has brought something special to Chewton Glen’s gift shop. Shaped somewhat out of our experiences during the COVID pandemic, where small local independents came into their own as we took those early steps back into shared spaces, she delivers a totally different experience for guests and visitors….

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June 11, 2024
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