Ancient past inspires green future of tourist accommodation

Mobile eco cabin based on Perthshire crannogs

A prototype eco cabin inspired by Perthshire’s Bronze Age crannogs could revolutionise tourist accommodation, claims the designer.

Entrepreneur Fiona van Aswegen has joined forces with Comrie Croft, an award winning community-owned eco farm, to launch a crowdfunding campaign to build the world’s first “go anywhere” 100% off-grid renewables cabin.

Inspired by ancient dwellings, the Kranôg brings together existing green off-grid technologies to create a luxury cabin, using renewable energy and rainwater. There will be no need for a mains connection, no waste, no pollution and no bills, says the designer.

The design is modular and does not need intrusive foundations, so can easily be located anywhere using standard farm machinery and falls within “light touch” mobile home planning and building regulations.

The hope is that it will open up new possibilities for rural and remote communities to earn a living from eco tourism without spoiling the landscape and environment.

The Kranôg is being designed and built in Scotland and will have a life span of 80 years.

Fiona said: “Following three years of research and independent testing, a twobedroom prototype is ready to build and Comrie Croft offers the ideal location where every aspect can be tested in the real world.

“We are really delighted with the early response to the crowdfunding, with people from all over the world joining the campaign.”

Andrew Donaldson, founder of Comrie Croft, said: “The Kranôg is designed to change the world of holiday accommodation.

“On one hand it challenges guests to think about how they use resources – for instance if you leave the tap running then you’ll run out of filtered rainwater and will have to manually pump more.

“On the other hand we hope it could mark the beginning of the end for poorly insulated, high depreciation mobile homes and lodges.”

The first prototype Kranôg will cost £150,000 to build, and while funding has been secured from partners, they still need £70,000.

It challenges guests to think about how they use resources. FOUNDER ANDREW DONALDSON

An artist’s impression of the prototype eco cabin which it is hoped will be built at Comrie Croft in Perthshire.