GREEN FOR GO
Environmentally friendly breaks to make you green with envy
Loch Ken Eco Bothies, Parton, Castle Douglas Reviewed by the Simpson family from Cumbria
On arrival we were greeted by the owner Richard, who gave us a warm welcome and showed us to our stunning eco-bothy which was situated in a picturesque spot on the shoreline of Loch Ken. The log-burning stove and wood-fired hot tub were both lit for us (as they were every day during our stay) and made us feel instantly at home. Home-made brownies, chocolates and soap – all made in the local area – were also kindly left for us. This innovative larch-clad eco-bothy is one of only two on site and perfectly complements the setting. It is completely off-grid so there were no electronic gadgets or television for the children... bliss! Solar panels provide power for the LED lights internally, although dinner and games by candlelight were preferable anyway, and the bothy is so well insulated that we were never cold on this particularly blustery March weekend. The accommodation was beautifully equipped with modern furniture, the beds were heavenly with extremely comfortable mattresses and crisp Egyptian cotton, and the shower room was contemporary, with a powerful shower. We enjoyed visiting attractions in the vicinity, and even ventured over to the coast near Carrick for an afternoon walk. But most of our time was spent in and around the bothy, watching the red kites fly overhead, or enjoying the glorious private hot tub under the stars (a must!) On the Saturday evening we ventured a few miles north to have a meal at the Clachan Inn in Dalry where we enjoyed a lovely two-course meal and great service. The eco-bothy forms part of the Galloway Activity Centre, so our eldest daughter enjoyed laser games in the woods with some other children, and Richard also kindly arranged for her to partake in climbing, abseiling and the zip wire. We already plan to re-visit in the summer when we can make use of the many water activities on offer, including the dedicated kayak that you are given at no charge, when you hire one of these bothies. All in all, a fantastic long weekend. Prices from £350 for three or four nights
The Hideaway Experience, by Dundee Reviewed by Madeleine Smith and Andrew Price from Edinburgh
Situated on a quiet farm, The Hideaway is the ultimate luxury escape. We arrived on a rainy afternoon to a very warm welcome and quickly settled in to our five-star surroundings. We jumped into the hot tub with a glass of bubbly -– only one step from the door so it didn’t matter about the rain. We dried off in the sauna before cooking dinner from our complimentary welcome pack of locally sourced meats. The Hideaway is eco-friendly with a wind turbine on site and hot water generated by air source heat pumps and solar thermal panels. After dinner, we relaxed in front of the log-burning stove in our fluffy bathrobes. The Hideaway is perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway. Prices from £299 per couple per night
Radisson Blu, Edinburgh Reviewed by Mark and Sara Duncan from Stirling
A short walk from Waverley station, on the Royal Mile you will find the Radisson Blu, a hotel with great green credentials. And we had decided it was greener to leave the car at home and travel by train. As luck would have it, we were given an upgraded superior room and it didn’t disappoint. After a dip in the hotel pool, we headed to the Itchycoo Bar & Kitchen for dinner. Our meal was delicious, as was the wine, and with full stomachs and merry heads we took an evening stroll along the Royal Mile before returning to our room. A restful night’s sleep was met with a hearty breakfast. Prices from £130 per night B&B