At Cameron House, we’re blessed to work where we do. So we’re committed to protecting our natural environment in every way we can. This includes employing a dedicated Resort Conservation Manager and appointing Green Committee representatives from each department.
We have a shared responsibility to look after our planet and we rigorously apply this philosophy – from disposing of our rubbish correctly to picking up litter to recycling to saving energy. For our resort conservation team, it also means encouraging local wildlife, increasing feeding opportunities, and protecting their natural environments.
We currently hold a ‘Silver’ award from Green Tourism and are working hard to achieve the coveted Gold award. Below are some of our initiatives that are helping us become a more sustainable business. This includes managing pollution on our golf courses to supporting the resort conservation team to improve natural habitats of the creatures we share the resort with.
Read Our Green Statement here.
CONSERVING OUR NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
At Cameron House on Loch Lomond, we are proud of where we live. Our cultural heritage is deeply rooted in the Scottish landscape: the lochs, the munros and everything in between. As such, we take our environmental responsibility very seriously. We have a comprehensive green statement which outlines our sustainability road map which you can read here.
In the Resort Wildlife Guide, you can find out about the rich biodiversity we have across our sites, and where you're likely to spot some local wildlife.
We also run a series of sustainability focussed initiatives across the resort. An overview of our current initiatives can be found below.
THE GREEN TEAM
We have a great deal of committed staff members in place throughout Clan Cameron. From a dedicated team devising and steering green policies to be in line with our sustainable development goals, to the sustainability champions who are the driving force of these policies across all departments. This is helping to make a real reduction to our energy usage, waste output, and emissions.
BEE CONSERVATION
Worryingly, bees are in decline worldwide. And we’re doing all we can to improve life for bees and butterflies across the resort. We don’t use insecticides, leave room for grasses and wild flowers to grow, and have various hives on our 400 acres, run by the Helensburgh and District Beekeepers Association. If you do come across the hives, please keep your distance.
The primary motivation behind The Bee Garden, near the bridge on The Carrick, was the UK’s declining bee population. The garden contains lots of bee-friendly plants that flower between March and September when you’ll see lots of bees, insects and butterflies. To create your own bee-friendly garden, Green Tourism has a list of top 10 bee-friendly gardening tips for beginners.
BAT CONSERVATION
Cameron House estate and The Carrick provide the ideal habitat for various species of Bats like the Daubenton’s and Soprano Pipistrelle Bat. All Bat species are protected by law in the U.K and we want to make sure they’re well looked after. We have 14 bat boxes carefully located around the Carrick (including 2 heated boxes) and 9 around the Cameron House estate.
THE ENCHANTED WOOD AND THE UNTIDY GARDEN
Once an overgrown area of woodland between the Carrick’s 17th tee and 18th green, The Enchanted Wood is now a beautiful wildlife haven. There you can find a figure of eight path for all ages to enjoy. Sit and relax on the benches as you watch the family discover the Hobbit house, the mini-beast hotel, and the play den. See if you can spot all the fairy doors hidden about the wood.
The Untidy Garden is a wildflower meadow project developed on previously unused land up at the Carrick. Left to grow wild, you’ll see bursts of colours here right from Spring to Autumn, that provides food and shelter to birds, bees, and insects.
SUSTAINABLE RESORT ACTIVITIES
Promoting sustainable activities to visitors is an essential. Here’s what we’re doing to promote more sustainable activities:
Walking Trails
Take a walk around and explore the Cameron House estate along our various walking trails. Venture even further afield and discover some of the breath-taking views the likes of Conic Hill and Ben Lomond have to offer.
Bike and E-Bike Hire
Our resort is lucky enough to be located along the National Cycle Route 7, and we’ve recently invested in adult and child mountain bikes and electric bikes to hire. We encourage you to get outdoors and explore the local area in a sustainable fashion.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Explore the spectacular waters of Loch Lomond in a kayak or on a paddleboard, with magnificent views across the water to the imposing peak of Ben Lomond, this is the perfect experience.
RESORT WILDLIFE GUIDE
Walking Trails
Greengage ECOsmart is an industry standard accreditation awarded to hotels and meeting venues that can demonstrate an eco-friendly service approach in five key areas.
1. Energy and water conservation
2. Waste management & recycling
3. Rooms and facilities
4. Food and beverage
5. Corporate and social responsibility
Green Tourism
In 2019, we received silver status by Green Tourism, an organisation which aims to make the tourism industry more sustainable. We are submitting our assessment this year with the aim of attaining gold status.