A LUXURY hotel near Loch Lomond has gone for gold in sustainability with the help of a Helensburgh wildlife association.

Cameron House has received the gold award from Green Tourism for its level of commitment to running a sustainable hospitality business led by the hotel's dedicated conversation team. 

The five-star resort has been adopting numerous practices as part of its Green Statement. 

This includes reducing electricity consumption across the entire resort, with the hotel switching to a 100 per cent renewable electricity tariff starting from October 1.

Additionally, over 30 electric charging stations have been installed throughout the resort for guest use, along with the introduction of electric fleet vehicles.

Senior employees can also take advantage of a salary sacrifice scheme, enabling them to drive electric cars while enjoying substantial cost savings.

Cameron House has received the gold award from Green TourismCameron House has received the gold award from Green Tourism (Image: Cameron House)

Jim Brown, director of estates and sustainability at Cameron House, said: “All at Cameron House are delighted to be recognised for our commitment to sustainability.

"We are incredibly proud to be presented with a Green Tourism Gold award and we acknowledge our continuing responsibilities to share and support the best green practice where possible.

"Looking ahead, we are excited to continue our positive relationship with Green Tourism and to further improve our environmental and sustainable credentials.”

The team are always looking at new ways to reduce waste, including diverting 99 per cent of waste from landfill and ensuring to recycle mixed plastics and cardboard.

Across its array of bars and restaurants, the menus focus on locally sourced produce, where possible, to reduce food miles and support the local economy, whilst further efforts are in place to utilise sustainable suppliers.

The on-site conservation and green teams have also been key to help promote and protect the natural beauty of the loch and its surrounding countryside.

The conservation team are adopted several practices across the hotel's resortThe conservation team are adopted several practices across the hotel's resort (Image: Cameron House)

This includes encouraging native wildlife and increasing local biodiversity, from protected on-site beehives from The Helensburgh and District Beekeepers Association, to installing bird, bat and owl boxes resort wide and establishing wildflower meadows and nature sanctuaries for guests to enjoy such as ‘The Untidy Garden’ and ‘The Enchanted Wood’.

The hotel has also introduced an umbrella hire scheme for guests, where a tree is planted for every umbrella hired, which has already seen a total of 2,581 trees planted in the past six months alone.

Andrea Nicholas, CEO of Green Tourism, added: “The commitment to sustainability is so clearly part of the DNA of Cameron House, delivered by a passionate team and fully supported by top management.

"This has resulted in a wide range of green measures being successfully implemented at the hotel which do not distract from the luxury or comfort of a guest’s but instead enhance and complement the hotel’s beautiful heritage, culture and wonderful natural surroundings.”