Cairngorm Bothies and Cairngorm Lodges, located in Aboyne, has achieved the highest environmental accolade after securing Gold Green Tourism awards for both its lodges and off-grid bothies.
The dual gold certification recognises the self-catering business's strict commitment to sustainable hospitality and low-impact operations. Supervised by Green Tourism—the UK's leading sustainability accreditation body for the tourism sector—the grading process assesses businesses across rigorous criteria including energy efficiency, waste management, community support, and biodiversity.
Operating within a 100-year-old Scots pine forest on the Blelack Estate, the 12 boutique bothies function entirely off-grid. Heating and cooking facilities are powered by high-efficiency wood burners fueled by waste wood from the estate's own sustainable forestry operations, while guests are encouraged to participate in low-carbon living via a dedicated visitor charter. The adjacent lodges have similarly been recognised for their eco-conscious management and alignment with Aberdeenshire’s green tourism strategy.
The achievement positions the accommodation provider at the forefront of the region’s sustainable travel market, matching growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible stays.
Gordon Drummond, owner of Cairngorm Bothies and Cairngorm Lodges, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have achieved Gold Green Tourism awards for both our bothies and our lodges. It represents a massive amount of hard work behind the scenes to ensure our operations meet the highest possible environmental standards.
"True sustainability is at the heart of everything we build here in Royal Deeside. This recognition validates our mission to show that high-quality holiday experiences can go hand-in-hand with strict climate action and deep respect for our local woodland environment."
www.cairngormbothies.co.uk
www.cairngormlodges.co.uk