Green & Sustainable Businesses In Scotland

Learn about green and sustainable businesses in Scotland - find out what they are doing to be eco-friendly, and find attractions, accommodation and places to eat for your trip.

The Green Tourism scheme helps businesses reduce their environmental impact by caring for people, places and our planet. They assess over 70 things including carbon, waste, biodiversity, local produce, ethical purchasing and equality.

The scheme works across all types of business from accommodation to attractions, activities to tours.

  1. Galloway Gin Escape at Crafty Distillery Newton Stewart

    Crafty Distillery

    Crafty Distillery’s award-winning Hill & Harbour Gin gets its delicious taste from wild growing botanicals harvested by hand from the Galloway countryside. Create your own inventive cocktails and receive an in-depth tour of the distillery.

    Key facilities
    • Parking
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Level Access
    • Accessible toilets
  2. Eden Mill Distillery St Andrews

    Eden Mill new distillery

    Order a glass of delicious gin or a dram from Scotland's first carbon-neutral distillery. Eden Mill's striking bottles are deliberately sized to reduce waste turnover and use nearly 20% less glass than the average drinks brand.

  3. Mharsanta Glasgow

    Mharsanta

    This restaurant works closely with local food and drink suppliers including Macsween Haggis, Graham's Dairy and The Fish People. They have also switched their takeaway orders to smarter packaging, made from extractions of juice and sugarcane.

    Key facilities
    • Parking
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Level access to dining room, cafe or restaurant
    • Level Access
    • Accessible toilets
    • WiFi
    • Vegetarian/Vegan
  4. Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Café Dumfries

    Our Delightful Cafe

    Loch Arthur is part of a working community that looks after people with learning disabilities, many of whom work in the bustling café and shop. Everything served and on display is made using the finest organic ingredients, grown and reared on the farm, or sourced locally.

    Key facilities
    • Parking
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Level access to dining room, cafe or restaurant
    • Level Access
    • Accessible toilets
    • Vegetarian/Vegan
  5. Dawyck Botanic Garden Peebles

    Dawyck Botanic Garden

    Learn about the importance and conservation of plant life on a tour of the UK's first carbon neutral botanic garden. Powered by hydro-electric energy generated from a nearby burn, the sleek building also has a heat conserving 'green roof' which retains the warmth provided by its biomass boiler.

    Key facilities
    • Parking
    • On Public Transport Route
    • Hearing Loop
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Level Access
    • Accessible toilets
    • WiFi
    • Cafe or Restaurant
  6. Inveraray Castle Argyll

    A view of the Castle from the South-West.

    This romantic 18th century castle has a forward-thinking approach to sustainability. They provide a visitor charter for guests, to help you explore, shop and follow the Outdoor Access Code while visiting the area. Argyll Estates also boasts its own windfarm and biomass heating system.

    Key facilities
    • Parking
    • On Public Transport Route
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Accessible toilets
    • Level Access
    • Cafe or Restaurant
  7. The National Museum of Rural Life East Kilbride

    Clydesdale horse with stockperson at the National Museum of Rural Life © Ruth Armstrong Photography

    © © Ruth Armstrong Photography

    See how this living history museum is looking to the future by partnering with Plan Bee to cultivate the local honeybee population, which ensures the vital pollination of farm crops with hives and the site's wildflower meadow. In the summer months, witness the colourful array of fragrant flower species which have been replanted to support the growth of bees and other essential insects.

    Key facilities
    • Parking
    • On Public Transport Route
    • Accessible toilets
    • Level Access
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Hearing Loop
    • WiFi
    • Cafe or Restaurant
  8. JP Orkney Orkney

    A JP Orkney camper seen here in an evening spot.

    © JP Orkney / VisitScotland

    This tour company based in Orkney is the only business of its kind to offer tours in a fully electric van, which also doubles as a campervan. Enjoy a drive around the magnificent islands free of carbon emissions in the Nissan E-NV200.

  9. Argyll Walking Holidays Strachur

    Walking along Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye during our guided Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye luxury walking tour

    © About Argyll Walking Holidays

    This walking tour company is passionate about letting people access some of Scotland's most wild and remote places. To reduce the impact of their minibuses, they donate to Trees for Life which works towards restoring the ancient Caledonian forest of the Highlands.

  10. Scotland's UNESCO Trail Various locations across Scotland

    Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail

    © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

    Our new UNESCO Trail brings together 13 designations across Scotland from the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere to the Shetland Global Geopark. The trail highlights sustainable businesses helping you to have an eco-friendly trip.

  11. Burmieston Steading Perthshire

    Burmieston

    © Simon Jauncey

    The Burmieston Farm's passion for sustainability goes beyond its buildings. It uses recycled plastic and sheep's wool for insulation and biomass and solar energy systems. The rooms are beautifully furnished with antiques and 'upcycled' furniture, while outside boxes for bats, owls and hedgehogs help support the wildlife.

    Key facilities
    • Parking
    • Pets Welcome
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Wet room or level entry shower
  12. Lochranza Campsite Arran

    Lochranza Campsite

    Set in a spacious clearing surrounded by dramatic glens, Lochranza is one of the most picturesque spots in Scotland to pitch a tent. You can also stay in one of the insulated pods. It has a 100% green energy tariff, and has taken steps to boost the biodiversity of the area so that it's teeming with red deer, birds, wildflowers, bees and red squirrels.

    Key facilities
    • Pets Welcome
    • Level Access
    • Wet room or level entry shower
    • WiFi
  13. Pentland Ferries Orkney

    Image of MV Alfred

    If you're heading to Orkney, hop onboard Scotland's most green ferry - MV Alfred - which uses an incredible 65% less energy and emits 62% less CO2 than other Scottish vessels of its size and type. Watch as stunning coastal vistas and seascapes glide by while relaxing in the sleek interior illuminated with energy efficient LED lighting.

    Key facilities
    • Parking
    • On Public Transport Route
    • Level Access
  14. Outdoor Explore Blairgowrie

    kayaking in Scotland - Outdoor Explore

    © Outdoor Explore

    The most environmentally friendly way to cruise around Scotland is in a man-powered canoe or kayak. Be extra eco-aware on your next paddle with this kayak tour company and join their free of charge 'Litter Free Paddles' and help tidy up some of Perthshire's loveliest waterways.

    Key facilities
    • On Public Transport Route
    • Pets Welcome

Other things you might like

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter