Green Tourism

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Seaview's Responsible Tourism Policy

The Isle of Mull is an exceptional place of great beauty but it exists within a fragile eco-system.
We love where we live and we care for our surroundings to the best of our ability.

Seaview is an environmentally & ecologically aware business and we have held the GOLD Green Tourism Business Award since August 2005 in recognition of our excellence in Environmental Management with significant good practice and established systems. We have adopted a responsible and pro-active work ethos to ensure that we limit to a minimum, any potential damage as a result of tourism. We are also members of the Mull Eco-Charter Scheme.

OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INCLUDE:

	To promote, encourage and support environmentally and ecologically aware business practices without compromising our professional service, customer care and excellent world-wide reputation in the hospitality & tourist industry;
	To become an acknowledged market leader in Green Tourism;
	To continue the global promotion of the Ross of Mull as an area of significant, outstanding and natural beauty with the emphasis on:
	Natural history - wildlife, birds, sea life, geological interests, flora & fauna, astronomy and star constellations,
	Historical, religious, literary and architectural importance as well as,
	Outdoor leisure pursuits and activities such as walking, cycling, fishing, bird watching, sailing, climbing, photography, pony trekking, etc

SOURCING OUR SUPPLIERS - HOW GREEN ARE THEY?

To achieve the Gold Standard Award we are rigorously assessed every two years on our environmental management systems including how we source our suppliers and how 'green' are they? This also includes the food and drink we provide our guests - so it won't come as too much of a surprise to you to learn we source the delicious food we cook and serve, as close to home as possible. This means our carbon footprint is considerably reduced and the 'food miles' much lower, which all means that the food we are cooking and serving you is fresher and tastes soooooo much better!

As members of the Slow Food movement, we both appreciate good food too and believe that eating together should be an enjoyable and relaxed affair. The philosophy behind the Slow Food movement states: "We believe that everyone has a fundamental right to pleasure and consequently the responsibility to protect the heritage of food, tradition and culture that make this pleasure possible. Our movement is founded upon this concept of eco-gastronomy – a recognition of the strong connections between plate and planet. Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work."

We cook to order using fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients provided from local farmers, crofters, market gardeners and fisherman from the island as much as we can - this includes herbs from the garden, home made marmalade and lemon curd, delicious organic biscuits in the bedroom from Island Bakery, fresh fish and seafood from local coastal waters, lamb from Knockvologan Farm near Fionnphort, organic beef from Ardalanish Farm near Bunessan, garden salads and real organic farmyard eggs from local croft gardens, and Isle of Mull cheese. We believe in the principle of a fair price for a fair product (Fair Trade) but we also believe that Fair Trade (just like charity) begins at home. We do stock some Fair Trade products however we won't compromise on quality and taste and we don't believe our guests should have to either.

IT'S THE SMALL THINGS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Our 'Proud to be Green' policy is an evolving one which is regularly reviewed and developed, introducing new measures as and when we can.

In 2006 we made the following changes:

1) We changed our electricity power supply to a green energy provider which also supports the RSPB;
2) We replaced our commercial washing machine for two AAA energy rated domestic washing machines;
3) and we provide refillable organic bathroom toiletries from Arran Aromatics to reduce packaging and unnecessary waste.

In 2007, in response to our guests comments, we made a number of small changes all of which are designed to help reduce waste and energy consumption. These include:

1) we provide fresh milk for guests instead of the little plastic pots of UHT milk;
2) we make butter pats each morning using Lockerbie butter for the breakfast table instead of using paper wrapped butter portions;
3) Jane makes her own marmalade now and rumour has it there is whisky in it too!
4) John has installed thermal blackout blinds in 2 of the guest bedrooms and in the breakfast room (to help reduce heat loss)
5) And because we believe passionately in our responsibility towards the environment, in 2007 we became members of www.responsibletravel.com - the world's largest selection of responsible and ecotourism holidays. Please do click on the link for further information.

In 2008, further changes we made included:

1) additional loft insulation throughout effectively doubling it;
2) blinds were installed in the breakfast room to reduce the loss of heat through the windows at night and during the winter and thereby reducing energy consumption;
3) replaced main office computer system with a laptop to reduce energy;
4) relocated and installed a radio controlled thermostat in the hall to control and monitor room temperatures. This keeps the house at an even temperature and stops hot and cold spots developing thereby reducing energy costs;
5) we replaced three of the windows with new Upvc double glazing - one of which is in the kitchen allowing extra light in and thereby reducing the need to have electrical lighting on for most of the day.

In 2009, we introduced the following:

1) we completely gutted the kitchen and had a total refit. Our fridge, freezer, dish washer, ovens etc are all A rated energy efficient appliances and the lighting we installed is all low energy spot & LED;
2) our business stationery is printed on 100% post-consumer paper;
4) started a green B&B network and encourage guests touring Scotland to stay with other Gold awarded Green Businesses. Further details of these can be found below.
5) Replaced the landing window with a new uPVC double glazed window.
6) Replaced 2 toilets in the guest shower rooms with dual flushing controls.

In 2010, we hope to:

1) maintain our Gold Award when we are inspected and graded again this year;
2) Explore further the installation of solar panels to help reduce costs heating the hot water;
3) Change electricity supplier to one that produces 100% renewable energy;
4) In conjunction with the Scottish Wildlife Trust we will be 'adopting' a beaver, red squirrel, peregrine falcon and an osprey. Our sponsorship will raise vital funds for the protection and the conservation work that the SWT carry out. We will be sharing with you all the news and information we can about these wild and fascinating animals.
5) Create our own wee vegetable garden and try our hand growing our own. Watch this space!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

We regularly ask our guests what do they think about what we do at Seaview and the responses we receive all indicate that our efforts are appreciated and applauded - many of our guests have chosen to come and stay with us because of what we do and always go home inspired to want to make changes in their own homes. Believe it or not it is the smallest changes you make that have the greatest and most significant impact on the environment and surprisingly on your wallet - in the nicest way possible of course. Remember the old saying 'Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves!". It isn't rocket science, it is just good old-fashioned common sense, just like our grannies did in the 1940s and 1950s. Everything we do here at Seaview, can be duplicated in every home around the world; all it takes is the will to do it and a little organisation! If you want to check out your own green credentials click on the link and calculate your own carbon footprint.

GOLD GREEN NETWORK - working together for a greener Scotland

Other ways you can help and support our efforts and those of other people in the tourist industry is by making an environmentally responsible choice when deciding where to stay. We have linked up with the following bed & breakfast homes and guesthouses around Scotland where we know the people who own them are as committed to making the same efforts as ourselves to help protect and make Scotland a greener place to live and visit.

So if you are touring Scotland this year and would like to now where else you can stay we are happy to recommend the following places to stay, all of whom are VisitScotland 4 star accredited and awarded Gold by the Green Tourism Business Scheme accreditation.

Langside Farm by Dalry, Ayrshire - scenic stopover if driving up from England; avoid the motorway and enjoy the beautiful Ayrshire countryside.
4 star Bed & Breakfast awarded Gold by Green Tourism Business Scheme your hosts are Nick and Elise Quick who will make you very welcome with their exceptional Scottish hospitality.

Balmillig Bed & Breakfast in Helensburgh, 20 miles north of Glasgow and close to Loch Lomond. Ideal for visitors flying in to Glasgow International or Prestwick airports.
4 star Bed & Breakfast awarded Gold by Green Tourism Business Scheme your host is Anne Urquhart who offers an outstanding warm welcome.

Orchard House in Rosewell, an idyllic country location just 8 miles south of Edinburgh. A fabulous place to stay for exploring the city and its beautiful surrounding countryside.
4 star Bed & Breakfast awarded Gold by Green Tourism Business Scheme your hosts are Anne & Archie Hunter who are the epitome of Celtic warmth and hospitality.

Ashdene House just 1 mile outside Edinburgh city centre - ideal for exploring Scotland's capital city.
4 star guest house awarded Gold by Green Tourism Business Scheme your hosts are David & Caroline Daulby who have looked after visitors from around the world for many years.

Evergreen Bed & Breakfast overlooking Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland.
4 star bed & breakfast, awarded Gold by GTBS, your hosts are Fiona & Graeme Ambrose who offer their guests first class hospitality in a stunning location.

GREEN TRAVEL - GREEN TARIFF: If you are travelling to stay with us at Seaview and are using public transport to get here - train and bus - then you qualify for a 5% discount on our B&B standard rate for 1-2 nights stay. All you need to do is tell us you will be travelling by public transport at the time you make the booking and produce a valid train and bus ticket on your arrival and we will take care of the rest. Sorry - this offer is not available with any other of our special breaks or discounted stays.

Click on the link for further information on how to find out about reduced travel rates - TRAVEL BY BUS AND RAIL

Our ‘Proud to be Green’ policy is comprehensive and features in all the guest room information folders; we welcome any effort and support our guests make to help us achieve our aims and objectives.

Further information about the Green Tourism Business Awards and what you can do to help can be found on www.green-business.co.uk and www.greentourism.org.uk

"Proud to be Green”