Walk & Talk: Cairngorm Bothies and Lodges

Cairngorm Bothies and Cairngorm Lodges offer eco-friendly accommodation at Logie Coldstone in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.  The lodges and bothies are nestled in an ancient Scots Pine forest, providing guests with an idyllic escape to nature. 

The twelve bothies are completely off-grid, powered by solar power, battery and wood burning stoves. Gordon and his team strive to provide and foster a harmonious coexistence between tourism and nature, and to provide inspiration to others to embrace eco-friendly practices which contribute to a more sustainable future and ultimately help Scotland achieve its ambitious net-zero targets. 

Their project has received numerous awards for its green initiatives which has been helpful in promoting not just the business itself, but also its sustainable practices and ethos.

On this Walk and Talk we will be visiting the sites of both the lodges and the bothies.

While seeing the business at first hand, we will discuss and consider:

• the successes and challenges of the short-term let industry;
• the business’s commitment to providing and promoting environmentally sustainable practices, through renewable energy and the procurement of sustainable fabrics, furnishings and consumables; 
• the government’s net zero targets and steps taken to understand and achieve them;
• the planting regime around the bothies following the changed landscape after Storm Arwen and Malik;
• the potential for working with key stakeholders to improve tourism in the region and across Scotland.

With such a varierty of topics to explore, it promises to be an interesting day.

Schedule
0945-10:00     Arrival
10:00-10:15    Introductions; tea & coffee
10:15-10:45    Tour of the lodges and discussion
10:45-11:00    Travel to Cairngorm Bothies
11:00-11:45    Tour of the bothies 
                         - Discussions around renewable energy and tourism
                         - Input from Will Clarke from (NEAT) North East Adventure Tourism
                         - Review the regeneration of the forest around the bothies following damage caused by Storm Arwen
11:45-12:00    Q&A
12:00-12:15    Travel back to Cairngorm Lodges   
12:15-12:45    Lunch and networking
12:30              Thanks & close

Additional Information
Clothing: we will be outdoors for the duration so please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Lunch: Lunch will be provided. If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know in advance.

Meeting point & Lunch location: Cairngorm Lodges, Logie Coldstone, Aboyne, AB34 5PZ. 
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Parking will be available at the Lodges, and if required at the Sawmill which is a 3 minute walk from the Lodges.