In 1999 the Solway Rural Initiative, a local agency which was set up to protect and enhance the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, invited businesses to take part in the Solway Greens Award Scheme. This scheme was designed to encourage environmental awareness and provides a checklist of requirements to aid the environment.   It is a fairly lengthy form and certainly makes you look at what you are doing and what you can do to ensure your business has less impact on the ecology of the area. There are three levels of award - the Bronze, Silver or Gold Oystercatcher, depending on the overall score and long term commitment to environmental improvement.

We are very proud to say that we were awarded a GOLD!!!!     

The only self-catering establishment to win the gold award!!!!!

We are, and always have been, committed to the reduction of needless waste and endeavour to re-use or recycle wherever possible.  We have a recycling area where all glass, tins, paper, cardboard and plastics are placed.  We make sure that it is all then recycled.  We also have a compost heap for organic recycling.  We are now in the process of making a large wormery for compost making, which we thought might be fun!  The vast majority of water comes from rain - including the well, which is used for the garden.  No pesticides or insecticides are used, and we positively encourage a wildlife habitat.  We are committed to the retention of local old varieties of fruit, flower and vegetable wherever possible.

Ideally, we hope to produce some of our own energy via solar power or wind, - but this is not an easy task considering we are in the National Park.  It is an area that needs to be developed and we will certainly be giving it some thought.  If you have any ideas on recycling or energy saving, we would like to hear from you.  

Each Cottage is double glazed, well insulated and operate predominantly on low energy lighting.  Cleaning products provided for our customers are all environmentally friendly.  Not everyone is willing to participate fully to this policy, but we hope to show them that it really isn't all that difficult.  It's just a matter of getting organised and getting into the habit.

The SOLWAY RURAL INITIATIVE LIMITED has helped in the design and production of our brochure. It is an independent organisation with a target area that includes Northern Allerdale and Western Carlisle incorporating the Solway Plain and Coast and parts of the Caldbeck and Ireby fells.  The Initiative has a very wide remit which covers the management of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rural development, tourism and access, countryside management, small business advice and grant seeking.   Call (016973) 22620

Both Cottages and Redmain House have now gone green with Green Energy H20 from ScottishPower Manweb from the 8th December 2006.  Our electricity supply is being matched to a supply of renewable energy from Hydro-Power stations.