Green Park Hotel and the Green Tourism Business Scheme

The Greening of the Green Park Hotel by Terry Edwards ( the hotel's GTB co-ordinator ).

The greening of the Green Park Hotel started long before I became involved. As part of business as usual, LED light bulbs replaced normal light bulbs that had served their time, the Tower Wing had double glazed windows from its beginning, while other windows were gradually being updated with double glazing; glass was placed into separated bins and recycled; the kitchen was regularly using local produce where possible, and complimentary travel to and from the train and bus stations was par for the course.

The Green Park signed up with the Green Tourism Business Scheme in order to play our part in reducing the hotel's environmental impact, improving efficiency, and contributing to sustainable tourism in Scotland. Having signed up with them in 2007, they awarded us a Bronze Award in November, 2008. Moving to a Silver Award in December, 2010 involved recording most of what we were already doing so that the Green Tourism Scheme had "proof positive".

We have started a programme of simple, realistic measures to allow us to fulfil this goal. Some of the measures already up and running include:
- Reading our electric and gas meters monthly in order to monitor our energy usage.
- Recycling every possible thing we can with Binn Waste Management.
- Reducing our energy by placing mini kettles in the bedrooms, replacing our internal and external lighting with low energy light bulbs, and updating our windows with double glazing.
- Purchasing products that are environmentally friendly: local, organic, fair trade, recycled and/or recyclable.
- Reusing our garden waste for compost used on the grounds of the hotel.
- Continuing to provide complimentary transport to and from local stations to make it easier for our guests to travel by coach and rail; we also keep train and bus schedules at our reception desk for guests who might like to visit some of the Perthshire delights, but have left their car behind.
- Establishing a nature area with bird, bat and red squirrel boxes and binoculars for guests to view all the "comings and goings."

- Introducing substantial wild meadow areas into both our front lawn, and along our lochside frontage.

It is our aim to continually work towards improving the hotel's environmental grading. Our final level of award that we can achieve and continue to maintain is Gold - "Excellence in environmental management with significant good practice and established systems". Using this final award as our benchmark, there will be a commitment to the prevention of pollution and compliance with all relevant environmental legislation.

I recently attended a meeting that involved a few of the Resort Hotels in the Perthshire area. This easily inspires you that contributing to a more sustainable world is the way forward. Through this group, we hope to grow the links between all of the like minded hotels in the town. For further information about this scheme, and the part you can play in helping the environment, please just ask Alistair, Diane, David, June Ann or Terry.

Green Guests

Housekeeping:

If you would like your towels washed and replaced, just leave them in the bottom of the bath for collection; if not, please hang them on the bathroom towel rack to allow them to dry for re-use.

Television/Lights/Heating:
- TVs can be shut off at the main outlet or left on standby if this is more convenient during your stay.
- The different lights in your room have separate switches so that lights can be turned on for your individual needs.
- Please feel free to adjust your individual room thermostat to a temperature comfortable to yourself.

Transport:

If you require a taxi to take you to the theatre and back, or you need transport to the train/coach station, please ask at reception and we will arrange it for you.

Maps/Local Information:

The following are all available at reception for your use:
- books of local walks and drives;
- train and bus schedules;
- local bus/train schedules (The local bus service will make stops at the top of our road if we notify them in advance.)

Bicycle Hire:

Escape Route, a local shop, hires out bicycles and accessories for all ages. The very knowledgeable staff can assist you with all you would require, as well as provide cycle routes for all levels of experience. The shop is located at the opposite end of town, right on the main street.

We have a covered area where we can store bicycles. Just ask at reception for more information.

Dogs:

We welcome dogs, apart from any public areas in the hotel. There is a dog bin near the path leading to the summer house. Please ask at reception if you are in need of bags. Pitlochry has many enjoyable treks that dogs particularly love. Ask at reception for a map with local walks on it.

Nature Watching:

We have lots of bird, red squirrel and bat boxes dotted around the grounds. Binoculars are available for your use in the sun lounge, as well as in the individual bedrooms. Please let us know of any wildlife you have spotted while visiting the Green Park.

Our further part

Local Suppliers:

Strathmore Spring Water, near Glamis Castle
Ale of Atholl, Moulin Brewery
Edradour Whisky, Edradour Distillery
Blair Athol Whisky, Blair Athol Distillery, Pitlochry
Large selection of Scottish malt whiskies
Kenmore Oatcakes

Our chefs make every effort to supply you with local, seasonal meat and produce. We also grow a substantial amount of our own herbs to use in the kitchen.

We have recently added local, organic, handmade bath products in both our bedrooms and public facilities.

Community Involvement:

We work with a local group of keen gardeners who work day in and day out to keep Pitlochry Beautiful. The Pitlochry in Bloom group spend many hours digging, weeding, and planting throughout the year. One day out of the year they have a slight break, and join us for their annual fundraiser - a very successful coffee morning where plants and local homemade breads and jams are for sale.

We have also donated "dinner for two" prizes for groups such as the Breadalbane/Strathtay Community Youth Football, the Pitlochry New Year street party, the Enchanted Forest Ceilidh, Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning, Enable Scotland 2011, Pitlochry Senior Citizens' Community Bus, and Pitlochry Rainbows to name a few.

Local GTBS members:

Pitlochry Festival Theatre - Guests staying for four or more nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis during our main season, receive a complimentary ticket to the show of their choice. Just ask at reception if you would like us to book any theatre shows for you.

Blair Castle, Blair Atholl
Killiecrankie Visitor Centre
Queen's View Centre, Strathtummel
Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre, Dunkeld
The Ell Shop and Dunkeld Office, Dunkeld

Other Perthshire GTBS members:

Perth Theatre
Scone Palace
Scottish Crannog Centre, Kenmore
Highland Adventure Safaris, Dull
Doune Castle
Huntingtower Castle, Perth
Kindrogan Field Studies Council, Enochdhu
Branklyn Garden, Perth
Meigle Stones Museum
The Famous Grouse Experience, Crieff
Dunblane Cathedral
Argaty Red Kites, Doune
Elcho Castle, Perth

Elizabeth Yules, our local taxi/bus company, will act as guide for the day if you would like to visit any of the above places (as well as other attractions in the area). Please speak to reception to prearrange a day to "see the sites!"