Scone Palace is now officially one of Scotland’s greenest and most sustainable visitor attractions.
The palace is one of just 75 visitor attractions in Scotland to have received a prestigious gold award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS).
The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK and acknowledges tourism businesses that are actively engaged in reducing the negative environmental and social impacts of their tourism operations.
Businesses opting to join the scheme are assessed every two years by a qualified grading adviser against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas including energy and water efficiency, waste minimisation and recycling, biodiversity, use of local produce and support of public transport.
Those businesses that meet the required standard receive a bronze, silver or gold award, based on their level of achievement.
Palace administrator Elspeth Bruce said: “Over the last few months we’ve worked hard to improve our energy efficiency, installing loft insulation throughout the palace and purchasing new Ewgeco monitors to track the energy we’re using. We’re currently also in the process of changing all our lights to LEDs.
“We have recycling boxes around the offices and in the kitchens and actively encourage visitors to use the bins in our catering areas or to take their rubbish home. Our ultimate goal is therefore to become a zero-waste work place.
“A fantastic addition this year has been our new kitchen garden, established with the help of our team of gardening volunteers. While it’s still a work in progress, it has already developed into a highly productive area where we grow our own fruit and vegetables in poly tunnels and raised beds. Much of this produce, including salad leaves, tomatoes and herbs, is now being used in our own kitchens, meaning that visitors are able to enjoy the freshest possible seasonal produce.”
GTBS grading advisor Wendy Fail said: “The team clearly display great enthusiasm and dedication to ensuring that the Palace can become as sustainable as possible, despite the challenges the building, and its historic significance, present in terms of energy saving.”