The Lazybed Environmental Policy

When making the decision to build the cost was, as you would expect, an important consideration, but as is typical in this complicated life, there is more than one type of cost, a financial cost to ourselves and a hugely important cost to the environment.

There were numerous cheaper cabins, pods, micro-houses etc. constructed by many and various companies, either bespoke or, more usually, off the peg. Most (though not all) have doubtful origins, many use timber ripped out of ancient Siberian boreal forests and shipped (often illegally) to Europe by the back door.

It was vitally important to us to have buildings constructed with timber from local, sustainable sources, for it to have maximum sheeps wool insulation (no nasty chemicals) and no wood treatments that would be toxic to us, our guests and to plant and animal life.

A big thanks to Triodos Bank for believing in us and helping us to build our second (and last) the Batbox.

Protecting you

We are taking extra steps to prepare the cabins to protect you, ourselves and subsequent guests from any (albeit unlikely) spread of Covid-19. We will welcome you on arrival from a reasonable distance and point you in the direction of your cabin. We would really appreciate both repeat and first time guests to please read the new 'house guidelines' page in the folder on the table. We strongly recommend picking up supplies on your way here, Inverness, Dingwall and Ullapool have supermarkets, deli's, bakeries etc. Face masks must be worn in shops until further notice. For the time being, we are no longer providing a complimentary home baked loaf (apologies) due to Covid-19 safety protocols. Please bring your own hand sanitiser. Ecoleaf organic hand soap is provided. Please physical distance (2 metres minimum) when meeting other guests, people in the local community and beyond. The cabins are cleaned by ourselves, to a high standard, with Covid-19 cleaning protocols laid down by the various Scottish tourist bodies and with agreement from the Scottish Government. On the morning of departure, we politely ask guests to vacate the cabin by 10 am at the latest. This is due to the increased cleaning regime required between guests. Thank you for your understanding and consideration.

North Woods Design and Construction

In 2011 we contacted Bernard Planterose of North Woods Design. Bernard studied ecology at university and has since worked as an RSPB warden, tree planter, alternative lifestyler and is now a highly skilled building designer with a diverse team of ecologically minded builders all based in Ullapool. He knew exactly what we required, how to build it (on a tricky site) and guided us through the whole environmental stamp of the building.

To offset our building project/s we are following North Woods policy of planting a tree for every square metre and we continue to do so.

Wood trail

Main beams and window frames - Douglas fir from North Woods, Ullapool. Windows - from Treecraft Woodwork, Dornoch. Ceiling - Douglas fir from Abbey Timber, Scottish Borders. Bedroom floor - Sycamore again from Abbey Timber, Scottish Borders. Side tables - Spruce from North Woods, Ullapool. Decking - European Larch sourced near Dingwall. Cladding - European Larch from Russwood, Newtonmore.

Essentials

Electric vehicle charge point on site.

The complimentary welcome pack is vegan and predominantly organic.

There is a good range of Scottish books including subjects such as wildlife, croft life, local poetry and outdoor activities.

The firewood provided for the stove is sourced sustainably from British woodland.

You will find eco-friendly cleaning products and soap in the cabins plus bamboo toilet paper.

On arrival please take a minute or two to read the information folder which (amongst other important points about the cabin and local area) explains our sensitive septic tank.

We offer an eco-friendly laundry service, please allow two days for drying naturally.

We will gladly take your 'veggie' waste for our hungry compost bins. There is a blue re-cycling bin for cans, paper, milk bottles etc. please read the sticker on the bin for details.

The nearest bottle/glass bank is located next to the church in the middle of Main Street, Lochinver.

Croft life

The ʻweeʼ croft may seem a tad untidy (to the obsessively tidy human). This is largely due to having no grazing animals on it for the last 6 years (since it was fenced). The croft and garden are, at various times, full of bees, wildflowers, fruit, grasses and insects that, in turn, attract birds, pipistrelle bats, hedgehogs, voles, shrews, frogs, toads and newts. There is also a healthy population of common lizards and slow worms plus lichens and fungi galore. We have planted numerous trees including some fruit trees and have a couple of vegetable patches and a small polytunnel. It goes without saying that we donʼt use pesticides, not even a slug pellet.

You might see the shadow of a white-tailed eagle above, a badger skulking or a pine martin tip-toeing through or hear a tawny owl (they have nested in the garden for years). We encourage you to write down in the guest book any unusual sightings (which we will pass on to the Assynt Field Club) as well as your experiences and thoughts.

There is very little air pollution, noise pollution and practically no light pollution in Kirkaig. On a clear night you may get heady at the plethora of stars, walk by the light of the full moon, catch a shooting star on a winters night or perhaps the Aurora Borealis!

We beach clean half a dozen times a year (you are very welcome to join in!) it is on going and unfortunately never ending. Most of the litter is from boats, often washed up on shore after a journey of a thousand miles or more.

We know some of the above sounds a little earnest and we know that itʼs a drop in the proverbial ocean when there are so many huge environmental challenges in an increasingly uncertain world. We just have to try our best.

Many thanks for reading and we hope you enjoy your stay!