At the Highland Folk Museum we are passionate about sustainability and every small ‘Green’ step is important to us.

In 2009 we were delighted to achieve a Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver Award for the second time and are working towards achieving gold by 2011.

Award winner - Gareth McKeown who cycled from Kingussie daily

During the year we introduced our Environmental Policy & Visitor Charter, and displayed these at reception with other interesting ‘green’ information. In addition, Staff awareness was raised by encouraging environmentally friendly suggestions and the presentation of an end of season award.We encouraged both staff and visitors to recycle as much as possible, including cans, glass, paper, cardboard, some plastic, batteries, postage stamps and textiles.

The museum has always developed with sustainability at it’s heart. In the two vegetable gardens and croft we use traditional cultivation methods, including composting, crop rotation and field borders, and continue to use natural and re-cycled materials in all building projects such as the recent Highland cottage (opening 2010).

The shop stocks many items made on site, produced locally or promoting green tourism, and the café uses local produce together with fair trade.

During 2010 we will:

• introduce ‘Going Greener’ during the annual staff training,

• develop our fauna/flora awareness

• introduce battery recycling

• monitor waste disposal

• introduce 2 new water butts

Further information on sustainability within the Highlands is available from:

Highland Council Sustainable Development

Highland Council Waste Management

.