"Since 1986, forward-thinking on behalf of the Directors has seen numerous sustainable solutions put in place; the first being the installation of a small-scale hydro scheme at Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village in Lochgoilhead. Today, it continues to produce "green energy" with excess production being fed back into the national grid. Environmental responsibility doesn’t stop at one project. At Argyll Holidays, we're constantly adapting to ensure that our emissions remain as low as possible.
As an alternative to fossil fuel heating, we installed high specification Froeling 320kw biomass boilers* at our largest parks, Hunters Quay and Drimsynie Estate Holiday Villages. We also purchase our biomass fuel as locally as possible to reduce road miles.
Some of our smaller projects that have reduced our CO2 include:
- Low energy lighting which has resulted in an 80% reduction in energy costs and CO2 .
- Maxi-therm pool and hot tub covers at both Hunters Quay Holiday Village and Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village, reducing our heat-loss and dehumidification needs and a cost saving of about 25% which in turn reduced our CO2 emissions.
- Each year we set aside more areas for pollinating insects and extending wildlife corridors and in 2021 had a wildflower area of 322083 m2
- Shared minibus transport for staff to travel to and from work. This reduces individual car use reducing fuel costs for staff and CO2 reduction all round.
- The implementation of a Carbon Management Plan for future CO2 reduction projects enables us to monitor success and plan for the future.
- Our latest investment is a phased switch to electric vehicles for our fleet where possible to reduce reliance on fossil fuels".
*50.9 tonnes CO2 savings from biomass boilers in March 2022.