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GO THERE THIS FORTNIGHT
Paddling free at Castle Semple watersports centre
Eco tripping
Taking a green holiday doesn’t have to cost the earth, as Morag Bruce discovered in sunny Lochwinnoch.
SCOTLAND'S BEST PLACES FOR ECO-TOURISTS Information about VisitScotland’s Green tourism business scheme can be found
at www.9reen-business.co.uk.
A comprehensive brochure is available 2255121. withli'nformation on
cottages like the one at Eastlochhead. See also '-
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o much for all this recycling and energy conservation at home: do we have to throw our ecological ideas out of the window when we go on holiday? Not any more. With a little careful planning and a lot of help from some forward-thinking 8&8 owners. it‘s possible to have a fun break that doesn‘t wreak havoc on the environment we visit. However. taking an environmentally friendly holiday certainly doesn‘t have to mean roughing it. VisitScotland's Green Tourist Business Scheme shows its possible to take a break in this country where you can relax in comfort. safe in the knowledge that your hosts are following good eco- practise. just as they do at our weekend retreat. liastlochhcad Country House and Cottages near Lochwinnoch. Owners Ross and Janet Anderson have a clutch of awards proving their commitment. including Gold Rating in the Tourist Board's Green Tourism Business Award and Hospitable Climates Champions of the Year 2004—2005. The hurIy-burly of Glasgow‘s Central Station is about 25
minutes by train from
Lochwinnoch. which has a "T platform sign to remind you that
this is the place to alight for the RSPB Nature Reserve. By the beginning of June the National
Cycle Network will be linked to the RSPB Centre. making it possible to cycle safely from the
station to Lochwinnoch (at the moment you have to cycle on the road). It‘s a small thing. but
one that brings the ideal of
travelling by sustainable transport one step closer.
It‘s a picturesque scene as we turn off the road and into the grounds of liastlochhead. Its name might sound grand. but there are no pretensions here — just a beautiful stone farmhouse surrounded by breathtaking scenery and fields filled with happy sheep. cows and hens which provide the basis for the fantastic food on offer.
Dinner is cooked by Heather. one of the Andersons' daughters. and we are floored — almost literally — by smoked haddock risotto and lemon pie. not to mention a very nice organic white wine. Ingredients are locally sourced. if not from the immediate locality then from elsewhere in Scotland. as Ross and Janet are passionate about promoting Scotland's larder. Breakfast is a particular speciality. and the next moming. after eggs from our friends outside served poached with toasted home-made bread. this city girl is set up for a day of outdoor life.
Over the road from the B&B you can join the Glasgow to Carlisle section of the National Cycle Network. so we nip along it on liastlochhead‘s bikes to our first port of call. Castle Semple Watersports Centre. The odd grey cloud looms menacineg on the horizon of an otherwise bright sky. but it is with adventure in our hearts that we climb into the wobbly two—man Canadian canoe looking not entirely unlike
26 May S) Jtlll 2005 THE LIST 107