A Scottish Highland hotel has become the only UK business to land a major global green award for its pioneering Energy Centre.
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he family-run Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness was recognised at a special ceremony in the rainforest of Belize, marking the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards.
The Hotel, which includes Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery, was given a special commendation award in the World’s Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative category.
It had also been shortlisted in the World Leading Sustainable Water and Waste Innovation and World’s Leading Sustainable Employer categories.
Judges said the accolade recognised how the Glen Mhor was blazing a trail for a ‘net-positive’ travel industry by embedding sustainability in all its operations.
As well as developing the first Water Source Energy solution Centre of its kind in 2021, the business has developed an ambitious Climate Action Plan and introduced Fair Work and inclusion policies.
Co-owner and sustainability director, Victoria Erasmus, accepted the prize, saying, “The judges and hosts were impressed by how sustainability was embedded in what we do, across the business, and the sheer scale of that.
“It was a real honour to represent a family business amongst some of the leading names in hospitality in the world, as well as representing Scotland and the UK.
“Personally, it was an amazing learning experience from a CPD perspective, and there is so much to bring back from it.
“Some of the initiatives going on around the world are truly remarkable and I am even more determined now to use that experience to adapt our own climate action plan and take that to the next level.”
The 126-room hotel, situated on the banks of the River Ness, removes 250 tonnes of carbon per year through its on-site water source Sustainability Centre, which also powers the production of single highland malt whisky and craft beer.
The adoption of Solar PV solutions also cuts reliance on fossil fuels, with the business aiming to be completely gas-free by the end of this year.
The Glen Mhor’s 146 employees all hold individual green job titles, reflecting their commitment to fair work and inclusion. The company has also introduced sensory recruitment practices and programmes to promote positive mental well-being across the business in recent years.
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, said “This remarkable achievement reflects how the company is setting the benchmark in sustainable practices and leading the way in creating a net positive future for the travel industry.”
