Welcome to The Warren Forest Garden and Eco Cabins, Clive and Julie’s ecological household, garden and woodland on the beautiful Black Isle, 13km north of Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland. As well as being our home, we offer eco friendly accommodation and creative residencies. Our focus is Permaculture, gardening with nature, arts, crafts, creativity and living lightly on the planet..
The household and gardens here are being nurtured using design and techniques to create a balanced ecosystem for people, plants and animals while also adapting to the unfolding climate and ecological crisis. We have a mosaic of meadows, forest gardens, mixed woodland, wildlife ponds and bog garden, a kitchen garden growing vegetables, salads, herbs, fruit, polycultures of wild flowers for insects and pollinators, all on 2.5 acres (1 hectare). Organic and no dig methods create healthy soil and closed loop systems ensure nothing is wasted, for example composting, wormeries, mulching, reusing/upcycling materials, and wood processing for firewood and construction.
We’ve been a part of the network of Permaculture LAND (Learning Action Network Demonstration) Centre, under the name Black Isle Permaculture & Arts, since 2018. A LAND centre is a place where guests and visitors can see how the ethics, principles, nature connection and design processes which make up ‘Permaculture’ have been applied to the physical site and how we try to live more lightly on the planet here.
OUR ACCOMMODATION
We invite you to stay in one of our cosy and comfortable woodland eco cabins, which we self built as we wanted to make them unique, sustainable and somewhere that we would love to stay ourselves! Combining environmentally friendly features, artistic touches and rustic charm, the Green Tourism Gold rated cabins are ideal for eco conscious travellers who want to experience simple living! We have two self contained cabins sited in our small woodland, called Siskin and Coll Cabin. The names are derived from the place and nature around them. Siskin is a small bird which is common around the woods. Coll is Hazel in the Ogham ancient medieval tree alphabet, and in Celtic mythology Hazel is associated with wisdom, creativity and knowledge.
SISKIN CABIN
Siskin Cabin sleeps two in a double bed, and is a compact, cosy space with a woodburner, dining/seating area, cooking facilties in a small kitchenette, a bathroom with bucket shower and compost toilet, and a tranquil outdoor deck looking over the woods and fields. Siskin cabin opened in August 2020.
Coll Cabin is our slightly larger space, and was completed in March 2022. It also sleeps two in a comfortable double bed, with a bucket shower and compost toilet in the bathroom. This cabin has a larger living space and kitchen with fridge and cooker, a woodburner and also a desk/workspace area if you are looking for a relaxing and creative space.
La casita y el lugar son geniales! Una experiencia única, totalmente recomendable
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Elena
08 Jul 2022
Beautifull place, very relaxing and nice people
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Noortje
31 Aug 2022
My boyfriend and I had an amazing time in the cabin! We stayed for a couple of days and didn’t really leave till it was time to check out. The location is secluded enough to feel like you’re living in a fairytale but close enough to the hosts if something goes wrong! The cabin is beautiful inside with everything you would ever need, with so many books and games, and it is so nice to sit outside with a cup of tea too! It’s a beautiful little escape and we will definitely be coming back!!
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Tiegan
09 Aug 2021
We hebben een fantastisch verblijf gehad, vooral de eco cabin heeft ons positief verrast door de ruime opzet en leuke locatie. Door het top ontvangst en duidelijke uitleg was het helemaal top!
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Maarten
28 Jul 2024
Like others, I found Siskin and the forest garden absolutely enchanting. The hut is incredibly well-insulated, with everything you could possibly need. It manages to be minimalist and cosy at the same time! I also really enjoyed the shower!
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Gloria
21 Sep 2024
We loved our stay at the Siskin Cabin. Clive was a wonderful host and we would come back tomorrow if we could! We would 100% recommend a stay!
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Hannah
23 Aug 2023
Skøn bolig, ren, æstetisk, smuk og inspirerende.
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Merete
31 Jul 2023
Beautiful and perfect experience that exceeded all our expectations. The cabin was impeccably clean and well-maintained, with cozy furnishings and equipped kitchen. Tranquil and romantic, what a gem! The host was incredibly welcoming and attentive, providing great recommendations and many thoughtful touches throughout. Can't wait to stay again!
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Joya
04 Oct 2024
Everything was perfect. Thank you Clive!
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Stefano
17 Apr 2022
This is a lovely quirky cabin in beautiful, peaceful surroundings. Great for a restful few days with plenty of wildlife on your doorstep and walks you can do without having to drive to a trailhead. Clive was very welcoming and gave us good local tips on how to get the best out of the area.
read moreread less
Claire
04 Jul 2024
We loved every bit of our stay. Communication was quick and easy, Clive met us for our check in and was very kind in showing us around and explaining how everything worked as well as giving many great tips and recommendations for walks and activities around the area. The cabin itself was super cosy and had everything you needed for a few days away from the stress of bigger cities, as well as being in a lovely area for walks and exploring Black Isle. A great way to make you think about living more sustainable and appreciating our comfort within our own homes!!
read moreread less
Elena
25 Aug 2022
Better than expected. Great experience
read moreread less
Maria
10 Jul 2022
La casita y el lugar son geniales! Una experiencia única, totalmente recomendable
read moreread less
Elena
08 Jul 2022
Beautifull place, very relaxing and nice people
read moreread less
Noortje
31 Aug 2022
My boyfriend and I had an amazing time in the cabin! We stayed for a couple of days and didn’t really leave till it was time to check out. The location is secluded enough to feel like you’re living in a fairytale but close enough to the hosts if something goes wrong! The cabin is beautiful inside with everything you would ever need, with so many books and games, and it is so nice to sit outside with a cup of tea too! It’s a beautiful little escape and we will definitely be coming back!!
read moreread less
Tiegan
09 Aug 2021
We hebben een fantastisch verblijf gehad, vooral de eco cabin heeft ons positief verrast door de ruime opzet en leuke locatie. Door het top ontvangst en duidelijke uitleg was het helemaal top!
read moreread less
Maarten
28 Jul 2024
Like others, I found Siskin and the forest garden absolutely enchanting. The hut is incredibly well-insulated, with everything you could possibly need. It manages to be minimalist and cosy at the same time! I also really enjoyed the shower!
read moreread less
Gloria
21 Sep 2024
We loved our stay at the Siskin Cabin. Clive was a wonderful host and we would come back tomorrow if we could! We would 100% recommend a stay!
read moreread less
Hannah
23 Aug 2023
Skøn bolig, ren, æstetisk, smuk og inspirerende.
read moreread less
Merete
31 Jul 2023
Beautiful and perfect experience that exceeded all our expectations. The cabin was impeccably clean and well-maintained, with cozy furnishings and equipped kitchen. Tranquil and romantic, what a gem! The host was incredibly welcoming and attentive, providing great recommendations and many thoughtful touches throughout. Can't wait to stay again!
read moreread less
Joya
04 Oct 2024
Everything was perfect. Thank you Clive!
read moreread less
Stefano
17 Apr 2022
This is a lovely quirky cabin in beautiful, peaceful surroundings. Great for a restful few days with plenty of wildlife on your doorstep and walks you can do without having to drive to a trailhead. Clive was very welcoming and gave us good local tips on how to get the best out of the area.
read moreread less
Claire
04 Jul 2024
We loved every bit of our stay. Communication was quick and easy, Clive met us for our check in and was very kind in showing us around and explaining how everything worked as well as giving many great tips and recommendations for walks and activities around the area. The cabin itself was super cosy and had everything you needed for a few days away from the stress of bigger cities, as well as being in a lovely area for walks and exploring Black Isle. A great way to make you think about living more sustainable and appreciating our comfort within our own homes!!
read moreread less
Elena
25 Aug 2022
Better than expected. Great experience
read moreread less
Maria
10 Jul 2022
La casita y el lugar son geniales! Una experiencia única, totalmente recomendable
read moreread less
Elena
08 Jul 2022
Beautifull place, very relaxing and nice people
read moreread less
Noortje
31 Aug 2022
My boyfriend and I had an amazing time in the cabin! We stayed for a couple of days and didn’t really leave till it was time to check out. The location is secluded enough to feel like you’re living in a fairytale but close enough to the hosts if something goes wrong! The cabin is beautiful inside with everything you would ever need, with so many books and games, and it is so nice to sit outside with a cup of tea too! It’s a beautiful little escape and we will definitely be coming back!!
read moreread less
Tiegan
09 Aug 2021
If you are interested in learning more and getting some hands on experience, then get in touch about our occasional day volunteering opportunities. We also welcome visitors by appointment, drop us an email if you are interested in visiting or volunteering hello@blackislepermacultureandarts.co.uk