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, creative residencies and volunteering opportunities focused on regenerative living.
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 pond 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 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 unique woodland eco cabins. 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 eco friendly 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, a bucket shower and compost toilet, and a tranquil outdoor deck looking over the woods and fields.
Coll Cabin is our slightly larger space, also sleeping two in a comfortable double bed, with a bucket shower and compost toilet in the bathroom, but with a larger living space, woodburner and also a desk/workspace area if you are looking for a relaxing and creative space.
Beautiful eco cabin in a beautiful part of Scotland!
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Carolyn
18 Aug 2022
We absolutely loved our stay here- it is truly magical and Clive and Julie were wonderful. It’s all the little touches that make the stay from the flowers and mint tea to the gift for Andy’s birthday. And definitely order the hamper!! It was so tasty. What a lovely spot- we will definitely be back! 😉
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Sarah
01 Oct 2020
Perfect for a peaceful and remote get away where you feel at one with your surroundings. Everything was exactly as detailed and to an impressive standard. You truly feel like the place you are staying has had a lot of care and thoughtfulness put into it. The host was extremely welcoming and helpful. Would definitely consider returning.
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Mark
22 Jul 2023
This was an unforgettable stay and we loved every minute especially having a tour of the site and an insight into permaculture. The eco hut is comfortable and well designed and there were so many little touches that made us feel welcome and at home.
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Georgia
24 Aug 2021
Such an incredible stay in this very unique place. Hosts were amazing, very personable, helpful and thoughtful throughout. Whole stay so comfortable and very relaxing and looks even better than pictures! Will be back
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Emily
29 Aug 2020
We had a lovely stay at Siskin Cabin. Clive was so friendly and quick to respond to any queries we had. It's in a perfect location to explore the Highlands. We would definitely recommend anyone to stay here 🙂
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Paul
23 Mar 2024
Everything was perfect. Thank you Clive!
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Stefano
17 Apr 2022
Un lieu de séjour extraordinaire et des hôtes merveilleux
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Arnaud
26 Jun 2022
I had a brilliant mini retreat here, a chance to slow down and get back to basics, the cabin is small but perfect and crafted with love. Clive and Julie were so welcoming and friendly. I got the breakfast hamper which was absolutely delicious. The permaculture tour was fascinating and Clive was so generous with his knowledge. Highly recommend everything!
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Mairi
28 Mar 2022
Clive and Julie were great hosts, they thought of everything we would need and offered us recommendations of things to do and places to go. Very cost accommodation something a bit different to the usual air bnbs, would definitely recommend for a visit!
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Andy
04 Aug 2021
I highly recommend this Airbnb. You’ll be hard pressed to find a place with as much charm as here. The cabin itself is clean, beautiful and cozy. It is a very special experience to enjoy all the comforts of a modern house in a cabin that is completely off the grid and completely sustainable. Clive was very friendly and accommodating host. He was always available to help with whatever we needed and was always a pleasure to speak with. I highly recommend getting their breakfast hamper. Everything in it is delicious. You’ll be able to taste the difference from the processed foods common nowadays. It’s certainly worth the price as well, easily. The area was great too. Clive oriented us very well in the area of the Black Isle and Inverness. There is tons to do in the area. You have the beautiful peaceful country while at the same time a lively night life in Inverness with plenty of pubs and restaurants. I truly feel that renting Clive and Julie’s Cabin is a very special experience that I would recommend to anyone.
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Jaden
17 Jul 2022
We absolutely loved our stay at Siskin Eco Cabin - it was the perfect getaway for us. The site is located in a great location to explore the Black Isle. The cabin is full of charm and so cosy during the evenings, especially with the wood burning stove and radio on. Clive was very accommodating and gave us an excellent tour of the permaculture design incorporated within the site. The breakfast hamper was also a perfect treat, especially the strawberry and blackcurrant jam!
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Priya
25 Jun 2021
We sometimes host volunteers through the seasons as part of the WWOOF scheme, if you are interested in volunteering please see our profile on the WWOOF UK site.
We also welcome visitors by appointment, and hold occasional open days and workshops, follow us on Facebook or Instagram to keep up to date.
Please contact us at [email protected] for more info or to find out more about a slow and sustainable Permaculture inspired holiday! You can also find us on sustainable holiday planner Holiable.com. Look out for details of events on our Facebook page @BIPASCOTLAND.