Ecological Living, Learning and Accommodation in the Highlands
Welcome to Black Isle Permaculture & Arts (BIPA), 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, occasional workshops, 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, and some free range hens. Organic and no dig methods create healthy soil and closed loop systems ensure so nothing is wasted, for example composting, wormeries, mulching, reusing/upcycling materials, and wood processing for firewood and construction.
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.
What a lovely little cottage to escape to. Beautiful and clean with a lovely space to rest.
Retha
11 Sep 2020
Nice experience for staying off-grid. Clive and Julie are nice people willing to tell everything about their permaculture experience. The cabin was lovely and it had...read moreNice experience for staying off-grid. Clive and Julie are nice people willing to tell everything about their permaculture experience. The cabin was lovely and it had everything we needed. Thanks for the experience and looking forward to book this again!read less
Marc
03 Jul 2022
We had a fantastic time at Clive and Julie’s! They were so sincere, kind, and welcoming. They took the time to point out amazing local...read moreWe had a fantastic time at Clive and Julie’s! They were so sincere, kind, and welcoming. They took the time to point out amazing local wildlife and gave us great information about the unique space they have built together. They were extremely responsive and went above and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful stay, providing us with maps and guides for the Isle of Skye, which we drove to as part of our trip to the highlands. They offered to take us on a tour of the property but unfortunately we ran out of time. The cabin was very comfortable and thoughtfully designed. The bucket shower was a big highlight for us 🙂 Overall, this was an inspiring visit to a very special place.read less
Katie
18 Aug 2023
Clive and Julie's woodland cabin was exactly what we'd hoped for and more. Everything was so well thought out and well designed, with everything that...read moreClive and Julie's woodland cabin was exactly what we'd hoped for and more. Everything was so well thought out and well designed, with everything that we needed for a cosy and comfortable stay (the bed was incredible!). We would definitely recommend getting the breakfast hamper - it lasts a good couple of days and contains some amazing homemade goodies. We did this trip using public transport only, and were able to take full advantage of the local bus network and local walks.read less
Clem
17 Jun 2021
Clive and Julies cabin is a beautiful place to stay in a great location. Communication was fantastic and were there if we needed anything! Will...read moreClive and Julies cabin is a beautiful place to stay in a great location. Communication was fantastic and were there if we needed anything! Will definitely be back!read less
Emily
18 Jul 2021
a lovely stay in a well built and supplied cabin in a tranquil little wood.
Euan
10 Aug 2023
The location is absolutely a one of a kind experience. On one hand we came to recharge our batteries and rest, which was perfect at...read moreThe location is absolutely a one of a kind experience. On one hand we came to recharge our batteries and rest, which was perfect at this location. The cabin is at a very quiet location and has a very idyllic look and feel to it. On the other we explored the nearby city of Inverness and other sights. Our host Clive was kind enough to leave instructions on things to do around the towns and city: walks, sights, restaurants, ... We had a wonderful time and definitely recommend this place to others.read less
Annabel
15 Jul 2023
Had a lovely few nights to start off our NC500 trip. The cabin was in a great location for us to travel to all the...read moreHad a lovely few nights to start off our NC500 trip. The cabin was in a great location for us to travel to all the sights we wanted to see. Very cosy and clean especially for being a woodland cabin. Really comfortable bed too.read less
Shannon
04 Jul 2022
Very welcoming host. Super cozy and warm space. Great location.
Léa
14 Aug 2023
This is a beautiful design and incredibly comfortable. Clive and Julie were so informative and helpful. They are so genuine in their sustainability and love...read moreThis is a beautiful design and incredibly comfortable. Clive and Julie were so informative and helpful. They are so genuine in their sustainability and love for the planet. We can't speak highly enough of our stay!read less
Sophie
10 Jul 2022
This is a unique and inspirational place to stay, where hosts Clive and Julie are truly putting into practice their permaculture/eco-living vision! The cabin itself...read moreThis is a unique and inspirational place to stay, where hosts Clive and Julie are truly putting into practice their permaculture/eco-living vision! The cabin itself is set in private woodland and has been beautifully crafted, with the hosts thoughtfully paying attention to every little detail. Would definitely recommend for an off-grid, eco cabin experience, plus it's in a convenient location on the Black Isle to get to other parts of the Highlands too.read less
Rose
20 Aug 2021
Would recommend to stay here again, Clive and Julie were great hosts.
Mollie
28 Jun 2021
We’ve been a LAND (Learning Action Network Demonstration) Centre since 2018, a welcoming 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.
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.
