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 tourist accommodation, occasional workshops, creative residencies and volunteering opportunities focused on regenerative living and gardening with nature.
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. We use organic and no dig methods to create healthy soil, working with closed loop systems 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 (pronounced ‘Col’) The names are derived from the place and nature around them. Siskin is a small bird which is common around the woods, and the title of the Edwyn Collins print hanging in the cabin (which was in a calendar given away when we were in Glasgow!). Coll is Hazel in the Ogham ancient medieval tree alphabet, and the name Kilcoy derives from the Gaelic ‘Cu coille’, meaning ‘nook/neuk of the hazel wood’. 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
Coll Cabin is our slightly larger space, also sleeping two in a comfortable double bed, but with a larger living space, woodburner and also a desk/workspace area if you are looking for a relaxing and creative space.
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A lovely rustic secluded spot, the cabin is wonderfully cosy with the easy to use wood burner. Nothing was too much trouble for Clive and Julie. An inspirational place... read more 
Debbie
1 November 2020 Great place and host, lovely quiet setting in a forest. Get the breakfast hamper it's really good! 
Dave
12 June 2021 We had a great stay at the eco cabin. Wonderful wood fired stove and atmosphere. Easy access to Rosemarie, Inverness, Ben Wyvis, etc. Clive and Julie are great hosts! 
Ross
12 July 2021 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... read more 
Mairi
28 March 2022 - Everything was perfect. Thank you Clive!
Stefano
17 April 2022 We had an amazing week staying at the cabin while we explored the Scottish Highlands. Clive and Julie were super friendly and helpful. The bread in the breakfast hamper was... read more 
Naomi
25 July 2021 "Siskin", the woodland eco-cabin was charming, well equipped, comfortable, a perfect location for varied walking- hill, coast, river bank .Clive and Julie are very kind, attentive hosts. 
David
12 April 2022 Clive and Julie provided us with not just an opportunity to recharge, but a chance to learn and think, and completely on our own terms.
A beautiful space,... read more 
Kenny
18 July 2022 - 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 for the planet. We can't... read more
Sophie
10 July 2022 The cabin was in a lovely private area and was very comfortable. We were doing the NC500 and it was a good base to go and see the things we... read more 
Richard
16 August 2021 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 sights we wanted to see.... read more 
Shannon
4 July 2022 Fantastic little cabin, wonderful hosts and a great weekend. If you're couple looking for a cosy spot to light a fire and enjoy some time away, this is the place.... read more 
Kavan
18 October 2020 - 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... read more
Georgia
24 August 2021 Such a beautiful cabin, with thoughtful touches. Perfect place to explore from, our use as a cosy cabin to hide away and relax. The woodburner keeps you lovely and toasty.... read more 
Faye
27 October 2020 We enjoyed a lovely stay in the cabin. The area is so peaceful and relaxing with just birdsong and sheep for neighbours. The bed was super comfy, and the cabin... read more 
Rachel
2 June 2021 Fantastic stay! So relaxing and plenty to do near by. Clive was a perfect host and kept in touch to check we had everything we needed. Thoroughly recommend this beautiful... read more 
Vicky
5 June 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 website (although we are having a pause from hosting volunteers for the time being)
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 hello@blackislepermacultureandarts.co.uk 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.
