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.
This is such a special place! We feel so privileged to have been able to stay in this beautiful cabin in the woods. Everything about this cabin - the layout and facilities, the perfectly stocked kitchen & dining area, the cosy bed, the wood burner, the homemade soap and eco washing-up liquid - was so thoughtfully done. And in such pretty surrounds - you wake up and you’re gazing out at the trees. This is the perfect retreat. We’ll be back in a heartbeat. Thank you so much, Clive and Julie
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Nishad
09 Sep 2024
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. Close to Inverness, we used as a stop off on our NC 500 trip. Clive was so accommodating and helped us out. We cannot recommend enough!
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Faye
27 Oct 2020
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 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.
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Rose
20 Aug 2021
what a dream! clive’s place shows how easy it is to live a greener life, and still have the comforts one is used to. loved the wood burning stove & the deck out front for morning tea! proactive hosts, friendly, and responsive. would definitely stay again
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Grace
15 Sep 2024
Das Haus war wunderbar gelegen, nicht einmal 15 Minuten von einer Bushaltestelle, welche nach Inverness und tiefer in die Highlands führt, trotzdem ruhig und privat auf dem Grundstück in einem kleinen Waldstück. Die Ausstattung ist besser als beschrieben, so war zum Beispiel die Eimerdusche mit einer Pumpe ausgestattet und die Komposttoilette dank ihrer Bauweise quasi geruchsneutral. Die Küche ist bestens ausgestattet, auch der Rest der Hütte ist mit Decken, Spielen und Büchern und sogar einer Bluetooth Box und Radio. Der Kamin ist ein echtes Highlight und gerade nach Wanderungen im Regen ein wahrer Genuss. Die Gastgeber waren super freundlich, hilfsbereit und konnten zu fast allen Fragen zur Umgebung direkt Auskunft geben. Sie haben sich regelmäßig über die App nach Wünschen und Bedürfnissen erkundigt, uns aber in der Unterkunft selber nie gestartet. Diese Unterkunft ist jedem ans Herz zu legen, UK runterzukommen und von hier aus die Black Isle zu erforschen!
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Caro
17 Jul 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay! All the tips that Clive and Julie suggested were great to explore too. The best part however was staying cosy in the cabin. Loved the book selection and games provided. The breakfast hamper was delicious too! Makes you ponder on how you can live your life more sustainably, so thank you for sparking some creative ideas!
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Georgia
07 Jul 2024
Absolutely stunning location in the woods. There’s just something really special about waking up to the sound of sheep and a forest view. Clive and Julie are lovely hosts and have made us feel very welcomed. Highöy recommend staying at the cabin!
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Lara-Marie
29 May 2022
The cabins are warm and very comfortable . There is everything there for a very cosy week.
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Jenny
07 Aug 2024
Better than expected. Great experience
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Maria
10 Jul 2022
A great experience staying in Clive's eco hut! comfortable bed and very cozy! they have designed the hut so well. Very inspiring and allowed us to be more mindful about our impact on the environment and take new ideas home with us. Would absolutely recommend 😊
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Natalie
05 Aug 2023
Lovely stay, quiet and relaxing!
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Joseph
14 Jul 2024
Clive had excellent tips on local activities. We took his recommendation to walk the ridge above Strathpeffer which was lovely! Gorgeous and peaceful cabin tucked away in the world’s most charming garden. Instructions on how to navigate the eco cabin amenities were clear and easy to follow. Would definitely recommend!
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Catalina
28 Jul 2024
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
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